Happy Birthday, Duke! Duke Ellington was born on this date 125 years ago. Today also marks the 7th anniversary for podcast/blog Ellington Reflections. I’m currently editing my Cootie Williams biography and securing the necessary image permissions, so it may be a few months before the podcast episodes return. In the meantime, please enjoy 2019’s…

Ellington Reflections

01.03.2024

Portrait of Mercer Ellington, Part I (Podcast #24-002) | Ellington Reflections

Mercer Ellington, son of Duke Ellington, is an underrated contributor to the world of Ellingtonia.

Ellington Reflections

01.02.2024

Portrait of Jimmy Jones (Podcast #24-001) | Ellington Reflections

Details to follow!!!!!

Ellington Reflections

30.12.2023

Portrait of Harold “Shorty” Baker (Podcast #23-011) | Ellington Reflections

Duke Ellington said of trumpeter Harold "Shorty" Baker that "his way of playing a melody was absolutely personal, and he had no bad notes at all."

Ellington Reflections

02.12.2023

Portrait of Wellman Braud (Podcast #23-010) | Ellington Reflections

"Bill "Bojangles" Robinson and Wellman Braud were like Jelly [Roll Morton]; they'd talk as long as anyone would listen and hung around outside the Band Box. After Braud got written up in Ripley's "Believe It or Not" column, he was too big for anybody. Ripley said he could pick faster than any bass player. He…

Ellington Reflections

30.10.2023

Side by Side and Back to Back (Podcast #23-009) | Ellington Reflections

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kECuMV3T8xs The recordings heard on this podcast episode: Wallace Jones, Cootie Williams, Rex Stewart – trumpet; Lawrence Brown, Joe Nanton, Juan Tizol – trombone; Barney Bigard, Johnny Hodges, Otto Hardwicke, Harry Carney – reeds; Duke Ellington – piano; Fred Guy – guitar; Billy Taylor – bass; Sonny Greer – drums. — Our closing music—-…

Ellington Reflections

13.10.2023

Portrait of Arthur Whetsel (Podcast #23-008) | Ellington Reflections

"As a trumpet player, [Arthur Whetsel] had a tonal personality that has never really been duplicated. Sweet, but not syrupy, nor schmaltzy, nor surrealistic, it had a superiority of extrasensory dimensions. Both as a soloist and from the point of view of teamwork, he was a fine musician. Everything with him had to be of…

Ellington Reflections

30.08.2023

Portrait of Norris Turney (Podcast #23-007) | Ellington Reflections

Multi-reedman Norris Turney became the first flute soloist featured with the Duke Ellington Orchestra. He was with the band for 4 years, leaving in 1973.

Ellington Reflections

30.07.2023

Togo Brava Suite (Podcast #23-006) | Ellington Reflections

In 1967, the west African nation of Togo released a postage stamp of Duke Ellington. Ellington reciprocated by writing the four movement Togo Brava Suite in 1971, the subject of this month’s episode of Ellington Reflections.

Ellington Reflections

29.05.2023

Suite Thursday (Podcast #23-0005) | Ellington Reflections

"Then in 1960 we came up with Suite Thursday for the Monterey Festival that year...we tried to parallel John Steinbeck's story, "Sweet Thursday," which was set in Monterey's Cannery Row." Duke Ellington, Music is my Mistress https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YAfaGO-qrU The recordings heard on this podcast episode: Misfit Blues/Schwiphti [from “Suite Thursday”] (CD: “The Great Paris Concert” Collectables 7818)…

Ellington Reflections

29.04.2023

Parisian Birthday Celebration (Podcast #23-004) | Ellington Reflections

Celebrating the 124th anniversary of the birth of Duke Ellington and the 6th birthday for Ellington Reflections with a Parisian themed episode in honor of the 2023 Ellington Conference being held in the City of Lights.

Ellington Reflections

31.03.2023

Ellington 2023 – Duke and the Lights (Podcast #23-003) | Ellington Reflections

Since 1981, Ellington experts from around the world have been meeting every year in order to exchange and share their knowledge about Duke Ellington’s work and life. After the US, England, Canada, Denmark, Sweden and the Netherlands, La Maison du Duke welcomes for the first time in France the international symposium dedicated to one of…

Ellington Reflections

02.03.2023

One More Once… (Podcast #23-002) | Ellington Reflections

Just a few items I either omitted unknowingly, or due to time, or just not having access to at the time.

Ellington Reflections

30.01.2023

Reminiscing In Tempo (Podcast #23-001) | Ellington Reflections

Reminiscing In Tempo is one of Duke Ellington’s most personal compositions. In was written in memory of his mother, Daisy Kennedy Ellington.

Ellington Reflections

30.12.2022

Cootie plays Duke, Part II (Podcast #22-013) | Ellington Reflections

During his 22 year sabbatical from the Duke Ellington orchestra, Cootie Williams continued to feature music from the Ellington songbook.

Ellington Reflections

30.11.2022

Cootie plays Duke, Part I (Podcast #22-012) | Ellington Reflections

During his 22 year sabbatical from the Duke Ellington orchestra, Cootie Williams continued to feature music from the Ellington songbook.

Ellington Reflections

29.11.2022

When Cootie Left the Duke, Pt. II (Podcast #17-010) | Ellington Reflections

Cootie Williams starts his own big band after a year long stint with Benny Goodman.

Ellington Reflections

29.11.2022

Portrait of Mahalia Jackson (Podcast #17-006) | Ellington Reflections

Gospel singer Mahalia Jackson and the Ellington orchestra meet in 1958.

Ellington Reflections

29.11.2022

When Cootie Left the Duke, Pt. I (Podcast #17-009) | Ellington Reflections

After 11 years with Duke Ellington, Cootie Williams leaves to join Benny Goodman.

Ellington Reflections

29.11.2022

Season’s Greetings! (Podcast #17-017) | Ellington Reflections

Happy Holidays from Ellington Reflections! We will return with new bi-weekly episodes on 20 January 2018..

Ellington Reflections

29.11.2022

When Cootie Left the Duke, Pt. III (Podcast #17-011) | Ellington Reflections

Cootie disbanded his big band in 1947. This episode covers the period of 1947 up until 1962, the year Cootie rejoined Ellington.

Ellington Reflections

29.11.2022

Duke Ellington’s “String Section” (Podcast #18-005) | Ellington Reflections

This episode focuses on the violin of the multi-talented Ray Nance...

Ellington Reflections

29.11.2022

Introduction (Podcast #17-001) | Ellington Reflections

An overview of the format of the "Ellington Reflections" podcast series.

Ellington Reflections

29.11.2022

Reflections on “The Far East Suite” (Podcast #17-007) | Ellington Reflections

Examining different interpretations of Ellington's Far East Suite

Ellington Reflections

29.11.2022

Portrait of Ben Webster, Pt. I (Podcast #18-002) | Ellington Reflections

The addition of Ben Webster in 1940 permanently brought Ellington's saxophone section to five members. But Webster's tenor voice was to impact the band far beyond his four year tenure.

Ellington Reflections

29.11.2022

The Cinematic Ellington (Podcast #17-016) | Ellington Reflections

A survey of Duke Ellington's film appearances and soundtracks.

Ellington Reflections

29.11.2022

Ellington & 100 years of Thelonious Monk and Dizzy Gillespie (Podcast #17-013) | Ellington Reflections

Celebrating the 100th birth anniversaries of Thelonious Monk and Dizzy Gillespie through their connections with Duke Ellington.

Ellington Reflections

29.11.2022

“Take A Train” (Podcast #17-004) | Ellington Reflections

Trains were a preferred mode of transportation for Duke Ellington and he captured their essence in several great compositions.

Ellington Reflections

29.11.2022

Sittin’ In (Podcast #18-004) | Ellington Reflections

Over a half century, Ellington crossed paths with many illustrious musicians....

Ellington Reflections

29.11.2022

Piano in the Foreground (Podcast #17-008) | Ellington Reflections

We feature piano versions of Ellington's music, by the Maestro himself and other giants like Hines, Tyner, Waller, Tatum and others....

Ellington Reflections

29.11.2022

Reflections from the Avant Garde (Podcast #17-014) | Ellington Reflections

Sun Ra, Cecil Taylor, Archie Shepp and others interpret Ellington's music.

Ellington Reflections

29.11.2022

Portrait of Clark Terry (Podcast #17-003) | Ellington Reflections

Trumpet virtuoso and flugelhorn pioneer Clark Terry was a featured soloist with the Ellington band from 1951-1959

Ellington Reflections

29.11.2022

Beyond “The Usual Suspects” (Podcast #18-001) | Ellington Reflections

Featuring rarely covered Ellington compositions

Ellington Reflections

29.11.2022

Portrait of Ben Webster, Pt. II (Podcast #18-003) | Ellington Reflections

A look at the music of Ben Webster after his tenure with the Duke Ellington Orchestra.

Ellington Reflections

29.11.2022

Portrait of Barney Bigard (Podcast #17-012) | Ellington Reflections

New Orleanian Barney Bigard joined the Ellington band in December 1927 and left in 1942 after tiring of life on the road.

Ellington Reflections

29.11.2022

The River (Podcast #17-015) | Ellington Reflections

Ellington was commissioned by the American Ballet Theatre to write a ballet, which became "The River" in 1970.

Ellington Reflections

29.11.2022

Diminuendo in Blue and Crescendo in Blue (Podcast #17-002) | Ellington Reflections

Duke Ellington's career is given a boost by the 1956 Newport Jazz Festival by a spirited performance of a pair of vintage compositions.

Ellington Reflections

29.11.2022

Harlem (Podcast #17-005) | Ellington Reflections

Duke Ellington lived in Harlem and celebrated the city and the people in song.

home›Ellington Reflections›Music

Ellington Reflections - Music

Portrait of Mercer Ellington, Part III (Podcast #24-005) | Ellington Reflections

Portrait of Mercer Ellington, Part II (Podcast #24-004) | Ellington Reflections

Happy Birthday, Duke! (Podcast #24-003) | Ellington Reflections

Portrait of Mercer Ellington, Part I (Podcast #24-002) | Ellington Reflections

Portrait of Jimmy Jones (Podcast #24-001) | Ellington Reflections

Portrait of Harold “Shorty” Baker (Podcast #23-011) | Ellington Reflections

Portrait of Wellman Braud (Podcast #23-010) | Ellington Reflections

Side by Side and Back to Back (Podcast #23-009) | Ellington Reflections

Portrait of Arthur Whetsel (Podcast #23-008) | Ellington Reflections

Portrait of Norris Turney (Podcast #23-007) | Ellington Reflections

Togo Brava Suite (Podcast #23-006) | Ellington Reflections

Suite Thursday (Podcast #23-0005) | Ellington Reflections

Parisian Birthday Celebration (Podcast #23-004) | Ellington Reflections

Ellington 2023 – Duke and the Lights (Podcast #23-003) | Ellington Reflections

One More Once… (Podcast #23-002) | Ellington Reflections

Reminiscing In Tempo (Podcast #23-001) | Ellington Reflections

Cootie plays Duke, Part II (Podcast #22-013) | Ellington Reflections

Cootie plays Duke, Part I (Podcast #22-012) | Ellington Reflections

When Cootie Left the Duke, Pt. II (Podcast #17-010) | Ellington Reflections

Portrait of Mahalia Jackson (Podcast #17-006) | Ellington Reflections

When Cootie Left the Duke, Pt. I (Podcast #17-009) | Ellington Reflections

Season’s Greetings! (Podcast #17-017) | Ellington Reflections

When Cootie Left the Duke, Pt. III (Podcast #17-011) | Ellington Reflections

Duke Ellington’s “String Section” (Podcast #18-005) | Ellington Reflections

Introduction (Podcast #17-001) | Ellington Reflections

Reflections on “The Far East Suite” (Podcast #17-007) | Ellington Reflections

Portrait of Ben Webster, Pt. I (Podcast #18-002) | Ellington Reflections

The Cinematic Ellington (Podcast #17-016) | Ellington Reflections

Ellington & 100 years of Thelonious Monk and Dizzy Gillespie (Podcast #17-013) | Ellington Reflections

“Take A Train” (Podcast #17-004) | Ellington Reflections

Sittin’ In (Podcast #18-004) | Ellington Reflections

Piano in the Foreground (Podcast #17-008) | Ellington Reflections

Reflections from the Avant Garde (Podcast #17-014) | Ellington Reflections

Portrait of Clark Terry (Podcast #17-003) | Ellington Reflections

Beyond “The Usual Suspects” (Podcast #18-001) | Ellington Reflections

Portrait of Ben Webster, Pt. II (Podcast #18-003) | Ellington Reflections

Portrait of Barney Bigard (Podcast #17-012) | Ellington Reflections

The River (Podcast #17-015) | Ellington Reflections

Diminuendo in Blue and Crescendo in Blue (Podcast #17-002) | Ellington Reflections

Harlem (Podcast #17-005) | Ellington Reflections

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