It doesn't get any better!

[ReformedDave]

Every once in a long while someone comes along with such genius that the world in which that person occupies is changed forever. That was the way with America's greatest composer Duke Ellington.

Here's a great clip of his orchestra premiering a new song that was so new the band had to read it live for the concert from the manuscripts. Duke had the most beautiful alto player, Johnny Hodges, and Duke held the music up for him to read. Hodges had the most lush tone of any known sax player and could play ballads like none other.

Duke used such interesting orchestrations that were deceptively simple yet exquisite. Please enjoy.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2U1MGX8SLU

[StillStanding]

Thanks for this!

I LOVE Big Band Era Music!!

[ReformedDave]

Originally Posted by Pianoman

Thanks for this!

I LOVE Big Band Era Music!!

I've met guys who played for Duke and they all said it was like going conservatory.....and they all him Maestro!

So thankful he was still around when I was born.

[Carpenter]

whoosh I am almost in tears after hearing that...

Thanks Dave.

I played the Sax and tried to accumulate all the sax music I could in Jr. High...too bad no one turned me onto the old stuff.

[StMark]

Dave I love that

Duke was truely a genius


I know it sounds odd, but the musicians of that era,
when they played, it was almost like their souls crying out

[ReformedDave]

One more for you guys that love Ellingtonia!

He's Hodges again on one of Duke's greatest tunes- Day Dream- Not a 'live' video but so beautiful never the less. Enjoy.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=-iJU8ec0DWk

[ReformedDave]

Just one more- The great tenor sax, Ben Webster, is considered one of the titans of the tenor during the swing era and played in Duke's band.

In this video Webster is at the end of his life, living in Sweden, and an alcoholic. He just received word that his great buddy, the above Johnny Hodges, had just died so he dedicated this song to Hodges memory. Ironically the song has the title "Old Folks". Ben really plays his heart out unlike anything I've heard. Ben always played with his heart on his sleeve.

See if you agree.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQVVLAO-9LU

[Rico]

And here I thought this thread was gonna be about beer! Good stuff RD!

[OnenessWoman]

I only waited for the first one... My husband got up and closed the door that was between us because he didn't want to hear it. My son came and watched...and we agreed that it was nice, but sleepy. lol

[Rico]

Originally Posted by OnenessWoman

I only waited for the first one... My husband got up and closed the door that was between us because he didn't want to hear it. My son came and watched...and we agreed that it was nice, but sleepy. lol

A lot of the music back then had a sort of lulling effect. Maybe that's why they call it swing, cause it's kinda like swinging on a porch swing?