Duke in Blue

by Ellis Marsalis

Overview

Recorded during Duke Ellington's centennial year, this solo piano date by Ellis Marsalis is a tasteful tribute to Ellington. Marsalis expertly performs 15 songs from Duke's repertoire (including three tunes in a medley), sometimes modernizing the chords but always keeping the melody close by. The problem with the recital from the listener's standpoint is that the results are mostly very predictable and contain no real surprises. Marsalis' theme variations do not wander far from the melody, his treatments are conventional, and most of the songs are familiar warhorses. So although successful as background music or as an introduction to some of Ellington's most popular melodies, jazz listeners wanting more adventure and chance-taking may be a little disappointed by the safeness of it all. ~ Scott Yanow

Product Details

Release Date:	11/02/1999
Label:	Sony Music Distribution
UPC:	0074646363126
Rank:	7833

Tracks

1. The Mooche
2. Prelude to a Kiss
3. Squatty Roo
4. Sophisticated Lady
5. Just Squeeze Me (But Don't Tease Me)
6. Mood Indigo
7. Caravan
8. Come Sunday
9. Creole Love Call
10. Reflections in D
11. Drop Me Off in Harlem
12. Melancholia
13. Medley: I'm Beginning to See the Light/Do Nothin' Till You Hear ...
14. Duke in Blue

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Ellis Marsalis   Primary Artist,Piano

Technical Credits

Don George   Composer
Duke Ellington   Composer
Irving Gordon   Composer
Irving Mills   Composer
Juan Tizol   Composer
Nick A. Kenny   Composer
Johnny Hodges   Composer
Mitchell Parish   Composer
Patrick Smith   Engineer
Ellis Marsalis   Composer,Liner Notes
Lee Gaines   Composer
Barney Bigard   Composer
Delfeayo Marsalis   Producer
Harry James   Composer
Cannon   Stylist
Kwaku Alston   Photography
Kerstin Bach   Art Direction
Bob Russel   Composer