On Duke Ellington’s birthday

Edward Kennedy Ellington was born 126 years ago today. Ellington has been part of my musical life since I was a teenager. His music never fades.

Here are two versions of “In a Sentimental Mood,” a particularly ethereal Ellington composition:

From April 30, 1935, Duke Ellington and His Orchestra: Rex Stewart, cornet; Cootie Williams, Arthur Whetsel, trumpets; Joe “Tricky Sam Nanton, Lawrence Brown, trombone; Juan Tizol, valve trombone; Barney Bigard, Johnny Hodges, Otto Hardwick, Harry Carney, reeds; Ellington, piano; Fred Guy, guitar; Billy Taylor, bass; Sonny Greer, drums The soloists are Ellington, Hardwick (alto), Carney (baritone), Stewart, Brown, Stewart, Brown.

And from September 26, 1962, a small-group recording, with John Coltrane, tenor; Ellington, piano; Aaron Bell, bass; and Elvin Jones, drums. This recording has been sampled at least thirty-two times.

Related reading
All OCA Ellington posts (Pinboard)