A look at the great, underrated tenor saxophonist in Ellington's late band, Harold Ashby. Continue reading →

Joya Sherrill was a featured vocalist with the Ellington orchestra from 1944 to 1946, but returned periodically in subsequent years. One of Ellington'...

Valve trombonist Juan Tizol (1900-84) was an important member of the Ellington band. Besides instrumental duties, he was a composer, arranger and copy...

“Sometimes we would write something that seemed or was expected to be below bland, but when Sam added his thing to it, immediately it took on a new di...

Billy Strayhorn wrote "Take the "A" Train," which became the band's theme song in 1941. We survey a number of diverse treatments from a thirty year pe...

Rex Stewart played cornet in the Ellington and from 1934-45. Part II of a look at Stewart's work with the band and the years beyond. Continue reading ...

“…[H]e was an exciting player who made a big contribution during the years he was with us –  1934-45. He was extremely versatile and we made use of hi...

Most Duke Ellington tribute concerts and recordings rely on just a handful of his compositions (Mood Indigo, Satin Doll, In A Sentimental Mood, etc.)....

Dr. Lisa M. Clark’s thesis, Synchrony of the Sublime: A Performer ‘s Guide to Duke Ellington’s Wordless Melodies for Soprano can be found here Adelaid...

More covers of Ellington compositions that deserve wider exposure. Continue reading →