Highlights From the Duke Ellington Centennial Edition (1927 – 1973)

~ Release by Duke Ellington & His Orchestra (see all versions of this release, 1 available)

Annotation

3 CD set in a fatbox case, with a cardboard slipcase
Booklet shows a few errors in personnel or dates
1-14: actual recording date perhaps March 6, 1940
1-15, 1-16: actual recording date May 4, 1940
3-10: no drums or bass on this recording

Annotation last modified on 2025-06-27 12:20 UTC.

Tracklist

1▶CD
2▼CD
#TitleRatingLength
1Sepia Panorama
recording of:
Sepia Panorama
composer:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader)
3:26
2Sophisticated Lady
double bass:
Jimmy Blanton (on 1940-10-01)
piano:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) (on 1940-10-01)
recording of:
Sophisticated Lady (on 1940-10-01)
lyricist:
Mitchell Parish and Irving Mills (in 1932)
composer:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) (in 1932)
publisher:
Duke Ellington Music (ended), Mills Music, Inc. (ended), EMI Mills Music Inc. (ASCAP-affiliated), Famous Music Corporation (renamed since 2007‐05 as Sony/ATV Harmony/Melody) (until 2007-05) and Sony/ATV Harmony (from 2007-05 to present)
part of:
Sophisticated Ladies (1981 musical)
part of:
The Real Book (compilation of jazz standards, volume I)
2:56
3Day Dream
recorded in:
Chicago, Illinois, United States (on 1940-11-02)
alto saxophone:
Harry Carney (on 1940-11-02) and Johnny Hodges (on 1940-11-02)
baritone saxophone:
Harry Carney (on 1940-11-02)
double bass [bass]:
Jimmie Blanton (on 1940-11-02)
drums (drum set) [drums]:
Sonny Greer (on 1940-11-02)
piano:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) (on 1940-11-02)
trombone:
Lawrence Brown (jazz trombonist) (on 1940-11-02)
trumpet:
Cootie Williams (on 1940-11-02)
recording of:
Day Dream (on 1940-11-02)
lyricist:
John Latouche (in 1941)
composer:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) (in 1941) and Billy Strayhorn (in 1941)
2:58
4A Lull at Dawn
3:29
5Take the “A” Train
alto saxophone:
Harry Carney (on 1941-02-15), Otto Hardwick (on 1941-02-15) and Johnny Hodges (on 1941-02-15)
baritone saxophone:
Harry Carney (on 1941-02-15)
clarinet:
Barney Bigard (on 1941-02-15), Harry Carney (on 1941-02-15) and Johnny Hodges (on 1941-02-15)
cornet:
Rex Stewart (on 1941-02-15)
double bass [bass]:
Jimmie Blanton (on 1941-02-15)
drums (drum set) [drums]:
Sonny Greer (on 1941-02-15)
guitar:
Fred Guy (on 1941-02-15)
piano:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) (on 1941-02-15)
tenor saxophone:
Barney Bigard (on 1941-02-15) and Ben Webster (on 1941-02-15)
trombone:
Lawrence Brown (jazz trombonist) (on 1941-02-15) and Joe Nanton (on 1941-02-15)
trumpet:
Wallace Jones (on 1941-02-15) and Ray Nance (on 1941-02-15)
valve trombone:
Juan Tizol (on 1941-02-15)
recording of:
Take the “A” Train (version with lyrics by Sherrill) (on 1941-02-15)
lyricist:
Joya Sherrill (in 1944)
composer:
Billy Strayhorn (in 1939)
publisher:
Music Sales Corporation (American copyright holder in both popular and classical music)
version of:
Take the “A” Train (original instrumental version)
12:57
6Just A‐Sittin’ and A‐Rockin’
recording of:
Just A‐Sittin’ and A‐Rockin’ (on 1941-06-05)
lyricist:
Lee Gaines (in 1941)
composer:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) (in 1941) and Billy Strayhorn (in 1941)
3:36
7I Got It Bad (and That Ain’t Good)
recorded in:
Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, United States (on 1941-06-26)
alto saxophone:
Harry Carney (on 1941-06-26), Otto Hardwick (on 1941-06-26) and Johnny Hodges (on 1941-06-26)
baritone saxophone:
Harry Carney (on 1941-06-26)
celesta [celeste] and piano:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) (on 1941-06-26)
clarinet:
Barney Bigard (on 1941-06-26), Harry Carney (on 1941-06-26) and Johnny Hodges (on 1941-06-26)
cornet:
Rex Stewart (on 1941-06-26)
double bass [bass]:
Jimmie Blanton (on 1941-06-26)
drums (drum set) [drums]:
Sonny Greer (on 1941-06-26)
guitar:
Fred Guy (on 1941-06-26)
tenor saxophone:
Barney Bigard (on 1941-06-26) and Ben Webster (on 1941-06-26)
trombone:
Lawrence Brown (jazz trombonist) (on 1941-06-26) and Joe Nanton (on 1941-06-26)
trumpet:
Wallace Jones (on 1941-06-26) and Cootie Williams (on 1941-06-26)
valve trombone:
Juan Tizol (on 1941-06-26)
vocals:
Ivie Anderson (on 1941-06-26)
recording of:
I Got It Bad (and That Ain’t Good) (on 1941-06-26)
lyricist:
Paul Francis Webster (in 1941)
composer:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) (in 1941)
publisher:
EMI Robbins Catalog Inc. (ASCAP), Robbins Music Corp., Sony/ATV Harmony and Webster Music Co.
part of:
The Real Book (compilation of jazz standards, volume I)
3:21
8Passion Flower
alto saxophone:
Johnny Hodges (on 1941-07-03)
baritone saxophone:
Harry Carney (on 1941-07-03)
double bass:
Jimmy Blanton (on 1941-07-03)
drums (drum set):
Sonny Greer (on 1941-07-03)
guitar:
Fred Guy (on 1941-07-03)
piano:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) (on 1941-07-03)
reeds:
Barney Bigard (on 1941-07-03)
trombone:
Lawrence Brown (jazz trombonist) (on 1941-07-03)
trumpet:
Ray Nance (on 1941-07-03)
recording of:
Passion Flower (on 1941-07-03)
composer:
Billy Strayhorn
publisher:
Tempo Music, Inc. (Duke Ellington’s music publishing company)
3:10
9Things Ain’t What They Used to Be
alto saxophone:
Johnny Hodges (on 1941-07-03)
baritone saxophone:
Harry Carney (on 1941-07-03)
double bass:
Jimmy Blanton (on 1941-07-03)
drums (drum set):
Sonny Greer (on 1941-07-03)
guitar:
Fred Guy (on 1941-07-03)
piano:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) (on 1941-07-03)
reeds:
Barney Bigard (on 1941-07-03)
trombone:
Lawrence Brown (jazz trombonist) (on 1941-07-03)
trumpet:
Ray Nance (on 1941-07-03)
recording of:
Things Ain’t What They Used to Be (on 1941-07-03)
lyricist:
Ted Persons
composer:
Mercer Ellington (in 1942)
publisher:
Tempo Music, Inc. (Duke Ellington’s music publishing company)
3:39
10Rocks in My Bed
vocals:
Ivie Anderson (on 1941-09-26)
recording of:
Rocks in My Bed (on 1941-09-26)
lyricist and composer:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) (in 1941)
3:09
11Chelsea Bridge
alto saxophone:
Otto Hardwick (on 1941-12-02)
alto saxophone and clarinet:
Johnny Hodges (on 1941-12-02)
alto saxophone, baritone saxophone and clarinet:
Harry Carney (on 1941-12-02)
clarinet and tenor saxophone:
Barney Bigard (on 1941-12-02)
cornet:
Rex Stewart (on 1941-12-02)
double bass:
Junior Raglin (bass) (on 1941-12-02)
drums (drum set):
Sonny Greer (on 1941-12-02)
guitar:
Fred Guy (on 1941-12-02)
piano:
Billy Strayhorn (on 1941-12-02)
tenor saxophone:
Ben Webster (on 1941-12-02)
trombone:
Lawrence Brown (jazz trombonist) (on 1941-12-02) and Joe "Tricky Sam" Nanton (on 1941-12-02)
trumpet:
Wallace Jones (on 1941-12-02) and Ray Nance (on 1941-12-02)
valve trombone:
Juan Tizol (on 1941-12-02)
arranger:
Billy Strayhorn (on 1941-12-02)
recording of:
Chelsea Bridge (on 1941-12-02)
composer:
Billy Strayhorn (in 1941)
publisher:
Tempo Music, Inc. (Duke Ellington’s music publishing company)
2:56
12Perdido
recording of:
Perdido (original instrumental version)
composer:
Juan Tizol
3:10
13I’m Beginning to See the Light (take 2)
alto saxophone:
Otto Hardwick (on 1944-12-01) and Johnny Hodges (on 1944-12-01)
double bass:
Junior Raglin (bass) (on 1944-12-01)
drums (drum set):
Hillard Brown (on 1944-12-01) and Sonny Greer (on 1944-12-01)
guitar:
Fred Guy (on 1944-12-01)
piano:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) (on 1944-12-01)
reeds:
Harry Carney (on 1944-12-01), Jimmy Hamilton (US jazz clarinettist/saxophonist, arranger, composer) (on 1944-12-01) and Otto Hardwick (on 1944-12-01)
tenor saxophone:
Al Sears (on 1944-12-01)
trombone:
Lawrence Brown (jazz trombonist) (on 1944-12-01), Claude Jones (on 1944-12-01) and Joe "Tricky Sam" Nanton (on 1944-12-01)
trumpet:
William “Cat” Anderson (on 1944-12-01), Shelton "Scad" Hemphill (on 1944-12-01), Taft Jordan (on 1944-12-01) and Ray Nance (on 1944-12-01)
vocals:
Joya Sherrill (on 1944-12-01)
recording of:
I’m Beginning to See the Light (on 1944-12-01)
lyricist:
Don George (US songwriter/composer, 1909–1987) (in 1944)
writer:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader)
composer:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) (in 1944), Johnny Hodges (in 1944) and Harry James (US big band leader, trumpeter & actor) (in 1944)
publisher:
Anne-Rachel Music Corp.
3:14
14Work Song
4:36
15Caravan
alto saxophone:
Otto Hardwick (on 1945-05-11) and Johnny Hodges (on 1945-05-11)
double bass:
Junior Raglin (bass) (on 1945-05-11)
drums (drum set):
Sonny Greer (on 1945-05-11)
guitar:
Fred Guy (on 1945-05-11)
piano:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) (on 1945-05-11)
reeds:
Harry Carney (on 1945-05-11) and Jimmy Hamilton (US jazz clarinettist/saxophonist, arranger, composer) (on 1945-05-11)
tenor saxophone:
Al Sears (on 1945-05-11)
trombone:
Lawrence Brown (jazz trombonist) (on 1945-05-11), Claude Jones (on 1945-05-11) and Joe "Tricky Sam" Nanton (on 1945-05-11)
trumpet:
William “Cat” Anderson (on 1945-05-11), Shelton "Scad" Hemphill (on 1945-05-11), Taft Jordan (on 1945-05-11), Ray Nance (on 1945-05-11) and Rex Stewart (on 1945-05-11)
recording of:
Caravan (on 1945-05-11)
lyricist:
Irving Mills (in 1937)
composer:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) (in 1936) and Juan Tizol (in 1936)
publisher:
American Academy of Music, Inc., Duke Ellington Music, EMI Mills Music Inc. (ASCAP-affiliated), Famous Music Corporation (renamed since 2007‐05 as Sony/ATV Harmony/Melody), Mills Music, Inc., Sony/ATV Harmony and Lafleur Music Ltd. (from 1995-12-12 to present)
2:47
16The Minor Goes Muggin’
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (on 1945-05-14)
alto saxophone:
Gus Bivona (on 1945-05-14), Bruce Branson (on 1945-05-14) and Sid Cooper (flute & clarinet player) (on 1945-05-14)
baritone saxophone:
Bruce Branson (on 1945-05-14)
cello [2 cellos], harp, viola [2 violas] and violin [14 violins]:
[unknown] (Special Purpose Artist – Do not add releases here, if possible.) (on 1945-05-14)
clarinet and reeds:
Gus Bivona (on 1945-05-14)
double bass:
Bob Haggart (on 1945-05-14) and Sid Block (Jazz bassist, band leader) (on 1945-05-14)
drums (drum set):
Buddy Rich (on 1945-05-14)
guitar:
Bob Bain (guitarist) (on 1945-05-14)
piano:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) (on 1945-05-14)
tenor saxophone:
Babe Fresk (on 1945-05-14) and Vido Musso (on 1945-05-14)
trombone:
Tommy Dorsey (swing trombone player & band leader) (on 1945-05-14), Karl de Karske (on 1945-05-14), Dick Noel (trombone) (on 1945-05-14) and Tex Satterwhite (on 1945-05-14)
trumpet:
Gerry Goff (on 1945-05-14), Mickey Mangano (on 1945-05-14), George Seaberg (on 1945-05-14) and Charlie Shavers (on 1945-05-14)
tuba:
Joseph Park (on 1945-05-14)
arranger:
Sy Oliver (on 1945-05-14)
recording of:
The Minor Goes Muggin’ (on 1945-05-14)
composer:
Sy Oliver
3:03
17Tonk
piano:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) (on 1946-01-10) and Billy Strayhorn (on 1946-01-10)
recording of:
Tonk (on 1946-01-10)
composer:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) and Billy Strayhorn
2:48
18Just Squeeze Me (but Don’t Tease Me)
3:17
3▶CD