Duke Ellington: The Complete 1936–1940 Variety, Vocalion and Okeh Small Group Sessions

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

Annotation

The discography for this release is available at the Mosaic Records site here. Session discography on the "Ellingtonia" site.

Annotation last modified on 2025-12-03 12:05 UTC.

Tracklist

1▼CD
#TitleArtistRatingLength
1Tough Truckin’
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (from 1935-03-05 until 1935-03-06)
baritone saxophone:
Harry Carney (from 1935-03-05 until 1935-03-06)
cornet:
Rex Stewart (from 1935-03-05 until 1935-03-06)
double bass:
Wellman Braud (from 1935-03-05 until 1935-03-06) and Billy Taylor Sr. (jazz bassist) (from 1935-03-05 until 1935-03-06)
piano:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) (from 1935-03-05 until 1935-03-06)
soprano saxophone:
Johnny Hodges (from 1935-03-05 until 1935-03-06)
performer:
The Duke Ellington Sextet (from 1935-03-05 until 1935-03-06)
Duke Ellington’s Sextet3:05
2Tough Truckin’ (alternate take)
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (from 1935-03-05 until 1935-03-06)
baritone saxophone:
Harry Carney (from 1935-03-05 until 1935-03-06)
cornet:
Rex Stewart (from 1935-03-05 until 1935-03-06)
double bass:
Wellman Braud (from 1935-03-05 until 1935-03-06) and Billy Taylor Sr. (jazz bassist) (from 1935-03-05 until 1935-03-06)
piano:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) (from 1935-03-05 until 1935-03-06)
soprano saxophone:
Johnny Hodges (from 1935-03-05 until 1935-03-06)
performer:
The Duke Ellington Sextet (from 1935-03-05 until 1935-03-06)
Duke Ellington’s Sextet2:47
3Indigo Echoes
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (from 1935-03-05 until 1935-03-06)
baritone saxophone:
Harry Carney (from 1935-03-05 until 1935-03-06)
cornet:
Rex Stewart (from 1935-03-05 until 1935-03-06)
double bass:
Wellman Braud (from 1935-03-05 until 1935-03-06) and Billy Taylor Sr. (jazz bassist) (from 1935-03-05 until 1935-03-06)
piano:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) (from 1935-03-05 until 1935-03-06)
soprano saxophone:
Johnny Hodges (from 1935-03-05 until 1935-03-06)
performer:
The Duke Ellington Sextet (from 1935-03-05 until 1935-03-06)
Duke Ellington’s Sextet2:50
4Indigo Echoes (alternate take)
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (from 1935-03-05 until 1935-03-06)
baritone saxophone:
Harry Carney (from 1935-03-05 until 1935-03-06)
cornet:
Rex Stewart (from 1935-03-05 until 1935-03-06)
double bass:
Wellman Braud (from 1935-03-05 until 1935-03-06) and Billy Taylor Sr. (jazz bassist) (from 1935-03-05 until 1935-03-06)
piano:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) (from 1935-03-05 until 1935-03-06)
soprano saxophone:
Johnny Hodges (from 1935-03-05 until 1935-03-06)
performer:
The Duke Ellington Sextet (from 1935-03-05 until 1935-03-06)
Duke Ellington’s Sextet2:46
5Rexatious (alternate take)
recorded in:
Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, United States (on 1936-12-16)
cornet:
Rex Stewart (on 1936-12-16)
double bass:
Billy Taylor Sr. (jazz bassist) (on 1936-12-16)
drums (drum set):
Sonny Greer (on 1936-12-16)
guitar:
Ceele Burke (on 1936-12-16)
reeds:
Harry Carney (on 1936-12-16)
saxophone:
Johnny Hodges (on 1936-12-16)
trombone:
Lawrence Brown (jazz trombonist) (on 1936-12-16)
performer:
Rex Stewart and His 52nd Street Stompers (on 1936-12-16)
recorded at:
Recordings Incorporated (Hollywood) in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, United States
part of:
Master Records, Inc. (by matrix number) (number: B-4369-B)
recording of:
Rexatious (a.k.a. Rexercise) (on 1936-12-16)
composer:
Rex Stewart
Rex Stewart & His 52nd Street Stompers2:46
6Rexatious
recorded in:
Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, United States (on 1936-12-16)
cornet:
Rex Stewart (on 1936-12-16)
double bass:
Billy Taylor Sr. (jazz bassist) (on 1936-12-16)
drums (drum set):
Sonny Greer (on 1936-12-16)
guitar:
Ceele Burke (on 1936-12-16)
reeds:
Harry Carney (on 1936-12-16)
saxophone:
Johnny Hodges (on 1936-12-16)
trombone:
Lawrence Brown (jazz trombonist) (on 1936-12-16)
performer:
Rex Stewart and His 52nd Street Stompers (on 1936-12-16)
recorded at:
Recordings Incorporated (Hollywood) in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, United States
recording of:
Rexatious (a.k.a. Rexercise) (on 1936-12-16)
composer:
Rex Stewart
Rex Stewart & His 52nd Street Stompers2:46
7Lazy Man’s Shuffle
recorded in:
Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, United States (on 1936-12-16)
cornet:
Rex Stewart (on 1936-12-16)
double bass:
Billy Taylor Sr. (jazz bassist) (on 1936-12-16)
drums (drum set):
Sonny Greer (on 1936-12-16)
guitar:
Ceele Burke (on 1936-12-16)
reeds:
Harry Carney (on 1936-12-16)
saxophone:
Johnny Hodges (on 1936-12-16)
trombone:
Lawrence Brown (jazz trombonist) (on 1936-12-16)
performer:
Rex Stewart and His 52nd Street Stompers (on 1936-12-16)
recorded at:
Recordings Incorporated (Hollywood) in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, United States
Rex Stewart & His 52nd Street Stompers2:59
8Lazy Man’s Shuffle (alternate take)
recorded in:
Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, United States (on 1936-12-16)
cornet:
Rex Stewart (on 1936-12-16)
double bass:
Billy Taylor Sr. (jazz bassist) (on 1936-12-16)
drums (drum set):
Sonny Greer (on 1936-12-16)
guitar:
Ceele Burke (on 1936-12-16)
reeds:
Harry Carney (on 1936-12-16)
saxophone:
Johnny Hodges (on 1936-12-16)
trombone:
Lawrence Brown (jazz trombonist) (on 1936-12-16)
performer:
Rex Stewart and His 52nd Street Stompers (on 1936-12-16)
recorded at:
Recordings Incorporated (Hollywood) in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, United States
Rex Stewart & His 52nd Street Stompers2:51
9Clouds in My Heart (alternate take)
baritone saxophone:
Harry Carney (on 1936-12-19)
clarinet:
Barney Bigard (on 1936-12-19)
double bass:
Billy Taylor Sr. (jazz bassist) (on 1936-12-19)
drums (drum set):
Sonny Greer (on 1936-12-19)
piano:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) (on 1936-12-19)
trumpet:
Cootie Williams (on 1936-12-19)
valve trombone:
Juan Tizol (on 1936-12-19)
performer:
Barney Bigard and His Jazzopaters (on 1936-12-19)
recorded at:
Associated Cinema Studios in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, United States (on 1936-12-19)
Barney Bigard and His Jazzopaters2:59
10Clouds in My Heart
baritone saxophone:
Harry Carney (on 1936-12-19)
clarinet:
Barney Bigard (on 1936-12-19)
double bass:
Billy Taylor Sr. (jazz bassist) (on 1936-12-19)
drums (drum set):
Sonny Greer (on 1936-12-19)
piano:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) (on 1936-12-19)
trumpet:
Cootie Williams (on 1936-12-19)
valve trombone:
Juan Tizol (on 1936-12-19)
performer:
Barney Bigard and His Jazzopaters (on 1936-12-19)
recorded at:
Associated Cinema Studios in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, United States (on 1936-12-19)
Barney Bigard and His Jazzopaters2:59
11Frolic Sam (alternate take)
baritone saxophone:
Harry Carney (on 1936-12-19)
clarinet:
Barney Bigard (on 1936-12-19)
double bass:
Billy Taylor Sr. (jazz bassist) (on 1936-12-19)
drums (drum set):
Sonny Greer (on 1936-12-19)
piano:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) (on 1936-12-19)
trumpet:
Cootie Williams (on 1936-12-19)
valve trombone:
Juan Tizol (on 1936-12-19)
performer:
Barney Bigard and His Jazzopaters (on 1936-12-19)
recorded at:
Associated Cinema Studios in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, United States (on 1936-12-19)
Barney Bigard and His Jazzopaters3:02
12Frolic Sam
baritone saxophone:
Harry Carney (on 1936-12-19)
clarinet:
Barney Bigard (on 1936-12-19)
double bass:
Billy Taylor Sr. (jazz bassist) (on 1936-12-19)
drums (drum set):
Sonny Greer (on 1936-12-19)
piano:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) (on 1936-12-19)
trumpet:
Cootie Williams (on 1936-12-19)
valve trombone:
Juan Tizol (on 1936-12-19)
performer:
Barney Bigard and His Jazzopaters (on 1936-12-19)
recorded at:
Associated Cinema Studios in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, United States (on 1936-12-19)
Barney Bigard and His Jazzopaters3:02
13Caravan
baritone saxophone:
Harry Carney (on 1936-12-19)
clarinet:
Barney Bigard (on 1936-12-19)
double bass:
Billy Taylor Sr. (jazz bassist) (on 1936-12-19)
drums (drum set):
Sonny Greer (on 1936-12-19)
piano:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) (on 1936-12-19)
trombone and valve trombone:
Juan Tizol (on 1936-12-19)
trumpet:
Cootie Williams (on 1936-12-19)
performer:
Barney Bigard and His Jazzopaters (on 1936-12-19)
recorded at:
Associated Cinema Studios in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, United States (on 1936-12-19)
recording of:
Caravan (on 1936-12-19)
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)
Barney Bigard and His Jazzopaters13:07
14Caravan
baritone saxophone:
Harry Carney (on 1936-12-19)
clarinet:
Barney Bigard (on 1936-12-19)
double bass:
Billy Taylor Sr. (jazz bassist) (on 1936-12-19)
drums (drum set):
Sonny Greer (on 1936-12-19)
piano:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) (on 1936-12-19)
trumpet:
Cootie Williams (on 1936-12-19)
valve trombone:
Juan Tizol (on 1936-12-19)
performer:
Barney Bigard and His Jazzopaters (on 1936-12-19)
recorded at:
Associated Cinema Studios in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, United States (on 1936-12-19)
recording of:
Caravan (on 1936-12-19)
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)
Barney Bigard and His Jazzopaters3:08
15Stompy Jones
baritone saxophone:
Harry Carney (on 1936-12-19)
clarinet:
Barney Bigard (on 1936-12-19)
double bass:
Billy Taylor Sr. (jazz bassist) (on 1936-12-19)
drums (drum set):
Sonny Greer (on 1936-12-19)
piano:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) (on 1936-12-19)
trumpet:
Cootie Williams (on 1936-12-19)
valve trombone:
Juan Tizol (on 1936-12-19)
performer:
Barney Bigard and His Jazzopaters (on 1936-12-19)
recorded at:
Associated Cinema Studios in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, United States (on 1936-12-19)
recording of:
Stompy Jones (on 1936-12-19)
composer:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader)
Barney Bigard and His Jazzopaters2:46
16Stompy Jones
baritone saxophone:
Harry Carney (on 1936-12-19)
clarinet:
Barney Bigard (on 1936-12-19)
double bass:
Billy Taylor Sr. (jazz bassist) (on 1936-12-19)
drums (drum set):
Sonny Greer (on 1936-12-19)
piano:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) (on 1936-12-19)
trumpet:
Cootie Williams (on 1936-12-19)
valve trombone:
Juan Tizol (on 1936-12-19)
performer:
Barney Bigard and His Jazzopaters (on 1936-12-19)
recorded at:
Associated Cinema Studios in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, United States (on 1936-12-19)
recording of:
Stompy Jones (on 1936-12-19)
composer:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader)
Barney Bigard and His Jazzopaters2:41
17Mood Indigo / Solititude
recorded in:
Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, United States (on 1936-12-21)
solo piano:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) (on 1936-12-21)
medley including a instrumental recording of:
(In My) Solitude (on 1936-12-21)
lyricist:
Eddie DeLange (in 1934) and Irving Mills (in 1934)
composer:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) (in 1934)
publisher:
American Academy of Music, Inc., De Lange Music Co., EMI Mills Music Inc. (ASCAP-affiliated) and J. R. Lafleur & Son Ltd.
medley including a instrumental recording of:
Mood Indigo (1930 jazz composition and song) (on 1936-12-21)
lyricist:
Irving Mills (in 1930)
composer:
Barney Bigard (in 1930) and Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) (in 1930)
publisher:
Duke Ellington Music, Famous Music Corporation (renamed since 2007‐05 as Sony/ATV Harmony/Melody), Indigo Mood Music, Mills Music, Inc., EMI Mills Music Inc. (ASCAP-affiliated) (in 1930), EMI Music Publishing Ltd. (PRS‐affiliated) (in 1930) and Lawrence Wright Music Co., Ltd. (in 1930)
sub-publisher:
ソニー・ミュージックパブリッシング CMP外国事業部 (sub‐publisher for foreign (non‐Japanese) works) and ヤマハミュージックエンタテインメントホールディングス (Yamaha Music Entertainment Holdings, Inc., holding company – do not use as release label)
part of:
The Real Book (compilation of jazz standards, volume I)
Duke Ellington3:06
18Sophisticated Lady / In a Sentimental Mood
recorded in:
Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, United States (on 1936-12-21)
piano and solo piano:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) (on 1936-12-21)
medley including a instrumental recording of:
In a Sentimental Mood (on 1936-12-21)
lyricist:
Manny Kurtz and Irving Mills
composer:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) (in 1935)
publisher:
American Academy of Music, Inc., Famous Music Corporation (renamed since 2007‐05 as Sony/ATV Harmony/Melody), J. R. Lafleur & Son Ltd., Lafleur Music Ltd., Mills Music and Sony/ATV Harmony
medley including a instrumental recording of:
Sophisticated Lady (on 1936-12-21)
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)
Duke Ellington3:05
19I Can’t Believe That You Are in Love With Me (alternate take)
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (on 1937-03-08)
baritone saxophone:
Harry Carney (on 1937-03-08)
double bass:
Hayes Alvis (on 1937-03-08)
drums (drum set):
Sonny Greer (on 1937-03-08)
piano:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) (on 1937-03-08)
saxophone:
Johnny Hodges (on 1937-03-08)
trombone:
Joe "Tricky Sam" Nanton (on 1937-03-08)
trumpet:
Cootie Williams (on 1937-03-08)
performer:
Cootie Williams and His Rug Cutters (on 1937-03-08)
recording of:
I Can’t Believe That You’re in Love With Me (on 1937-03-08)
lyricist:
Clarence Gaskill
composer:
Jimmy McHugh (songwriter)
publisher:
Mills Music, Inc.
Cootie Williams & His Rug Cutters2:54
20I Can’t Believe That You Are in Love With Me
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (on 1937-03-08)
baritone saxophone:
Harry Carney (on 1937-03-08)
double bass:
Hayes Alvis (on 1937-03-08)
drums (drum set):
Sonny Greer (on 1937-03-08)
piano:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) (on 1937-03-08)
saxophone:
Johnny Hodges (on 1937-03-08)
trombone:
Joe "Tricky Sam" Nanton (on 1937-03-08)
trumpet:
Cootie Williams (on 1937-03-08)
performer:
Cootie Williams and His Rug Cutters (on 1937-03-08)
recording of:
I Can’t Believe That You’re in Love With Me (on 1937-03-08)
lyricist:
Clarence Gaskill
composer:
Jimmy McHugh (songwriter)
publisher:
Mills Music, Inc.
Cootie Williams & His Rug Cutters2:55
21Downtown Uproar (alternate take)
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (on 1937-03-08)
baritone saxophone:
Harry Carney (on 1937-03-08)
double bass:
Hayes Alvis (on 1937-03-08)
drums (drum set):
Sonny Greer (on 1937-03-08)
piano:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) (on 1937-03-08)
saxophone:
Johnny Hodges (on 1937-03-08)
trombone:
Joe "Tricky Sam" Nanton (on 1937-03-08)
trumpet:
Cootie Williams (on 1937-03-08)
performer:
Cootie Williams and His Rug Cutters (on 1937-03-08)
Cootie Williams & His Rug Cutters2:47
22Downtown Uproar
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (on 1937-03-08)
baritone saxophone:
Harry Carney (on 1937-03-08)
double bass:
Hayes Alvis (on 1937-03-08)
drums (drum set):
Sonny Greer (on 1937-03-08)
piano:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) (on 1937-03-08)
saxophone:
Johnny Hodges (on 1937-03-08)
trombone:
Joe "Tricky Sam" Nanton (on 1937-03-08)
trumpet:
Cootie Williams (on 1937-03-08)
performer:
Cootie Williams and His Rug Cutters (on 1937-03-08)
Cootie Williams & His Rug Cutters2:44
23Digga Digga Do (alternate take)
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (on 1937-03-08)
baritone saxophone:
Harry Carney (on 1937-03-08)
double bass:
Hayes Alvis (on 1937-03-08)
drums (drum set):
Sonny Greer (on 1937-03-08)
piano:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) (on 1937-03-08)
saxophone:
Johnny Hodges (on 1937-03-08)
trombone:
Joe "Tricky Sam" Nanton (on 1937-03-08)
trumpet:
Cootie Williams (on 1937-03-08)
performer:
Cootie Williams and His Rug Cutters (on 1937-03-08)
instrumental recording of:
Diga Diga Doo (on 1937-03-08)
lyricist:
Dorothy Fields (American librettist and lyricist)
composer:
Jimmy McHugh (songwriter)
Cootie Williams & His Rug Cutters2:53
24Digga Digga Do
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (on 1937-03-08)
baritone saxophone:
Harry Carney (on 1937-03-08)
double bass:
Hayes Alvis (on 1937-03-08)
drums (drum set):
Sonny Greer (on 1937-03-08)
piano:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) (on 1937-03-08)
saxophone:
Johnny Hodges (on 1937-03-08)
trombone:
Joe "Tricky Sam" Nanton (on 1937-03-08)
trumpet:
Cootie Williams (on 1937-03-08)
performer:
Cootie Williams and His Rug Cutters (on 1937-03-08)
instrumental recording of:
Diga Diga Doo (on 1937-03-08)
lyricist:
Dorothy Fields (American librettist and lyricist)
composer:
Jimmy McHugh (songwriter)
Cootie Williams & His Rug Cutters2:52
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