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

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#TitleArtistRatingLength
1Beautiful Romance
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (on 1939-02-28)
alto saxophone:
Johnny Hodges (on 1939-02-28)
baritone saxophone:
Harry Carney (on 1939-02-28)
double bass:
Billy Taylor Sr. (jazz bassist) (on 1939-02-28)
drums (drum set):
Sonny Greer (on 1939-02-28)
piano:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) (on 1939-02-28)
reeds:
Barney Bigard (on 1939-02-28)
trumpet:
Cootie Williams (on 1939-02-28)
performer:
Cootie Williams and His Rug Cutters (on 1939-02-28)
Cootie Williams & His Rug Cutters2:42
2Boudoir Benny
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (on 1939-02-28)
alto saxophone:
Johnny Hodges (on 1939-02-28)
baritone saxophone:
Harry Carney (on 1939-02-28)
double bass:
Billy Taylor Sr. (jazz bassist) (on 1939-02-28)
drums (drum set):
Sonny Greer (on 1939-02-28)
piano:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) (on 1939-02-28)
reeds:
Barney Bigard (on 1939-02-28)
trumpet:
Cootie Williams (on 1939-02-28)
performer:
Cootie Williams and His Rug Cutters (on 1939-02-28)
Cootie Williams & His Rug Cutters2:49
3Ain't the Gravy Good? (alternate take)
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (on 1939-02-28)
alto saxophone:
Johnny Hodges (on 1939-02-28)
baritone saxophone:
Harry Carney (on 1939-02-28)
double bass:
Billy Taylor Sr. (jazz bassist) (on 1939-02-28)
drums (drum set):
Sonny Greer (on 1939-02-28)
piano:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) (on 1939-02-28)
reeds:
Barney Bigard (on 1939-02-28)
trumpet:
Cootie Williams (on 1939-02-28)
performer:
Cootie Williams and His Rug Cutters (on 1939-02-28)
Cootie Williams & His Rug Cutters3:13
4Ain't the Gravy Good?
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (on 1939-02-28)
alto saxophone:
Johnny Hodges (on 1939-02-28)
baritone saxophone:
Harry Carney (on 1939-02-28)
double bass:
Billy Taylor Sr. (jazz bassist) (on 1939-02-28)
drums (drum set):
Sonny Greer (on 1939-02-28)
piano:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) (on 1939-02-28)
reeds:
Barney Bigard (on 1939-02-28)
trumpet:
Cootie Williams (on 1939-02-28)
performer:
Cootie Williams and His Rug Cutters (on 1939-02-28)
Cootie Williams & His Rug Cutters3:07
5She's Gone
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (on 1939-02-28)
alto saxophone:
Johnny Hodges (on 1939-02-28)
baritone saxophone:
Harry Carney (on 1939-02-28)
double bass:
Billy Taylor Sr. (jazz bassist) (on 1939-02-28)
drums (drum set):
Sonny Greer (on 1939-02-28)
piano:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) (on 1939-02-28)
reeds:
Barney Bigard (on 1939-02-28)
trumpet:
Cootie Williams (on 1939-02-28)
performer:
Cootie Williams and His Rug Cutters (on 1939-02-28)
Cootie Williams & His Rug Cutters3:01
6Just Good Fun
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (on 1939-03-08)
solo piano:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) (on 1939-03-08)
Duke Ellington2:42
7Informal Blues
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (on 1939-03-08)
solo piano:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) (on 1939-03-08)
Duke Ellington2:56
8San Juan Hill
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (on 1939-03-20)
clarinet:
Barney Bigard (on 1939-03-20)
cornet:
Rex Stewart (on 1939-03-20)
double bass:
Billy Taylor Sr. (jazz bassist) (on 1939-03-20)
drums (drum set):
Sonny Greer (on 1939-03-20)
piano:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) (on 1939-03-20)
trombone:
Joe "Tricky Sam" Nanton (on 1939-03-20)
trumpet:
Louis Bacon (on 1939-03-20)
orchestra:
Rex Stewart & His Orchestra (on 1939-03-20)
arranger:
Brick Fleagle (on 1939-03-20)
Rex Stewart & His Orchestra2:42
9I'll Come Back for More
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (on 1939-03-20)
clarinet:
Barney Bigard (on 1939-03-20)
cornet:
Rex Stewart (on 1939-03-20)
double bass:
Billy Taylor Sr. (jazz bassist) (on 1939-03-20)
drums (drum set):
Sonny Greer (on 1939-03-20)
piano:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) (on 1939-03-20)
trumpet:
Louis Bacon (on 1939-03-20)
vocals:
Louis Bacon (on 1939-03-20)
orchestra:
Rex Stewart & His Orchestra (on 1939-03-20)
Rex Stewart & His Orchestra2:55
10"Fat Stuff" Serenade
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (on 1939-03-20)
clarinet:
Barney Bigard (on 1939-03-20)
cornet:
Rex Stewart (on 1939-03-20)
double bass:
Billy Taylor Sr. (jazz bassist) (on 1939-03-20)
drums (drum set):
Sonny Greer (on 1939-03-20)
piano:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) (on 1939-03-20)
trombone:
Joe "Tricky Sam" Nanton (on 1939-03-20)
trumpet:
Louis Bacon (on 1939-03-20)
orchestra:
Rex Stewart & His Orchestra (on 1939-03-20)
Rex Stewart & His Orchestra2:42
11Savoy Strut (alternate take)
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (on 1939-03-21)
double bass:
Billy Taylor Sr. (jazz bassist) (on 1939-03-21)
drums (drum set):
Sonny Greer (on 1939-03-21)
piano:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) (on 1939-03-21)
reeds:
Harry Carney (on 1939-03-21)
saxophone:
Johnny Hodges (on 1939-03-21)
trumpet:
Cootie Williams (on 1939-03-21)
orchestra:
Johnny Hodges and His Orchestra (on 1939-03-21)
arranger:
Billy Strayhorn
Johnny Hodges and His Orchestra2:33
12Savoy Strut
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (on 1939-03-21)
double bass:
Billy Taylor Sr. (jazz bassist) (on 1939-03-21)
drums (drum set):
Sonny Greer (on 1939-03-21)
piano:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) (on 1939-03-21)
reeds:
Harry Carney (on 1939-03-21)
saxophone:
Johnny Hodges (on 1939-03-21)
trumpet:
Cootie Williams (on 1939-03-21)
orchestra:
Johnny Hodges and His Orchestra (on 1939-03-21)
arranger:
Billy Strayhorn
Johnny Hodges and His Orchestra2:34
13Rent Party Blues
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (on 1939-03-21)
double bass:
Billy Taylor Sr. (jazz bassist) (on 1939-03-21)
drums (drum set):
Sonny Greer (on 1939-03-21)
piano:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) (on 1939-03-21)
reeds:
Harry Carney (on 1939-03-21)
saxophone:
Johnny Hodges (on 1939-03-21)
trumpet:
Cootie Williams (on 1939-03-21)
orchestra:
Johnny Hodges and His Orchestra (on 1939-03-21)
arranger:
Billy Strayhorn
recording of:
Rent Party Blues
composer:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) and Johnny Hodges
Johnny Hodges and His Orchestra2:42
14Dance of the Goons
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (on 1939-03-21)
double bass:
Billy Taylor Sr. (jazz bassist) (on 1939-03-21)
drums (drum set):
Sonny Greer (on 1939-03-21)
piano:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) (on 1939-03-21)
reeds:
Harry Carney (on 1939-03-21)
saxophone:
Johnny Hodges (on 1939-03-21)
trumpet:
Cootie Williams (on 1939-03-21)
orchestra:
Johnny Hodges and His Orchestra (on 1939-03-21)
Johnny Hodges and His Orchestra2:41
15Good Gal Blues
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (on 1939-03-21)
double bass:
Billy Taylor Sr. (jazz bassist) (on 1939-03-21)
drums (drum set):
Sonny Greer (on 1939-03-21)
piano:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) (on 1939-03-21)
reeds:
Harry Carney (on 1939-03-21)
saxophone:
Johnny Hodges (on 1939-03-21)
trumpet:
Cootie Williams (on 1939-03-21)
orchestra:
Johnny Hodges and His Orchestra (on 1939-03-21)
Johnny Hodges and His Orchestra3:02
16Finesse
alto saxophone:
Johnny Hodges
double bass:
Billy Taylor Sr. (jazz bassist)
piano:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader)
Duke Ellington2:47
17Kitchen Mechanic's Day
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (on 1939-06-02)
alto saxophone:
Johnny Hodges (on 1939-06-02)
baritone saxophone:
Harry Carney (on 1939-06-02)
double bass:
Billy Taylor Sr. (jazz bassist) (on 1939-06-02)
drums (drum set):
Sonny Greer (on 1939-06-02)
piano:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) (on 1939-06-02)
trombone:
Lawrence Brown (jazz trombonist) (on 1939-06-02)
trumpet:
Cootie Williams (on 1939-06-02)
orchestra:
Johnny Hodges and His Orchestra (on 1939-06-02)
arranger:
Billy Strayhorn
Johnny Hodges and His Orchestra2:31
18My Heart Jumped Over the Moon
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (on 1939-06-02)
alto saxophone:
Johnny Hodges (on 1939-06-02)
baritone saxophone:
Harry Carney (on 1939-06-02)
double bass:
Billy Taylor Sr. (jazz bassist) (on 1939-06-02)
drums (drum set):
Sonny Greer (on 1939-06-02)
piano:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) (on 1939-06-02)
trombone:
Lawrence Brown (jazz trombonist) (on 1939-06-02)
trumpet:
Cootie Williams (on 1939-06-02)
orchestra:
Johnny Hodges and His Orchestra (on 1939-06-02)
arranger:
Billy Strayhorn
Johnny Hodges and His Orchestra2:38
19You Can Count on Me
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (on 1939-06-02)
alto saxophone:
Johnny Hodges (on 1939-06-02)
baritone saxophone:
Harry Carney (on 1939-06-02)
double bass:
Billy Taylor Sr. (jazz bassist) (on 1939-06-02)
drums (drum set):
Sonny Greer (on 1939-06-02)
piano:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) (on 1939-06-02)
trombone:
Lawrence Brown (jazz trombonist) (on 1939-06-02)
trumpet:
Cootie Williams (on 1939-06-02)
orchestra:
Johnny Hodges and His Orchestra (on 1939-06-02)
Johnny Hodges and His Orchestra3:16
20Home Town Blues
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (on 1939-06-02)
alto saxophone:
Johnny Hodges (on 1939-06-02)
baritone saxophone:
Harry Carney (on 1939-06-02)
double bass:
Billy Taylor Sr. (jazz bassist) (on 1939-06-02)
drums (drum set):
Sonny Greer (on 1939-06-02)
piano:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) (on 1939-06-02)
trombone:
Lawrence Brown (jazz trombonist) (on 1939-06-02)
trumpet:
Cootie Williams (on 1939-06-02)
orchestra:
Johnny Hodges and His Orchestra (on 1939-06-02)
Johnny Hodges and His Orchestra2:40
21Utt-Da-Zay (The Tailor Song)
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (on 1939-06-08)
baritone saxophone:
Harry Carney (on 1939-06-08)
clarinet:
Barney Bigard (on 1939-06-08)
cornet:
Rex Stewart (on 1939-06-08)
double bass:
Billy Taylor Sr. (jazz bassist) (on 1939-06-08)
drums (drum set):
Sonny Greer (on 1939-06-08)
guitar:
Fred Guy (on 1939-06-08)
piano:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) (on 1939-06-08)
valve trombone:
Juan Tizol (on 1939-06-08)
vocals:
Patti Davis (jazz vocals) (on 1939-06-08), Irving Deutsch (on 1939-06-08), Murray Deutsch (on 1939-06-08), Lloyd Hundling (on 1939-06-08), Al Lane (on 1939-06-08) and The Quintones (US jazz band circa 1940) (on 1939-06-08)
orchestra:
Barney Bigard and His Orchestra (on 1939-06-08)
The Quintones with Barney Bigard and His Orchestra2:47
22Chew-Chew-Chew (Chew Your Bubble Gum)
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (on 1939-06-08)
baritone saxophone:
Harry Carney (on 1939-06-08)
clarinet:
Barney Bigard (on 1939-06-08)
cornet:
Rex Stewart (on 1939-06-08)
double bass:
Billy Taylor Sr. (jazz bassist) (on 1939-06-08)
drums (drum set):
Sonny Greer (on 1939-06-08)
guitar:
Fred Guy (on 1939-06-08)
piano:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) (on 1939-06-08)
valve trombone:
Juan Tizol (on 1939-06-08)
vocals:
Patti Davis (jazz vocals) (on 1939-06-08), Irving Deutsch (on 1939-06-08), Murray Deutsch (on 1939-06-08), Lloyd Hundling (on 1939-06-08), Al Lane (on 1939-06-08) and The Quintones (US jazz band circa 1940) (on 1939-06-08)
orchestra:
Barney Bigard and His Orchestra (on 1939-06-08)
The Quintones with Barney Bigard and His Orchestra2:42
23Barney Goin' Easy
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (on 1939-06-08)
baritone saxophone:
Harry Carney (on 1939-06-08)
clarinet:
Barney Bigard (on 1939-06-08)
cornet:
Rex Stewart (on 1939-06-08)
double bass:
Billy Taylor Sr. (jazz bassist) (on 1939-06-08)
drums (drum set):
Sonny Greer (on 1939-06-08)
guitar:
Fred Guy (on 1939-06-08)
piano:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) (on 1939-06-08)
valve trombone:
Juan Tizol (on 1939-06-08)
orchestra:
Barney Bigard and His Orchestra (on 1939-06-08)
The Quintones with Barney Bigard and His Orchestra2:59
24Just Another Dream
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (on 1939-06-08)
baritone saxophone:
Harry Carney (on 1939-06-08)
clarinet:
Barney Bigard (on 1939-06-08)
cornet:
Rex Stewart (on 1939-06-08)
double bass:
Billy Taylor Sr. (jazz bassist) (on 1939-06-08)
drums (drum set):
Sonny Greer (on 1939-06-08)
guitar:
Fred Guy (on 1939-06-08)
piano:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) (on 1939-06-08)
valve trombone:
Juan Tizol (on 1939-06-08)
orchestra:
Barney Bigard and His Orchestra (on 1939-06-08)
The Quintones with Barney Bigard and His Orchestra2:44
25Night Song
baritone saxophone:
Harry Carney (on 1939-06-22)
double bass:
Billy Taylor Sr. (jazz bassist) (on 1939-06-22)
drums (drum set):
Sonny Greer (on 1939-06-22)
piano:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) (on 1939-06-22)
reeds:
Barney Bigard (on 1939-06-22)
saxophone:
Johnny Hodges (on 1939-06-22)
trumpet:
Cootie Williams (on 1939-06-22)
Cootie Williams & His Rug Cutters2:45
7▶CD