The Duke: The Columbia Years (1927–1962)

~ Release by Duke Ellington (see all versions of this release, 3 available)

Annotation

Excluded Regions (as of 2026-01-26)

🇨🇨 Cocos (Keeling) Islands, 🇨🇭 Switzerland, 🇨🇰 Cook Islands, 🇨🇽 Christmas Island, 🇫🇰 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), 🇮🇴 British Indian Ocean Territory, 🇳🇫 Norfolk Island, 🇳🇺 Niue, 🇸🇯 Svalbard & Jan Mayen, 🇹🇰 Tokelau, 🇱🇮 Liechtenstein

Annotation last modified on 2026-01-26 19:15 UTC.

Tracklist

1▼Digital Media
#TitleArtistRatingLength
1Hot and Bothered
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (on 1930-06-12)
accordion:
Cornell Smelser (on 1930-06-12)
alto saxophone:
Harry Carney (on 1930-06-12) and Johnny Hodges (on 1930-06-12)
banjo:
Fred Guy (on 1930-06-12)
baritone saxophone:
Harry Carney (on 1930-06-12)
clarinet:
Barney Bigard (on 1930-06-12) and Harry Carney (on 1930-06-12)
double bass:
Wellman Braud (on 1930-06-12)
drums (drum set):
Sonny Greer (on 1930-06-12)
piano:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) (on 1930-06-12)
reeds:
Barney Bigard (on 1930-06-12), Harry Carney (on 1930-06-12) and Johnny Hodges (on 1930-06-12)
soprano saxophone:
Johnny Hodges (on 1930-06-12)
tenor saxophone:
Barney Bigard (on 1930-06-12)
trombone:
Joe "Tricky Sam" Nanton (on 1930-06-12)
trumpet:
Freddy Jenkins (on 1930-06-12), Arthur Whetsel (on 1930-06-12) and Cootie Williams (on 1930-06-12)
valve trombone:
Juan Tizol (on 1930-06-12)
vocals:
Dick Robertson (US jazz vocalist, 1920s-1940s) (on 1930-06-12)
arranger:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader)
recording of:
Hot and Bothered (on 1930-06-12)
composer:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader)
Duke Ellington2:52
2East St. Louis Toodle‐Oo (Columbia session)
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (on 1927-03-22)
alto saxophone:
Otto Hardwick (on 1927-03-22) and Edgar Sampson (on 1927-03-22)
banjo:
Fred Guy (on 1927-03-22)
baritone saxophone:
Harry Carney (on 1927-03-22) and Otto Hardwick (on 1927-03-22)
clarinet and tenor saxophone:
Rudy Jackson (clarinetist and saxophonist) (on 1927-03-22) and Prince Robinson (on 1927-03-22)
drums (drum set) [drums]:
Sonny Greer (on 1927-03-22)
piano:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) (on 1927-03-22)
reeds:
Otto Hardwick (on 1927-03-22) and Prince Robinson (on 1927-03-22)
soprano saxophone:
Otto Hardwick (on 1927-03-22)
trombone:
Joe Nanton (on 1927-03-22)
trumpet:
Charlie Johnson (trumpet) (on 1927-03-22), Louis Metcalf (on 1927-03-22) and Bubber Miley (on 1927-03-22)
tuba [brass bass]:
Henry Edwards (tubist) (on 1927-03-22) and Mack Shaw (on 1927-03-22)
arranger:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) (on 1927-03-22)
recording of:
East St. Louis Toodle‐oo (on 1927-03-22)
composer:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) and Bubber Miley
publisher:
Mills Music, Inc.
Duke Ellington & His Washingtonians3:04
3Black and Tan Fantasy (Okeh session)
alto saxophone:
Rudy Jackson (clarinetist and saxophonist)
banjo:
Fred Guy
baritone saxophone:
Harry Carney
clarinet:
Harry Carney, Otto Hardwick and Rudy Jackson (clarinetist and saxophonist)
tenor saxophone:
Otto Hardwick
trombone:
Joe "Tricky Sam" Nanton
trumpet:
Louis Metcalf and Jabbo Smith
tuba:
Henry Edwards (tubist)
recording of:
Black and Tan Fantasy (on 1927-11-03)
composer:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) and Bubber Miley
Duke Ellington & His Washingtonians3:23
4Black Beauty
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (on 1928-10-01)
piano:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) (on 1928-10-01)
solo piano:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader)
recording of:
Black Beauty (on 1928-10-01)
composer:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader)
recording of:
Black Beauty (in 1928)
composer:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader)
Duke Ellington3:01
5Ring Dem Bells (take 4)
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (on 1930-10-30)
alto saxophone:
Harry Carney (on 1930-10-30) and Johnny Hodges (on 1930-10-30)
banjo:
Fred Guy (on 1930-10-30)
baritone saxophone:
Harry Carney (on 1930-10-30)
chimes and drums (drum set) [drums]:
Sonny Greer (on 1930-10-30)
clarinet:
Barney Bigard (on 1930-10-30), Harry Carney (on 1930-10-30) and Johnny Hodges (on 1930-10-30)
double bass [string bass]:
Wellman Braud (on 1930-10-30)
piano:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) (on 1930-10-30)
soprano saxophone:
Johnny Hodges (on 1930-10-30)
tenor saxophone:
Barney Bigard (on 1930-10-30)
trombone:
Joe Nanton (on 1930-10-30)
trumpet:
Freddie Jenkins (on 1930-10-30), Arthur Whetsel (on 1930-10-30) and Cootie Williams (on 1930-10-30)
valve trombone:
Juan Tizol (on 1930-10-30)
vocals:
Cootie Williams (on 1930-10-30)
arranger:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader)
recording of:
Ring Dem Bells (on 1930-10-30)
composer:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) and Irving Mills
publisher:
Warner Bros. Music (publisher; do NOT use as release label)
Duke Ellington2:48
6The Mooche (1928 Okeh version)
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (on 1928-10-01)
alto saxophone:
Harry Carney (on 1928-10-01) and Johnny Hodges (on 1928-10-01)
banjo:
Fred Guy (on 1928-10-01)
baritone saxophone:
Harry Carney (on 1928-10-01)
clarinet:
Barney Bigard (on 1928-10-01), Harry Carney (on 1928-10-01) and Johnny Hodges (on 1928-10-01)
double bass:
Wellman Braud (on 1928-10-01)
drums (drum set):
Sonny Greer (on 1928-10-01)
guitar:
Lonnie Johnson (American blues and jazz musician) (on 1928-10-01)
piano:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) (on 1928-10-01)
soprano saxophone:
Johnny Hodges (on 1928-10-01)
tenor saxophone:
Barney Bigard (on 1928-10-01)
trombone:
Joe Nanton (on 1928-10-01)
trumpet:
Bubber Miley (on 1928-10-01) and Arthur Whetsel (on 1928-10-01)
vocals:
Baby Cox (on 1928-10-01)
arranger:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader)
recording of:
The Mooche (on 1928-10-01)
composer:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) and Irving Mills
Duke Ellington3:13
7It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)
alto saxophone:
Harry Carney and Johnny Hodges
banjo:
Fred Guy
baritone saxophone:
Harry Carney
clarinet:
Barney Bigard, Harry Carney and Johnny Hodges
double bass:
Wellman Braud
drums (drum set):
Sonny Greer
piano:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader)
soprano saxophone:
Johnny Hodges
tenor saxophone:
Barney Bigard
trombone:
Lawrence Brown (jazz trombonist) and Joe "Tricky Sam" Nanton
trumpet:
Freddie Jenkins, Arthur Whetsel and Cootie Williams
valve trombone:
Juan Tizol
lead vocals:
Ivie Anderson
recording of:
It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing) (on 1932-02-02)
lyricist:
Irving Mills (in 1931)
composer:
Edward Kennedy “Duke” Ellington (Duke Ellington, US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) (in 1931-08)
publisher:
Duke Ellington Music and EMI Mills Music (ASCAP-affiliated)
part of:
The Real Book (compilation of jazz standards, volume I)
Duke Ellington3:08
8Slippery Horn (take a)
alto saxophone:
Otto Hardwick (on 1933-02-17)
banjo and guitar:
Fred Guy (on 1933-02-17)
double bass [bass]:
Wellman Braud (on 1933-02-17)
drums (drum set):
Sonny Greer (on 1933-02-17)
piano:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) (on 1933-02-17)
reeds:
Barney Bigard (on 1933-02-17), Harry Carney (on 1933-02-17) and Johnny Hodges (on 1933-02-17)
trombone:
Lawrence Brown (jazz trombonist) (on 1933-02-17) and Joe "Tricky Sam" Nanton (on 1933-02-17)
trumpet:
Freddy Jenkins (on 1933-02-17), Arthur Whetsel (on 1933-02-17) and Cootie Williams (on 1933-02-17)
valve trombone:
Juan Tizol (on 1933-02-17)
orchestra:
Duke Ellington and His Orchestra (on 1933-02-17)
recorded at:
American Record Corporation Studios in New York, New York, United States (on 1933-02-17)
recording of:
Slippery Horn (on 1933-02-17)
composer:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader)
Duke Ellington3:03
9Saddest Tale
alto saxophone:
Otto Hardwick (on 1934-09-13)
double bass [bass]:
Wellman Braud (on 1934-09-13)
drums (drum set):
Sonny Greer (on 1934-09-13)
piano:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) (on 1934-09-13)
reeds:
Barney Bigard (on 1934-09-13) and Harry Carney (on 1934-09-13)
saxophone:
Johnny Hodges (on 1934-09-13)
trombone:
Lawrence Brown (jazz trombonist) (on 1934-09-13) and Joe "Tricky Sam" Nanton (on 1934-09-13)
trumpet:
Freddy Jenkins (on 1934-09-13), Arthur Whetsel (on 1934-09-13) and Cootie Williams (on 1934-09-13)
valve trombone:
Juan Tizol (on 1934-09-13)
orchestra:
Duke Ellington and His Orchestra (on 1934-09-13)
recorded at:
American Record Corporation Studios in New York, New York, United States (on 1934-09-13)
instrumental recording of:
Saddest Tale (on 1934-09-13)
lyricist:
Irving Mills
composer:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader)
Duke Ellington3:16
10Showboat Shuffle
piano:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) (on 1935-04-30)
Duke Ellington3:01
11In a Sentimental Mood
recording of:
In a Sentimental Mood (on 1935-04-30)
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
Duke Ellington3:15
12In a Jam
piano:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) (on 1936-07-29)
Duke Ellington2:57
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)
Duke Ellington3:04
14The Gal From Joe’s
recording of:
The Gal From Joe’s (on 1938-02-02)
composer:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) and Irving Mills
Duke Ellington2:54
15Braggin’ in Brass (From the Broadway Revue, “Cotton club Parade of 1938”)
piano:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) (on 1938-03-03)
Duke Ellington2:44
16I Let a Song Go Out of My Heart
recording of:
I Let a Song Go Out of My Heart (on 1938-03-03)
lyricist:
Irving Mills (in 1938), Henry Nemo (in 1938) and John Redmond (House vocalist) (in 1938)
composer:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) (in 1938)
part of:
The Real Book (compilation of jazz standards, volume I)
Duke Ellington3:08
17Battle of Swing
alto saxophone:
Barney Bigard (on 1938-12-19), Harry Carney (on 1938-12-19), Otto Hardwick (on 1938-12-19) and Johnny Hodges (on 1938-12-19)
baritone saxophone:
Harry Carney (on 1938-12-19)
clarinet:
Barney Bigard (on 1938-12-19), Harry Carney (on 1938-12-19) and Johnny Hodges (on 1938-12-19)
cornet:
Rex Stewart (on 1938-12-19)
double bass:
Billy Taylor (jazz bassist) (on 1938-12-19)
drums (drum set):
Sonny Greer (on 1938-12-19)
guitar:
Fred Guy (on 1938-12-19)
piano:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) (on 1938-12-19)
soprano saxophone:
Johnny Hodges (on 1938-12-19)
trombone:
Lawrence Brown (jazz trombonist) (on 1938-12-19) and Joe "Tricky Sam" Nanton (on 1938-12-19)
trumpet:
Wallace Jones (on 1938-12-19) and Cootie Williams (on 1938-12-19)
valve trombone:
Juan Tizol (on 1938-12-19)
Duke Ellington2:56
18Prelude to a Kiss
recording of:
Prelude to a Kiss (on 1938-08-09)
lyricist:
Irving Gordon (US songwriter) (in 1938) and Irving Mills (in 1938)
composer:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) (in 1938)
publisher:
J. R. Lafleur & Son Ltd. and Lafleur Music Ltd.
Duke Ellington2:56
19Slap Happy
piano:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) (on 1938-12-22)
Duke Ellington2:44
20Old King Dooji
piano:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) (on 1938-12-22)
Duke Ellington2:29
21Portrait of the Lion
piano:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) (on 1939-03-21)
Duke Ellington2:22
22Country Gal
piano:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) (on 1939-10-16)
Duke Ellington2:56
23Little Posey
piano:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) (on 1939-10-14)
Duke Ellington2:38
24Tootin’ Through the Roof
piano:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) (on 1939-10-14)
Duke Ellington2:53
25Sophisticated Lady
alto saxophone:
Johnny Hodges (on 1940-02-14)
clarinet:
Barney Bigard (on 1940-02-14)
cornet:
Rex Stewart (on 1940-02-14)
double bass and double bass [bass]:
Jimmy Blanton (on 1940-02-14)
drums (drum set):
Sonny Greer (on 1940-02-14)
guitar:
Fred Guy (on 1940-02-14)
piano:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) (on 1940-02-14)
reeds:
Barney Bigard (on 1940-02-14), Harry Carney (on 1940-02-14), Otto Hardwick (on 1940-02-14) and Johnny Hodges (on 1940-02-14)
saxophone:
Otto Hardwick (on 1940-02-14)
tenor saxophone:
Ben Webster (on 1940-02-14)
trombone:
Lawrence Brown (jazz trombonist) (on 1940-02-14) and Joe "Tricky Sam" Nanton (on 1940-02-14)
trumpet:
Wallace Jones (on 1940-02-14) and Cootie Williams (on 1940-02-14)
valve trombone:
Juan Tizol (on 1940-02-14)
orchestra:
Duke Ellington and His Orchestra (on 1940-02-14)
recording of:
Sophisticated Lady (on 1940-02-14)
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)
instrumental recording of:
Sophisticated Lady (on 1940-02-14)
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 Ellington2:50
2▶Digital Media
3▶Digital Media