Jaywalker: 1966-1967

Duke Ellington: Duke Ellington; Lawrence Brown (trombone); John Lamb (bass instrument); Bobby Durham (drums); Emmanuel Abdul-Rahim (congas); Chris Columbo, Cootie Williams, Harry Carney, Herbie Jones, Jimmy Hamilton, Johnny Hodges, Mercer Ellington, Paul Gonsalves, Rufus "Speedy" Jones, Russell Procope, Sam Woodyard, Chuck Connors, Buster Cooper, Cat Anderson.
Personnel: Duke Ellington (piano); Harry Carney (clarinet, bass clarinet, baritone saxophone); Russell Procope (clarinet, alto saxophone); Jimmy Hamilton (clarinet, tenor saxophone); Johnny Hodges (alto saxophone); Paul Gonsalves (tenor saxophone); Cootie Williams, Herbie Jones, Mercer Ellington, Cat Anderson (trumpet); Lawrence D. Brown, Chuck Connors, Buster Cooper (trombone); Rufus "Speedy" Jones (drums, percussion); Chris Columbo, Sam Woodyard (drums).
Recording information: RCA Studios, NY (03/29/1966-06/23/1967).
Photographer: Jan Persson.
An official issue from "the Stockpile"--Duke Ellington's vault of private recordings made in the last 20 to 30 years of his life--THE JAYWALKER brings together nine pieces Ellington wrote for the British play "The Jaywalker" in 1967, in addition to some works-in-progress and new compositions cut in a studio session in 1966. As per the Ellingtonia of the day (and most of Ellington's work, for that matter), these works are highly ambitious, overflowing with complex, progressive arrangements for big band.
"The Shepherd," the swinging "Up Jump," and deeply lyrical "Chromatic Love Affair" feature exceptional playing from Ellington's usual instrumental stars-- trumpeter Cootie Williams, tenor man Paul Gonsalves, and alto saxophonist Johnny Hodges among them. While the tunes from "The Jaywalker" are outstanding ("Mac" was later reworked in Ellington's well-known SECOND SACRED CONCERT), one of the disc's standouts is Billy Strayhorn's "Blood Count," a sultry, melancholic ballad with a lengthy, matchless solo from Hodges. Written by Billy Strayhorn on his deathbed, this was the composer's last work. As sophisticated and enjoyable as any music made during his long career, THE JAYWALKER will not disappoint fans of the Duke.