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Duke Ellington was without question one of the most significant and influential musical figures in the history of popular music. He himself preferred not to have his work referred to as ‘jazz’ but liked people to see it as he himself saw it, as being “beyond category”, simply “American music”. In a career spanning six decades, he attracted the very best musicians to his orchestras, and gifted to the world many of the jazz standards we know and love today, including several featured here in this carefully-curated collection. From his first major ‘hit’ “East St. Louis Toodle-Oo”, The Duke continued writing and performing a host of jazz standards. Featured here are just a select few of his most iconic – “Mood Indigo”, “It Don’t Mean A Thing (If You Ain’t Got That Swing”, “Solitude”, “In A Sentimental Mood”, “Caravan”, “Take The A-Train”, “Satin Doll” are all revered (and sometimes feared – watch the 2014 film “Whiplash”) by big-band enthusiasts and musicians the world over. It serves as a perfect introduction to this musical maestro and will leave you thirsty to discover more.
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