This 5-CD box set collects five seminal albums from Duke Ellington's prolific period on the Columbia and Reprise labels, showcasing his enduring compositional and improvisational genius. It brings together classic works such as 'Ellington Indigos,' 'Festival Session,' and 'The Cosmic Scene' for the first time in a budget-friendly collection.
- The collection includes Ellington's 1957 album 'Ellington at Newport,' which was famously restored and expanded from original tapes in 1995. 'Original Album Series' also features the 1962 album 'The Cosmic Scene,' featuring arrangements by renowned composer and arranger Billy May. The set compiles albums originally released between 1956 and 1963, a period of significant artistic output for Ellington.
- This box set collects five full-length albums, including 'Ellington Indigos' (1957), 'Festival Session' (1959), 'Live and Well' (1962), 'The Cosmic Scene' (1962), and 'All Star Ballroom Festival' (1962). These recordings showcase Ellington's mature sound, featuring collaborations with various orchestras and guest soloists. The compilation was released by Rhino Atlantic on September 14, 2009.
- The albums in this collection were originally released on Columbia Records and Reprise Records. 'Ellington at Newport' (1956) was reissued with extensive bonus material in 1995, though this specific box set focuses on the original album configurations. Rhino Entertainment Company, a subsidiary of Warner Music Group, released this box set.
Duke Ellington was a pioneering jazz pianist, composer, and bandleader from Washington, D.C., best known for his extensive work with his orchestra from the 1920s through the 1960s. This 2009 box set compiles five of his classic albums, offering a retrospective of his prolific output during the late 1950s and early 1960s.
Tracklist
