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Duke Ellington discography

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This is the discography of Duke Ellington. Most of these recordings are listed by the year they were recorded rather than year released. Reissues are listed for most of the recordings released before the 1950s, as the original 78s are rare. The US chart listing information should be considered tentative because sources like the Joel Whitburn's Pop Memories does not take the cheaper dime-store records into account. During this period, records sold by song title, not by artist, although there are exceptions.

Hit records

Year Single Chart positions
US US
R&B 		UK
1927 "East St. Louis Toodle-Oo" 10
1928 "Black and Tan Fantasy" 15
"Creole Love Call" 19
"Doin' the New Low Down" 20
"Diga Diga Doo" 17
"The Mooche" 16
1930 "Three Little Words" 1
"Ring Dem Bells" 17
1931 "Blue Again" 12
"Mood Indigo" 3
"Rockin' In Rhythm" 19
"Creole Rhapsody Parts 1 & 2" 18
"Limehouse Blues" 13
1932 "It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)" 6
"Creole Rhapsody"(new version) 19
"Rose Room (In Sunny Roseland)" 15
"Moon Over Dixie" 14
"Blue Ramble" 16
1933 "Drop Me Off At Harlem" 17
"Sophisticated Lady" 3
"Stormy Weather" 4
"I'm Satisfied" 11
"In the Shade of the Old Apple Tree" 13
1934 "Daybreak Express" 20
"Cocktails For Two" 1
"Moon Glow" 2
"Solitude" 2
"Saddest Tale" 9
1935 "Merry Go Round" 6
"In a Sentimental Mood" 14
"Accent On Youth" 6
"Cotton" 4
1936 "Isn't Love the Strangest Thing?" 12
"Love Is Like a Cigarette" 8
"Clarinet Lament" 12
"Echoes of Harlem" 19
"Oh Babe! Maybe Someday" 8
"Jazz Lips" 20
"Yearning For Love" 16
1937 "The New East St. Louis Toodle-Oo" 16
"There's a Lull In My Life" 12
"Scattin' At the Kit Kat" 9
"Caravan" 4
"Azure" 13
"All God's Chillun Got Rhythm" 14
1938 "Harmony In Harlem" 15
"If You Were In My Place (What Would You Do?)" 10
"I Let a Song Go Out of My Heart" 1
"The Gal From Joe's" 20
"Lambeth Walk" 7
"Prelude To a Kiss" 18
1940 "You, You, Darlin'" 28
"Ko Ko" 25
"At a Dixie Roadside Diner" 27
"Sepia Panorama" 24
1941 "Flamingo" 11
"Take the A Train" 11
"I Got It Bad and That Ain't Good" 13
1942 "Hayfoot, Strawfoot" 10
1943 "Don't Get Around Much Anymore" 8 1
"Perdido" 21
"Take the A Train"(re-entry) 19
"Bojangles" 19
"A Slip of the Lip" 19 1
"Sentimental Lady" 19 1
1944 "Do Nothin' Till You Hear From Me" 10 1
"Main Stem" 23 1
"My Little Brown Book" 4
"Someone" 7
"I Don't Mind" 9
1945 "I'm Beginning To See the Light" 6 4
"Don't You Know I Care" 10
"I Ain't Got Nothin' But the Blues" 4
1946 "Come To Baby, Do" 13
1948 "Don't Be So Mean To Baby" 15
1953 "Satin Doll"
"Boo Dah" 30
1954 "Skin Deep" 7

1920s

During the late 1920s and early 1930s, Ellington and his band recorded for almost every label (BluDisc, Pathé, Perfect, Victor, Brunswick, Columbia Records, Okeh, Vocalion, Cameo, Romeo, Lincoln, Banner, Domino, Jewel, and Hit of the Week). Some labels, such as RCA Victor, Okeh and Brunswick, have collected Ellington's early recordings into box sets, while material from other labels is scattered. The most comprehensive source for Ellington's early work are the Classics releases, although that series omits alternate takes, which may be found in other collections.

1926

  • 1924–1926: The Birth of A Band Vol. 1 (EPM Musique, released 1988)
  • The Birth of Big Band Jazz (Riverside EP, released 1956)
  • Complete Edition (Masters of Jazz/Media 7, volume 1, 1924–1926)
  • Early Ellington: The Complete Brunswick Recordings (3 CD set, Decca/GRP 1926–1931, released 1994)

1927

  • The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1924–1927 (Classics)
  • Complete Edition (Masters of Jazz/Media 7, volume 2, 1926–1927)

1928

  • Duke Ellington and His Orchestra: 1927–1928 (Classics, released 1996)
  • Duke Ellington and His Orchestra: 1928 (Classics)
  • Complete Vol. 1: 1925–1928 (Columbia – France, released 1973)
  • Duke Ellington: The Beginning 1926–1928 (Decca Jazz Heritage Series)
  • The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1927–1928 (Classics)
  • The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1928 (Classics)
  • Complete Edition (Masters of Jaz/Media 7, volume 3, 1927–1928)
  • Complete Edition (Masters of Jazz/Media 7, volumes 4 & 5, 1928)

1929

  • Flaming Youth (RCA Victor, 1927–1929, released 1965)
  • The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1928–1929 (Classics)
  • The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1929 (Classics)
  • Complete Edition (Masters of Jazz, volumes 6 & 7, 1929)

1930s

1930

  • The OKeh Ellington (Columbia, 1927–1930, released 1991)
  • The Works of Duke: Vol. 1 – Vol. 5 (RCA, 1927–1930)
  • The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1929–1930 (Classics)
  • The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1930 (Classics, 2 volumes)
  • Complete Edition (December 1929–March 1930; Masters of Jazz/Media 7, volume 9)
  • Complete Edition (April–June 1930; Masters of Jazz/Media 7, volume 10)
  • Complete Edition (August–October 1930; Masters of Jazz/Media 7, volume 11)

1931

  • Jazz Heritage Brunswick/Vocalion Rarities (MCA 1926–1931, released 1983)
  • Mood Indigo (Columbia 1927–1931, released 1992)
  • The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1930–31 (Classics)
  • Complete Edition (Masters of Jazz/Media 7, volume 12, 1930–1931)

1932

  • Jungle Nights in Harlem (Bluebird 1927–1932, released 1991)
  • Jazz Cocktail (AVS/Living Era 1928–1932)
  • The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1931–32 (Classics)

1933

  • The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1932–33 (Classics)
  • The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1933 (Classics)

1934

  • Early Ellington: 1927–1934 (Bluebird, released 1954, CD release 1990 on RCA)
  • Duke Ellington 1927–1934 (Nimbus, 1991)
  • Great Original Performances 1927–1934 (Mobile Fidelity, released 1989)
  • Jubilee Stomp (Bluebird, 1928–1934)

1935

  • The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1933–35 (Classics)

1936

  • Rockin' in Rhythm (Jazz Hour 1927–1936, released 1996)
  • The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1935–36 (Classics)

1937

  • The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1936–37 (Classics)
  • The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1937 (2 volumes) (Classics)

1938

1939

  • Duke Ellington Playing the Blues (Black and Blue, 1927–1939, released 2002)
  • The Duke's Men: Small Groups vol. 2, 1938–1939 (Columbia)
  • The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1938–39 (Classics)
  • The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1939 (Classics, 2 volumes)

1940s

The decade began with Ellington's recordings featuring Jimmy Blanton and Ben Webster, "the best Ellington " according to critic Bob Blumenthal.[1] Activity in the recording industry was limited during the 1942–1944 musicians' strike which including a recording ban, but Ellington did make annual visits to Carnegie Hall, listed below. In the January 1943 concert, Ellington introduced his first extended suite, "Black, Brown and Beige."

1940

1941

  • Take the 'A' Train (Vintage Jazz Classics)
  • The Great Ellington Units (Bluebird)
  • "1941 Classics – Live in " (Alamac)
  • The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1940–41 (Classics)
  • The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1941 (Classics)

1942

  • Swing & Jazz (Rhino, 1937–1942)

1943

1944

1945

  • The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1944–45 (Classics)
  • The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1945 (2 volumes) (Classics)
  • The Treasury Shows 1943–1945 (D.E.T.S., 13 double LPs)
  • Duke's Joint (Buddha, 1943–1945)
  • The Duke Ellington World Broadcasting Series (Circle)

1946

1947

  • The Carnegie Hall Concerts: December 1947 (Prestige – released 1977)
  • Daybreak Express
  • Live at the Bowl
  • Duke Ellington Vol. 4: April 30, 1947
  • The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1946–47 (Classics)
  • The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1947 (Classics, 2 volumes)
  • Duke Ellington at Ciro's (Dems)
  • Liberian Suite ()

1948

  • Live at Click Vol. 1
  • Live at Click Vol. 2
  • Carnegie Hall 30 November 1948
  • The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1947–48 (Classics)
  • Cornell (MusicMasters)

1949

  • The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1948–49 (Classics)
  • Duke Ellington at the Empire (Storyville)

1950s

Ellington began the 1950s with his career seemingly in decline with several musicians leaving, Lawrence Brown, Sonny Greer, and Johnny Hodges, although Brown and Hodges later rejoined. After the orchestra's appearance at the 1956 Newport Jazz Festival, with Paul Gonsalves running through 27 choruses of "Diminuendo and Crescendo in Blue", Ellington's profile revived.

1950

  • The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1949–50 (Classics)
  • The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1950 (Classics)
  • Live In Zurich, Switzerland 2.5.1950 (TCB)
  • Great Times! (Riverside) – with Billy Strayhorn

1951

  • Johnny Hodges, Duke Ellington, and Billy Strayhorn All Stars (Prestige)
  • The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1950–51 (Classics)
  • The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1951 (Classics)
  • Masterpieces by Ellington (Columbia)

1952

  • Ellington Uptown (Columbia)
  • Duke on the Air
  • The Seattle Concert (RCA Victor)
  • Live at the Blue Note (Bandstand)
  • Duke Ellington at Birdland (Jazz Unlimited)
  • The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1952 (Classics)
  • Live At The Crystal Gardens

1953

  • The Pasadena Concert (GNP)
  • Duke Ellington Plays the Blues
  • The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1952–53 (Classics)
  • The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1953 (Classics, 2 volumes)
  • Premiered by Ellington (Capitol)
  • The Duke Plays Ellington (Capitol) released on CD as Piano Reflections

1954

  • Ellington '55 (Capitol)
  • Dance to the Duke! (Capitol)
  • Duke Ellington Plays
  • Happy Birthday Duke! April 29 Birthday Sessions (Laserlight)
  • 1954 Los Angeles Concert (GNP)

1955

1956

1957

1958

1959

1960s

In the 1960s, Ellington made recordings with other star names, including Louis Armstrong, Count Basie, John Coltrane, Ella Fitzgerald, Coleman Hawkins and Frank Sinatra. He continued to write and record extended suites, such as his religious "Sacred Concerts", the "Perfume Suite" and the "Latin American Suite."

1960

1961

The above two albums were re–released together in 2001 by Blue Note as The Great Summit

1962

1963

1964

1965

1966

1967

1968

1969

1970s

Ellington remained active to the end of his life, recording three final major suites in the 1970s, the "New Orleans Suite", his "Third Sacred Concert", the "Toga Brava Suite", and "The Afro–Eurasian Eclipse", his most explicit venture into what would be called "world music." His concert at Eastbourne was Ellington's final recording.

1970

1971

1972

1973

1974

Compilations

  • Complete Works: 1924–1947 (Proper UK, 2003, 40-CD set)
  • The Best of Early Duke Ellington (GRP/ Verve, 1926–1931)
  • Masterpieces, 1926–1949 (Proper, 4-CD set)
  • The Beginning Vol. 1 (Decca Jazz Heritage Series, DL 9224, 1926–1928)
  • Hot in Harlem Vol. 2 (Decca Jazz Heritage Series, 1928–1929)
  • Rockin' in Rhythm Vol. 3 (Decca Jazz Heritage Series, DL 79247, 1929–1931)
  • The Duke Box (Storyville) – 8-CD set, released 2007
  • The Gold Collection, 40 Classic Performances (Retro) – 2-CD set
  • The Complete 1932-1940 Brunswick/Columbia/Master Recordings of Ellington and His Famous Orchestra (Mosaic) – 11-CD set
  • 1936–40 Small Group Sessions (Mosaic) – 7-CD set
  • The Centennial Edition: The Complete RCA-Victor Recordings – 24-CD set, released 1999
  • The Complete RCA-Victor Mid-Forties Recordings – released 2000, derived from the Centennial set
  • The Complete Capitol Recordings (Mosaic) – recorded 1951–1955, 5-CD/8-LP, released 1995
  • The Private Collection (1956–1971) (Saja) – 10-CD set)
  • The Reprise Studio Recordings (Mosaic) – recorded 1962–1965, 5-CD set released 1999
  • Duke Ellington's Incidental Music for Shakespeare's Play Timon of Athens, adapted by Stanley Silverman (1993). Posthumous recordings of previously unreleased compositions.

References

  1. ^ The Rolling Stone Jazz Record Guide, p. 70.
  2. ^ Gold, Gerald (December 7, 1986). "Bluebird Flies Once More". The New York Times. Retrieved May 31, 2021.
  3. ^ Watrous, Peter (July 31, 1988). "Ellington in Everything but the Name". The New York Times. Retrieved May 31, 2021.
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