About a month after Duke Ellington’s band famously started at the Cotton Club in Harlem, he recorded three tunes for what I believe was his only session for the Harmony label (Columbia’s budget line which also included the Velvet Tone and Diva labels).
It’s a slow burn – at 0:56 Bigard gives us a plaintive clarinet solo and then at 1:18 Ellington launches into a double-time piano solo that builds momentum for an ensemble ending.
Recorded in New York City on January 9, 1928.
Released as Harmony 601-H.
Credits:
Duke Ellington – piano, arranger, director
Bubber Miley, Louis Metcalfe – trumpet
Joe Nanton – trombone
Otto Hardwick – soprano sax, alto sax, baritone sax
Harry Carney – clarinet, alto sax, baritone sax
Barney Bigard – clarinet, tenor sax
Fred Guy – banjo
Wellman Brand – string bass
Sonny Greer – drums