Duke Ellington: The Duke In Munich

This previously unissued Duke Ellington Orchestra CD contains 24 numbers (66 minutes, including two 9-minute suites), recorded live in Munich, Germany, in 1958.
The band consists of practically the same musicians who play much of the same music as performed on Ellington's famous come-back concert/album, Newport, 1956. The music performed on the CD is entirely from the Ellington/Billy Strayhorn songbook. Featured soloists are Johnny Hodges on alto sax, Paul Gonsalves on tenor, Harry Carney on baritone, Clark Terry on trumpet, Britt Woodman on trombone, and Jimmy Hamilton on clarinet. The musicians are obviously having a ball and playing at the top of their powers; there is never a dull moment with many fine solos: check out Johnny Hodges on Jeep's Blues