Portrait of Mercer Ellington, Part III (Podcast #24-005)

Ellington Reflections

https://ellingtonreflections.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/portrait-of-mercer-ellington_part-iii.mp3

In 1994, Mercer appeared on an episode of Marian McPartland’s Piano Jazz – On this 1994 episode of Piano Jazz, Mercer Ellington joins host Marian McPartland to discuss working for his famous father, composing and Billy Strayhorn, and to play a piano duet of “C Jam Blues.” Mercer Ellington’s own composition skills shine in “Moon Mist.”

https://www.npr.org/2015/03/13/392842995/mercer-ellington-on-piano-jazz

Here’s the link to make a donation to USC Arcadia Hospital: https://www.uscarcadiahospital.org/foundation/make-a-donation/

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The recordings heard on this podcast episode:

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Portrait for Pea (CD: “New Mood Indigo” Doctor Jazz FDD 5002)

Recorded 5 January 1966, New York City

Ray Nance – cornet; Johnny Hodges – alto sax; Paul Gonsalves – tenor sax; Harry Carney -baritone sax; Chick Corea – piano; Aaron Bell – bass; Louis Bellson – drums.

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(CD: “Continuum” Fantasy FCD-24765-2)

Blue Serge

Recorded 16-17 July 1974, New York City

Mercer Ellington – conductor; Cootie Williams, James “Buddy” Bolden, Harold “Money” Johnson, Barrie Lee Hall, Jr. – trumpet; Art Baron, Vince Prudente, Chuck Connors – trombone; Harold Minerve, James Spaulding, Maurice Simon, Harold Ashby, Harry Carney – reeds; Lloyd Mayers – piano; Larry Ridley – bass; Quentin “Rocky” White – drums.

Harlem Air Shaft

Recorded 6-7 January 1975, Chicago

Mercer Ellington – conductor; Cootie Williams, James “Buddy” Bolden, Harold “Money” Johnson, Barrie Lee Hall, Jr., Calvin Ladner – trumpet; Art Baron, Vince Prudente, Chuck Connors – trombone; Harold Minerve, Maurice Simon, Harold Ashby, Ricky Ford, Anatole Gerasimov, Joe Temperley – reeds; Lloyd Mayers – piano; Edward Ellington II – guitar; J. J. Wiggins – bass; Freddie Waits – drums.

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The Duke’s Suite / Danske Onje (Danish Eyes) – (CD: “Music is my Mistress” Music Masters CIJD 60185K)

Recorded

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East St. Louis Toodle-oo (LP: “Hot and Bothered (A Re-creation)” Doctor Jazz FW40029)

Recorded 22 June 1984, Los Angeles

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Caravan / Osceola / Calyph (CD: “Only God Can Make a Tree” Music Masters 01612-65117-2)

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Moon Mist (CD: “Unheard Bird” Arbor Records ARCD 19489)

Recorded 2023, New York City

Ken Peplowski – clarinet, tenor saxophone; Terell Stafford – trumpet, Glenn Zaleski – piano; Peter Washington – bass; Willie Jones III – drums; Kow Xiu Yi, Tia Allen – violin; Kayla Williams – viola; Robin Park – cello; Elizabeth Steiner – harp; Keve Wilson – oboe.

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— Our closing music—-

It’s Something You Ought To Know (Paul Gonsalves – “Ellingtonia Moods and Blues,” RCA Victor / RCA63562)

Recorded 29 February 1960, New York City

Paul Gonsalves- tenor sax; Johnny Hodges – alto sax; Ray Nance – cornet; Mitchell “Booty” Wood – trombone; Jimmy Jones – piano; Al Hall – bass; Oliver Jackson – drums.