Duke Ellington’s Best Instrumental Music

Duke Ellington’s Best Instrumental Music- If you are looking for some great instrumental music to listen to, then you should check out Duke Ellington’s best hits!

Introduction

Duke Ellington was an American composer, pianist and bandleader of jazz orchestras. He is considered one of the greatest figures in jazz history, and his music had a profound influence on the development of the genre. In a career spanning more than 50 years, he composed thousands of songs, including dozens of hits that have become standards in the jazz repertoire.

Ellington’s music was characterized by its sophisticated harmonies, distinctive melodies and elegant style. His compositions ranged from big band pieces to intimate solo piano works, and he was equally adept at improvisation and composition. He wrote for every instrument in the jazz orchestra, and his compositions were often tailored to the individual strengths of his musicians.

Ellington’s work had a profound influence on subsequent generations of jazz musicians, and his songs remain some of the most popular in the genre. Here are 10 of Duke Ellington’s best instrumental pieces:

1. “Sophisticated Lady”
2. “Take The ‘A’ Train”
3. “Mood Indigo”
4. “Solitude”
5. “In A Sentimental Mood”
6. “I Let A Song Go Out Of My Heart”
7. “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore”
8. “I’m Beginning To See The Light”
9. “Do Nothin’ Till You Hear From Me”
10. “Caravan”

The Best of Duke Ellington’s Instrumental Music

Duke Ellington’s instrumental music is some of the best there is. It features a wide range of genres, from big band and swing to bebop and beyond. Duke Ellington’s music is also known for its complex harmonies and rich melodies. If you’re a fan of instrumental music, then you should definitely check out Duke Ellington’s best work.

“Mood Indigo”

“Mood Indigo” is a composition by Duke Ellington originally titled “Dreamy Blues”. It was first recorded on October 31, 1930, by The Duke Ellington Orchestra. It became one of Ellington’s signature pieces and was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1998.

The composition is notable for its use of the blue note, which gives the piece a melancholic feel. It is also notable for its use of the clarinet as the lead instrument, which was unusual for jazz compositions at the time. “Mood Indigo” was one of the first jazz compositions to feature the clarinet prominently, and it helped to popularize the use of the instrument in jazz.

The original recording of “Mood Indigo” featured Barney Bigard on clarinet and Johnny Hodges on alto saxophone. The composition has been recorded by many other artists over the years, including Louis Armstrong, Miles Davis, Ella Fitzgerald, Django Reinhardt, and Nat King Cole.

“Sophisticated Lady”

“Sophisticated Lady” is a composition by Duke Ellington. It was first recorded on March 7, 1933, by Ellington and his Jungle Band for the Victor label. The song was inspired by Ellington’s mother, Daisy Kennedy Ellington.

The piece is considered to be one of Ellington’s signature compositions and has been recorded by many artists, including Miles Davis, Art Tatum, Billie Holiday, and Nat King Cole.

“Solitude”

One of Duke Ellington’s most prolific and well-known pieces, “Solitude” is a 1932 composition that has been performed by many artists over the years. The melody is simple and haunting, with a feeling of longing and nostalgia. The original lyrics were written by Irving Mills, but they are seldom heard nowadays.

Instrumentally, “Solitude” features a solo piano with a guitar accompaniment. The piano playing is complex and skilled, with a beautiful touch that brings out the emotions in the piece. The guitar playing is also excellent, providing a perfect counterpoint to the piano.

The overall effect of “Solitude” is one of sadness and longing, but there is also a sense of hope and possibility. It is this mix of emotions that makes the piece so powerful and timeless.

“In a Sentimental Mood”

“In a Sentimental Mood” is a jazz standard composed by Duke Ellington in 1935. The song was first recorded by Ellington and his band in the same year, and has since been recorded by many other artists.

The song is often considered to be one of the best examples of Ellington’s ability to write melody, and his lyrical style of composition. The melody is based on a gospel hymn, “I’m So Glad Trouble Don’t Last Always”. The composition makes use of the blues scale, and features a number of chromatic passing tones.

The original recording of “In a Sentimental Mood” featured Bing Crosby on vocals, and was released as part of the Duke Ellington-Bing Crosby collaboration album, Songs I Didn’t Sing. The song was also included on Ellington’s 1957 album, Ellington at Newport.

“Take the ‘A’ Train”

“Take the ‘A’ Train” is an instrumental composition written by Billy Strayhorn that was first performed in 1941 by Duke Ellington and his band. The piece quickly became a jazz standard and is one of the most recorded jazz compositions of all time. It is also the signature tune of the A train, a New York City Subway service.

The song was originally titled “Atomic Energy” and was inspired by Ellington’s first experience hearing nuclear testing in Nevada. Strayhorn wrote the lyrics after being given wrong directions to Ellington’s house in Harlem; instead of taking Lenox Avenue, he took the A train. The lyrics to “Take the ‘A’ Train” are rarely sung when the song is performed instrumentally; however, aerialist trapeze artist Annie Trumbull did sing them while performing with Ellington at Carnegie Hall in December 1944.

The piece is played in 4/4 time at a fast tempo of around 208 beats per minute. It features an eight-bar trumpet solo by Cootie Williams, after which the full band plays the main melody for 32 bars. The bridge consists of 16 bars in which Williams plays another solo, this time joined by baritone saxophonist Harry Carney. The melody then returns for a final 24-bar section featuring solos from alto saxophonist Johnny Hodges and trombonist Lawrence Brown.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Duke Ellington was an extremely talented musician who left behind a large catalog of amazing instrumental music. While he is best known for his work in the jazz genre, he also dabbled in other styles such as Latin and pop. No matter what your musical preferences are, there is bound to be something in Ellington’s discography that you will enjoy. So sit back, relax, and let the Duke take you on a musical journey.