The second of ten CDs of previously unissued recordings of
Duke Ellington, this set differs from the others by being from a single live session, a dance concert from 1958. The orchestra at the time boasted such stars as trumpeters
Shorty Baker,
Clark Terry and
Ray Nance, trombonists
Quentin Jackson and
Britt Woodman and a superb saxophone section, although
Johnny Hodges is temporarily absent. The music on this CD sticks to standards (some of which were not usually associated with
Duke) and can be thought of as a live version of Indigos although the inclusion of some up-tempo material (including a totally ad-lib "Lady Be Good") adds more variety. A typically excellent example of 1958
Duke Ellington. ~ Scott Yanow