One of
Duke Ellington's last small-group sessions (mistakenly dated on this album as Dec. 5, 1973), this is a set of duets between the pianist and bassist
Ray Brown. Performed in tribute to bassist
Jimmy Blanton, the duo plays "See See Rider," four of
Ellington's standards (including "Pitter Panther Patter," which was originally recorded as an
Ellington-
Blanton duet) and the four movements of "Fragmented Suite for Piano and Bass."
Brown's solid swing and large tone bring out the best in
Ellington's playing, making this an enjoyable and consistently swinging date.