Product Description

Duke Ellington may have turned 70 in 1969, but he was never short of energy, creativity and innovations. At the time of this Nov. 2, 1969 concert in Copenhagen, Ellington had been leading his orchestra for 44 years, but he still never really looked back in time or sought to recreate the past. Even when he performed older favorites, they were rearranged and full of surprises, and Duke's own piano playing was modern, percussive and unpredictable. Twelve soloists are heard from during this 83-minute set including such veterans as trumpeters Cootie Williams and Cat Anderson, trombonist Lawrence Brown, altoist Harry Carney and Paul Gonsalves on tenor. Along with exciting versions of "C Jam Blues," "Rockin' In Rhythm" and "Take The 'A' Train," the highlights include a three-song Johnny Hodges medley, a haunting "La Plus Belle Africaine," and a tenor battle among Gonsalves, Harold Ashby and Norris Turney on "Diminuendo And Crescendo In Blue." Filmed in color and with close-ups that give listeners the experience of being onstage with the Duke Ellington Orchestra, this DVD saves for posterity an exciting concert, one well worth experiencing many times.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #144521 in DVD
• Released on: 2005-12-26
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Color, Dolby, DVD, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 83 minutes

Customer Reviews

ONE OF HIS LAST GREAT CONCERTS WITH JOHNNY HODGES
For true Ellington fans this is the last "authentic" Ellington Band. Because Johnny Hodges is still sitting center-stage - playing the same pivotal role he immediately assumed when joining the Duke 50 years earlier as a 22-year old. It has another huge bonus, the unusual addition to the band of Wild Bill Davis, who of course was responsible for giving Hodges's Verve recording career a huge boost when they first joined forces in 1961.

The other pleasure to be gained from this DVD is one can SEE what can only be imagined listening to the recordings made 26 days later at concerts in Manchester. Issued by United Artists as "Duke Ellington's 70th Birthday Concert". These latter concerts were a lot more lively due to the enthusiastic Mancunian response to the faster numbers - especially Satin Doll - but in essence it's the same program with some minor omissions. Notably no vocals from Tony Watkins, no Tootie for Cootie and no medley.

The big bonus is to SEE the legendary sax section in extreme close up. Is there a more beautiful sight in music than a side view of 5 gleaming gold saxophones being played in unison? The real force behind the "Ellington effect". Being short one trombone there were in fact 6 saxes. The sixth Rorris Turney, coming forward for a tenor-sax duel in In Triplicate (as it was later named) and seeming to win (where non-breathy sound is concerned).

Although the cameras do occasionally miss filming whoever is taking a short solo this DVD replicates exactly what one would see and hear if sitting on stage - as I did at the Royal Festival Hall in the late 50's - when the Musicians Union finally allowed Duke to tour Europe again.

The high point of every concert being when the magisterial Johnny Hodges performed his 3 number melodic magic. In this instance especially poignant as he was to die 6 months later. But here he is clearly enjoying the camaradie of the greatest sax section in the history of jazz. Especially happy beside Russell Procope - who plays a great solo in 4:30 Blues. Lastly, there is a wonderful low key encore with Wild Bill and the Duke enjoying a respectful low key duet on Black Swan. Showcasing their mastery of the tonal possibilities of a Hammond organ and a grand piano

The thought occurs why would this band, half of whom were well over 60, spend a month criss-crossing Europe in chilly November? Requiring long and short flights, being transported from cold exteriors to over-heated interiors (in this concert sweating under TV lights) etc.?

This DVD provides the obvious explantion. As can be seen from their demeanour none of these musician/virtuosos would choose to remain relaxing at home when offered one more opportunity to be on the road "doing their thing" before appreciative audiences who fully understood the artistic and historic role Duke Ellington played in making jazz America's greatest contribution to world culture.