Steve Bowie

Ellington Reflections

Music EN ↓ 106 episodes

Reflections on the many facets of the world of Duke Ellington, sometimes referred to as “Ellingtonia.”

Author

Steve Bowie

Episodes

Beyond the “Usual Suspects” [Again] (Podcast #19-019) 16.11.2019 52:38

More covers of Ellington compositions that deserve wider exposure. Continue reading →

“Rabbit’s Blues” – A Conversation with Johnny Hodges biographer Con Chapman (Podcast #19-018) 22.10.2019 40:46

Con Chapman discusses his new biography of Johnny Hodges. Continue reading →

Portrait of Jimmie Blanton (Podcast #19-017) 05.10.2019 42:12

During his short, illness terminated stint with the Ellington band, Jimmie Blanton revolutionized the role of the bass. Continue reading →

Ellingtonian Geography (Podcast #19-016) 21.09.2019 55:20

Geographically titled songs by Ellington and his associates. Continue reading →

The Treasury Shows, Pt. V (Podcast #19-015) 02.09.2019 1:07:51

This is the last part of our look at the 25 double CD set of Storyville's Treasury Show series.... Continue reading →

Portrait of Lawrence Brown, Pt. II (Podcast #19-014) 04.08.2019 1:02:29

Lawrence Brown (1907-88) was a major voice in the Ellington orchestra. He played with Duke for 29 years, longer than any other trombonist in the orchestra. Continue reading →

Portrait of Lawrence Brown, Pt. I (Podcast #19-013) 22.07.2019 45:05

Lawrence Brown (1907-88) was a major voice in the Ellington orchestra. He played with Duke for 29 years, longer than any other trombonist in the orchestra. Continue reading →

The Treasury Shows, Pt. IV (Podcast #19-012) 07.07.2019 43:48

A few selections from Volumes 16 thru 20 of Duke's Treasury Shows.... Continue reading →

Old Wine and New Bottles (Podcast #19-011) 17.06.2019 34:20

Ellington never liked to set his compositions in stone. Here's a few examples of how he would re-visit older works... Continue reading →

Portrait of Otto Hardwicke (Podcast #19-010) 03.06.2019 32:49

Reedman Otto "Toby" Hardwicke was one of the earliest Ellingtonians. Continue reading →

Happy Birthday, Duke! (Podcast #19-009) 19.05.2019 48:11

A belated podcast celebrating the 120th anniversary of Duke Ellington's birth and the 2 anniversary of Ellington Reflections! Continue reading →

Portrait of Bubber Miley (Podcast #19-008) 20.04.2019 42:25

“Bubber Miley was from the body and soul of Soulville. He was raised on soul and saturated and marinated in soul. Every note he played was soul filled with the pulse of compulsion….. Bubber was born in South Carolina, but … Continue reading →

Portrait of Fred Guy (Podcast #19-007) 07.04.2019 19:10

Fred Guy played banjo and guitar in the Ellington Orchestra from 1925 to 1949. Continue reading →

The Treasury Shows, Pt. III (Podcast #19-006) 24.03.2019 1:10:08

Continuing our exploration of Duke's radio broadcasts on behalf of the US Treasury Department. Continue reading →

Duke Ellington, Raconteur Extraordinaire (Podcast #19-005) 02.03.2019 56:07

Duke Ellington was an extraordinary master of ceremonies who reveled in the spoken word.... Continue reading →

The Treasury Shows, Pt. II (Podcast #19-004) 18.02.2019 56:12

A look at some of the music on Volumes 6 through 10 of Storyville Records' release of the Duke Ellington Treasury Series radio shows. Continue reading →

And Now For Something Completely Different…. (Podcast #19-003) 02.02.2019 46:10

Ellington playing the electric piano, Billy Strayhorn on harpsichord and the 1932 band in stereo are just some of the different items you'll hear from the Ellington oeuvre. Continue reading →

Portrait of Johnny Hodges, Pt. III (Podcast #19-002) 20.01.2019 1:00:25

A sample of the many Ellington/Strayhorn compositions that featured the sublime alto sax of Johnny Hodges from his return to the orchestra in 1955 until his death in 1970. Continue reading →

Portrait of Johnny Hodges, Pt. II (Podcast #19-001) 05.01.2019 1:14:45

A look at some of the outside projects done by Johnny Hodges during his second tenure with the Duke Ellington Orchestra. Continue reading →

Portrait of Johnny Hodges, Pt. I (Podcast #18-020) 15.12.2018 1:11:29

Johnny Hodges one of the most unique voices in jazz, graced the Ellington band for almost 40 years. Continue reading →

The Treasury Shows, Pt. I (Podcast #18-019) 17.11.2018 1:17:56

A look at the first 5 volumes of the 25 volume set of Duke Ellington's Treasury Shows released by Storyville Records. Continue reading →

Tiger Rag & its Ellington Contrafacts (Podcast #18-018) 21.10.2018 43:08

Tiger Rag provided Ellington with composition material for many years Continue reading →

Portrait of Ella Fitzgerald (Podcast #18-017) 06.10.2018 59:45

A look at the magical teaming of Duke and Ella.... Continue reading →

Sittin’ In, Part II (Podcast #18-016) 22.09.2018 58:32

Another set of visitors to the Ellington universe - Django Reinhardt, Don Byas, Rosemary Clooney and more! Continue reading →

The Ellington Greatest Hits Medley (Podcast #18-015) 08.09.2018 1:01:14

“We’d like to remind you that you’re very beautiful, very sweet, very gracious, very generous and we do love you madly.” -Duke Ellington The recordings heard on this podcast episode:   Medley/Ellington Final Speech (CD: “Duke Ellington’s 70th Birthday Concert” Solid … Continue reading →