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

Portrait of Louis Armstrong (Podcast #18-014) 25.08.2018 41:14

If there were a Mount Rushmore for American Music, Ellington and Armstrong would be guaranteed members. Here we highlight their collaborations. Continue reading →

Piano In the Foreground, II (Podcast #18-013) 28.07.2018 50:12

Piano solo, duet and trio interpretations of Ellington compositions by Duke and others.... Continue reading →

Portrait of Al Hibbler (Podcast #18-012) 14.07.2018 50:26

Al Hibbler was with the Ellington band from 1943 to 1951. Continue reading →

Beyond the Valley of the Usual Suspects (Podcast #18-011) 30.06.2018 1:12:27

Another sampling of rarely covered Ellington compositions.... Continue reading →

Portrait of Ivie Anderson (Podcast #18-010) 16.06.2018 45:14

Ivie Anderson was Duke's first full time singer and was perhaps his best vocalist. Continue reading →

Where to Start? (Podcast #18-009) 19.05.2018 56:27

These four CD sets are a great start to a Duke Ellington collection at a reasonable price. Continue reading →

The Symphonic Ellington (Podcast #18-008) 05.05.2018 37:08

Borrowing the title of a 1963 album to survey a few of Ellington's recordings with symphony orchestras. Continue reading →

Portrait of Sonny Greer (Podcast #18-007) 21.04.2018 44:07

William Alexander "Sonny" Greer was the Ellington band's first drummer; his tenure was from 1923-51. Continue reading →

Beyond the Usual Suspects, Again (Podcast #18-006) 07.04.2018 54:05

Another survey of Ellington covers - beyond those you usually hear. Continue reading →

Duke Ellington’s “String Section” (Podcast #18-005) 24.03.2018 53:45

This episode focuses on the violin of the multi-talented Ray Nance... Continue reading →

Sittin’ In (Podcast #18-004) 10.03.2018 55:06

Over a half century, Ellington crossed paths with many illustrious musicians.... Continue reading →

Portrait of Ben Webster, Pt. II (Podcast #18-003) 24.02.2018 1:20:46

A look at the music of Ben Webster after his tenure with the Duke Ellington Orchestra. Continue reading →

Portrait of Ben Webster, Pt. I (Podcast #18-002) 10.02.2018 49:26

The addition of Ben Webster in 1940 permanently brought Ellington's saxophone section to five members. But Webster's tenor voice was to impact the band far beyond his four year tenure. Continue reading →

Beyond “The Usual Suspects” (Podcast #18-001) 20.01.2018 1:08:48

Featuring rarely covered Ellington compositions Continue reading →

Season’s Greetings! (Podcast #17-017) 04.12.2017 3:03

Happy Holidays from Ellington Reflections! We will return with new bi-weekly episodes on 20 January 2018.. Continue reading →

The Cinematic Ellington (Podcast #17-016) 18.11.2017 48:12

A survey of Duke Ellington's film appearances and soundtracks. Continue reading →

The River (Podcast #17-015) 04.11.2017 43:03

Ellington was commissioned by the American Ballet Theatre to write a ballet, which became "The River" in 1970. Continue reading →

Reflections from the Avant Garde (Podcast #17-014) 21.10.2017 55:21

Sun Ra, Cecil Taylor, Archie Shepp and others interpret Ellington's music. Continue reading →

Ellington & 100 years of Thelonious Monk and Dizzy Gillespie (Podcast #17-013) 07.10.2017 53:10

Celebrating the 100th birth anniversaries of Thelonious Monk and Dizzy Gillespie through their connections with Duke Ellington. Continue reading →

Portrait of Barney Bigard (Podcast #17-012) 23.09.2017 1:03:45

New Orleanian Barney Bigard joined the Ellington band in December 1927 and left in 1942 after tiring of life on the road. Continue reading →

When Cootie Left the Duke, Pt. III (Podcast #17-011) 09.09.2017 58:56

Cootie disbanded his big band in 1947. This episode covers the period of 1947 up until 1962, the year Cootie rejoined Ellington. Continue reading →

When Cootie Left the Duke, Pt. II (Podcast #17-010) 19.08.2017 57:24

Cootie Williams starts his own big band after a year long stint with Benny Goodman. Continue reading →

When Cootie Left the Duke, Pt. I (Podcast #17-009) 05.08.2017 57:28

After 11 years with Duke Ellington, Cootie Williams leaves to join Benny Goodman. Continue reading →

Piano in the Foreground (Podcast #17-008) 22.07.2017 1:04:43

We feature piano versions of Ellington's music, by the Maestro himself and other giants like Hines, Tyner, Waller, Tatum and others.... Continue reading →

Reflections on “The Far East Suite” (Podcast #17-007) 08.07.2017 1:53:08

Examining different interpretations of Ellington's Far East Suite Continue reading →