Duke Ellington - His Classic Collaborations: 1956-1963 (4 CDS)

Among the most legendary figures in all of jazz, pianist, arranger and bandleader Duke Ellington informed and guided the entire genre across some 60 years. With his unparalleled eloquence, charisma and inventiveness, he has been credited as instrumentally raising the status of jazz to high art while concurrently broadening its appeal. One of jazz history's most prolific composers, having penned over 1000 pieces during his lifetime, the Duke was renowned too for nurturing the talents of many future jazz greats within his orchestras. To this end he rarely rested, even in his later years, a period during which he recorded some of his finest work, often in collaboration with other esteemed musicians. Duke Ellington kept up a consistent recording and performing schedule for the rest of his life, playing his final concert two months before his death on 24th May 1974 at the age of 75. He left behind a catalogue that has yet to be equalled, from which the selections featured on this four disc set have been drawn. Featuring eight original, remastered albums which the Duke made alongside an esteemed roll call of collaborators during the latter part of his career, this collection illustrates well why this master musician and performer continues to be held in such esteem.

Disc: 1
1. Hey Baby
2. Sophisticated Lady
3. Me And You
4. Passion Flower
5. I Let A Song Go Out Of My Heart
6. It Don't Mean A Thing - If It Ain't Got That Swing
7. Grievin'
8. Blue Rose
9. I'm Checking Out - Goombye
10. I Got It Bad - And That Ain't Good
11. Mood Indigo
12. Part I
13. Part II
14. Part III - aka ''Light''
15. Part IV - aka ''Come Sunday''
16. Part V - aka ''Come Sunday''
17. Part VI - 23rd Psalm

Disc: 2
1. Wabash Blues
2. Basin Street Blues
3. Beale Street Blues
4. Weary Blues
5. St. Louis Blues
6. Loveless Love
7. Royal Garden Blues
8. Duke's Place
9. I'm Just A Lucky So And So
10. Cotton Tail
11. Mood Indigo
12. Do Nothin' Till You Hear From Me
13. The Beautiful American
14. Black And Tan Fantasy
15. Drop Me Off In Harlem
16. The Mooche
17. In A Mellow Tone

Disc: 3
1. Battle Royal
2. To You
3. Take The ''A'' Train
4. Until I Met You
5. Wild Man
6. Segue In C
7. B D B
8. Jumpin' At The Woodside
9. Limbo Jazz
10. Mood Indigo
11. Ray Charles' Place
12. Wanderlust
13. You Dirty Dog
14. Self Portrait - Of The Bean
15. The Jeep Is Jumpin'
16. The Ricitic

Disc: 4
1. Money Jungle
2. Fleurette Africaine
3. Very Special
4. Warm Valley
5. Wig Wise
6. Caravan
7. Solitude
8. In A Sentimental Mood
9. Take The Coltrane
10. Big Nick
11. Stevie
12. My Little Brown Book
13. Angelica
14. The Feeling Of Jazz