Jazz Party is a 1959 album by Duke Ellington and His Orchestra which contains a "formidable gallery of jazz stars" guesting, including Dizzy Gillespie and Jimmy Rushing (formerly the vocalist for Count Basie).Puccio, John. (November 1998). "Duke Ellington: Jazz Party in Stereo." Sensible Sound. It also featured a 9-strong percussion section on two tracks.
The recording was first digitally remixed by Larry Keyes and remastered by Vlado Meller in 1987 and released on CD in the CBS Jazz Masterpieces series. A new remastering by Bernie Grundman in the early 2000s was first issued by Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab.
Critical reception
Described as "an example of the ever-surprising repertoire that became characteristic of late Ellington",Crouch, Stanley (January 12, 2005). "The late show". Slate. Accessed September 8, 2007. Jazz Party has been praised particularly for its unique percussion pieces.Dance, Stanley (November 1998). "Duke Ellington: Jazz Party". Jazz Times. Accessed September 8, 2007. Village Voice reviewer Gary Giddins stated that the percussion song "Malletoba Spank" "will rattle in your brain until you die". The multi-part "Toot Suite" has been described as intriguing, though underrated, featuring strong statements from Ellington regulars and guests. Dizzy Gillespie's guest solo on "U.M.M.G." attracts much attention as well, and has been labeled both "enterprising" and "inspired".
Track listing
"Satin Doll" and "Fillie Trillie" are included on the Columbia reissues, not on the original LP, nor on the Mobile Fidelity CD release.
Personnel Performance
Cat Anderson – trumpet Shorty Baker – trumpet Ray Nance – trumpet Clark Terry – trumpet Andres Ford – trumpet Quentin Jackson – trombone Britt Woodman – trombone John Sanders – valve trombone Jimmy Hamilton – clarinet, tenor saxophone Johnny Hodges – alto saxophone Russell Procope – clarinet, alto saxophone Paul Gonsalves – tenor saxophone Harry Carney – baritone saxophone Duke Ellington – piano Jimmy Woode – double bass Sam Woodyard – drums
Guests Dizzy Gillespie – trumpet on "U.M.M.G." and "Hello Little Girl" Jimmy Jones – piano on "Hello Little Girl" Jimmy Rushing – vocals on "Hello Little Girl" Percussion section on "Malletoba Spank" and "Tymperturbably Blue" Elden C. Bailey – percussion Harry Breuer – percussion George Gaber – percussion Morris Goldenberg – percussion Chauncey Morehouse – percussion Walter Rosenberg – percussion Bobby Rosengarden – percussion Milton Schlesinger – percussion Brad Spinney – percussion
Production Irving Townsend – producer, liner notes Larry Keyes – digital remix (1987) Vlado Meller – remastering (1987) Bernie Grundman – remastering (early 2000s) Amy Herot – production coordination
References