The two CD package, At the Cotton Club, is a true gift to Duke Ellington aficionados. The package contains a grand total of 48 tracks, equating to approximately 2 hours and 16 minutes of pure recorded jazz bliss. The project was recently released for the first time by Storyville records. For the few that are unaware, Storyville is the oldest independent jazz label in Europe. The label consistently treats recorded jazz with the reverence and respect it richly deserves.
First and foremost, gratitude must be extended to Joseph Schillinger, who,using the highest quality recording equipment available at the time, made these broadcast recordings possible. The music appreciation public is deeply indebted to this individual.
As an aside, I urge music lovers not familiar with Mr. Schillinger (b.1895-d.1943), to explore his major achievements particularly in the field of composition. He was a highly respected Columbia University academic and private teacher of composition. A leading exponent, from the Russian music school, of precise written theory using mathematical expressions. His pupils included George Gershwin, Mel Powell, Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey, Hal Kemp and countless other notable music artists.
As noted, the CD tracks originate from broadcasts of Cotton Club performances dating from May 1937 through May 1938. There are also three tracks recorded April 29, 1939 (Duke's birthday) from a performance conducted at the Konserthuset in Stockholm.
The music ranges from Ellington piano solos, small groups and full orchestra. The compositions include some of his most commercial successes, e.g. Mood Indigo. East St. Louis Toodle-Oo, In a Sentimental Mood, etc., to more obscure material. Much of the lesser know work originated from Dukes Cotton Club review scores. All the material is rewarding and musically refreshing as individual and collective work.
The musicians associated with the late thirties Ellington orchestra and who participated to the fullest on these recordings are at the zenith of their performance powers. A partial list of the artists who deliver various outstanding solo work include Johnny Hodges, Cootie Williams, Wallace Jones, Rex Stewart, Harry Carney, Ivie Anderson, Barney Bigard and countless others.
Needless to say, the actual performances are priceless. One can sense listening, that the performances intensity is driven in part by the ongoing appreciation and response of the Cotton Club audience.
A note of appreciation to Andrew Homzy for the extremely comprehensive and entertaining liner notes. Also, gratitude must be extended to Carl Hallstrom for the quality reissue production and Bjorn Almstedt for the sensitivity and care applied in remastering.
Highly recommended.