Happy Reunion Explained

Happy Reunion
Type:	Album
Artist:	Duke Ellington
Cover:	Happy Reunion.jpg
Released:	1985
Recorded:	March 19, 1956 & June 24, 1958
Studio:	Universal Studios, Chicago
Genre:	Jazz
Length:	33:35
Label:	Doctor Jazz FW 40030
Producer:	Duke Ellington & Bill Putnam
Chronology:	Duke Ellington
Prev Title:	The Cosmic Scene
Prev Year:	1958
Next Title:	Newport 1958
Next Year:	1958

Happy Reunion is an album by American pianist, composer and bandleader Duke Ellington recorded in 1956 and 1958 but not released on the Doctor Jazz label until 1985.^[1] The album features two small group sessions led by Ellington and recorded in Chicago.^[2]

Reception

The Allmusic review by Scott Yanow stated: "A particular highlight is hearing Gonsalves play 31 choruses on "Diminuendo and Crescendo in Blue" in this setting".^[3]

Track listing

All compositions by Duke Ellington except where noted

1. "Way Back Blues" (Count Basie) - 3:25
2. "Where's the Music?" - 3:11
3. "Rubber Bottom" - 2:48
4. "Play the Blues and Go" - 4:32
5. "In a Mellow Tone" [Take 1] (Ellington, Milt Gabler) - 3:14
6. "In a Mellow Tone" [Take 2] (Ellington, Gabler) - 2:58
7. "Happy Reunion" [Take 1] - 3:26
8. "Happy Reunion" [Take 2] - 2:42
9. "Diminuendo and Crescendo in Blue (The Wailing Interval)" - 7:20

• Recorded at Universal Studios, Chicago on March 19, 1956 (tracks 1-4) and June 24, 1958 (tracks 5-9).

Personnel

• Duke Ellington – piano
• Clark Terry - trumpet (tracks 1-4)
• John Sanders - valve trombone (tracks 1-4)
• Jimmy Hamilton - clarinet (tracks 1-4)
• Johnny Hodges - alto saxophone (tracks 1-4)
• Paul Gonsalves - tenor saxophone (tracks 5-9)
  • Jimmy Woode - bass Sam Woodyard - drums

Notes and References

1. http://www.bsnpubs.com/new/drjazz.pdf Both Sides Now: Doctor Jazz Label Discography
2. http://depanorama.net/ Duke Ellington Panorama: Discography
3. Yanow, S. [{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r138208|pure_url=yes}} Allmusic Review] accessed May 10, 2010