Unknown Session Explained

Unknown Session
Type:	Album
Artist:	Duke Ellington
Cover:	Unknown Session.jpg
Released:	1979
Recorded:	July 14, 1960
Genre:	Jazz
Length:	38:36
Label:	Columbia
Chronology:	Duke Ellington
Prev Title:	Swinging Suites by Edward E. and Edward G.
Prev Year:	1960
Next Title:	Piano in the Foreground
Next Year:	1961

Unknown Session is an album by American pianist, composer and bandleader Duke Ellington.^[1] It was recorded in 1960 but not released on the Columbia label until 1979.^[2]

Reception

The Bay State Banner noted that "most of the material is standards, but to each number Duke brings a subtle nuance a new shift a revised line."^[3]

The AllMusic review by Scott Yanow stated that "these renditions are quite enjoyable, swing hard and sound fresh. Ellington fans should pick this one up".^[4]

Track listing

All compositions by Duke Ellington except as indicated

1. "Everything But You" (Ellington, Don George, Harry James) - 3:32
2. "Black Beauty" - 3:16
3. "All Too Soon" (Ellington, Carl Sigman) - 3:12
4. "Something to Live For" (Ellington, Billy Strayhorn) - 2:45
5. "Mood Indigo" (Barney Bigard, Ellington, Irving Mills) - 3:48
6. "Creole Blues [Excerpt from Creole Rhapsody]" - 2:30
7. "Don't You Know I Care (Or Don't You Care to Know)" (Mack David, Ellington) - 2:57
8. "A Flower Is a Lovesome Thing" (Strayhorn) - 3:12
9. "Mighty Like the Blues" (Leonard Feather) - 3:19
10. "Tonight I Shall Sleep (With a Smile on My Face)" (Ellington, Irving Gordon) - 2:42
11. "Dual Highway" (Ellington, Johnny Hodges) - 2:52
12. "Blues" - 4:57

• Recorded at Radio Recorders, Los Angeles on July 14, 1960

Personnel

• • Duke Ellington – piano Ray Nance - trumpet
• Lawrence Brown - trombone
• Johnny Hodges - alto saxophone
• Paul Gonsalves - tenor saxophone
  • • Harry Carney - baritone saxophone Aaron Bell - bass Sam Woodyard - drums

Notes and References

1. News: Praise for the Duke . The Globe and Mail . 29 Apr 1978 . P32.
2. News: Wilson . John S. . Discovering Ellington and Tatum Once Again . The New York Times . 20 May 1979 . D26.
3. News: Lane . George . Contemporary Masters Series brings back the best in jazz . Bay State Banner . 32 . 17 May 1979 . 17.
4. Yanow, S. [{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r138272|pure_url=yes}} AllMusic Review] accessed May 28, 2010