Search - Louie Bellson :: Ellington: Black Brown & Beige

Completely wonderful big band tone poem...

William E. Adams | Midland, Texas USA | 07/04/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I admit I haven't heard the two versions by Ellington's Orchestra which exist on CD, and they must be great. But it is hard to imagine those being better than this one. The 20 players Louis Bellson assembled in late 1992 to perform Duke's famous concert work about the history of Afro-Americans, first performed in 1943, put their hearts and souls and minds and talents into the job. Maurice Peress conducted the group with great style. Also on this long CD are two short pieces composed by Bellson himself, and Bellson's long "Ellington-Strayhorn Suite." Everything is great, most of it lively, swinging, classy and compelling. Of the ten or so big band jazz discs I put in my collection in the past year or two, this is the one I'll be playing most often. Saxophones, trumpets and trombones lead the parade here, accented by drums, piano, bass, guitar and violin. If you care about jazz, especially big band style, or you already like Duke, or you want to like Duke, don't miss this."