“Ray Nance never played a bad note in his life, so this makes him unique among artists who practice freedom of expression in music. Singer, violinist, cornetist, and dancer, he is consistently a gas!”

–Duke Ellington, Music Is My Mistress

The recordings heard on this podcast episode:

Humoresque (CD: “Carnegie Hall, November 13, 1948” Vintage Jazz Classics 1024)

Recorded 13 November 1948 at Carnegie Hall, New York City

Shelton Hemphill, Al Killian, Francis Williams, Harold Baker – trumpetRay Nance – violin; Lawrence Brown, Quentin Jackson, Tyree Glenn – trombone; Jimmy Hamilton, Russell Procope, Johnny Hodges, Al Sears, Ben Webster, Harry Carney – reeds; Duke Ellington – piano; Fred Guy – guy; Wendell Marshall – bass; Sonny Greer – drums.

Dance #3 [from “The Liberian Suite”] (CD: “Ellington Uptown” Columbia Legacy ‎ CK 87066)

Recorded 24 December 1947 in New York City

Shelton Hemphill, Al Killian, Francis Williams, Harold Baker – trumpet; Ray Nance – violin; Lawrence Brown, Claude Jones, Tyree Glenn – trombone; Jimmy Hamilton, Russell Procope, Johnny Hodges, Al Sears, Harry Carney – reeds; Duke Ellington – piano; Fred Guy – guitar; Oscar Pettiford, Junior Raglin – bass; Sonny Greer – drums.

Bakiff (LP: “The Duke is On the Air” Aircheck Records #4)

Recorded 30 July 1952 in Chicago

Willie Cook, Cat Anderson, Clark Terry – trumpet; Ray Nance – violin; Britt Woodman, Quentin Jackson, Juan Tizol – trombone; Jimmy Hamilton, Russell Procope, Hilton Jefferson, Paul Gonsalves, Harry Carney – reeds; Duke Ellington – piano; Wendell Marshall – bass; Louie Bellson – drums.

Artistry In Rhythm (CD: “Recollections of the Big Band Era” Warner Bros. 7411628)

Recorded 3 January 1963 in New York City

Cootie Williams, Roy Burrowes, Cat Anderson – trumpet; Ray Nance – violin; Lawrence Brown, Buster Cooper, Chuck Connors – trombone; Jimmy Hamilton, Russell Procope, Johnny Hodges, Paul Gonsalves, Harry Carney – reeds; Billy Strayhorn – piano; Ernie Shepard – bass; Sam Woodyard – drums.

Fiddler on the Diddle (CD: “Concert in the Virgin Islands” Collectables 6734)

Recorded 14 April 1965 in Chicago

Jimmy Hamilton, Johnny Hodges, Russell Procope, Paul Gonsalves, Harry Carney – reeds; John Lamb – bass; Sam Woodyard – drums.

Lay-By [from “Suite Thursday”] (CD: “The Great Paris Concert” Collectables 7818)

Recorded 1 February 1963 in Paris, France

Cootie Williams, Roy Burrowes, Cat Anderson – trumpet; Ray Nance – violin; Lawrence Brown, Buster Cooper, Chuck Connors – trombone; Jimmy Hamilton,; Russell Procope, Johnny Hodges, Paul Gonsalves, Harry Carney – reeds; Duke Ellington – piano; Ernie Shepard – bass; Sam Woodyard – drums.

The Feeling of Jazz (CD: “Duke Ellington’s Jazz Violin Session” Wounded Bird WOU 1688)

Recorded 22 February 1963 in Paris, France

Ray Nance, Stephan Grappelli – violin; Sven Asmussen – viola; Buster Cooper – trombone; Russell Procope – alto sax; Paul Gonsalves – tenor sax; Duke Ellington – piano; Ernie Shepard – bass; Sam Woodyard – drums.

Duplexity (CD: “The Lee Konitz Duets” Milestone OJCCD-466-2)

Recorded 1967 in New York City

Ray Nance – violin; Lee Konitz – tenor sax.

Up Jumps Sally (CD: “The Complete Stuff Smith Session” Mosaic #186)

Recorded 23 March 1964 in New York City

Stuff Smith, Ray Nance – violin; Jimmy Jones – piano; Kenny Burrell – guitar; Milt Hinton – bass; Osie Johnson – drums.

Guitar Amour (CD: “Duke Ellington in the Uncommon Market” Pablo 2308247)

Recorded 6 February 1963 in Stockholm

Cootie Williams, Roy Burrowes, Cat Anderson – trumpet; Ray Nance – violin; Lawrence Brown, Buster Cooper, Chuck Connors – trombone; Jimmy Hamilton,; Russell Procope, Johnny Hodges, Paul Gonsalves, Harry Carney – reeds; Duke Ellington – piano; Ernie Shepard – bass; Sam Woodyard – drums.