In 1967, the west African nation of Togo released a postage stamp of Duke Ellington. Ellington reciprocated by writing the four movement Togo Brava Suite in 1971, the subject of this month’s episode of Ellington Reflections.

1967 Togo postage stamp celebrating Duke Ellington

A performance of the Togo Brava Suite performed by the European Broadcasting Union Jazz Orchestra under the direction of Andrew Homzy

The recordings heard on this podcast episode:

Togo Brava Suite (CD: “Togo Brava Suite” Storyville Records STCD 8323)

Recorded 28 June 1971, New York City

Cootie Williams, Richard Williams, Harold “Money” Johnson, Mercer Ellington – trumpet; Booty Wood, Malcolm Taylor, Chuck Connors – trombone; Russell Procope, Buddy Pearson, Norris Turney, Harold Ashby, Paul Gonsalves, Harry Carney – reeds; Duke Ellington – piano; Joe Benjamin – bass; Rufus Jones – drums.

Togo Brava Suite (CD: “Duke Ellington Live at the Whitney” Impulse! IMP 11732)

Recorded 10 April 1972, Whitney Museum, New York City

Duke Ellington – piano; Joe Benjamin – bass; Rufus Jones – drums.

Togo Brava Suite (CD: “Togo Brava Suite” Blue Note Records 7243 8 30082)

Recorded 22 October 1971, Bristol, UK

Cootie Williams, Johnny Coles, Harold “Money” Johnson, Eddie Preston, Mercer Ellington – trumpet; Booty Wood, Malcolm Taylor, Chuck Connors – trombone; Russell Procope, Norris Turney, Harold Minerve, Harold Ashby, Paul Gonsalves, Harry Carney – reeds ; Duke Ellington – piano; Joe Benjamin – bass; Rufus Jones – drums.

— Our closing music—-

It’s Something You Ought To Know (Paul Gonsalves – “Ellingtonia Moods and Blues,” RCA Victor / RCA63562)

Recorded 29 February 1960, New York City

Paul Gonsalves- tenor sax; Johnny Hodges – alto sax; Ray Nance – cornet; Mitchell “Booty” Wood – trombone; Jimmy Jones – piano; Al Hall – bass; Oliver Jackson – drums.