The Great Paris Concert [2 disk set] (Collectables, 7818) The Orchestra is in great form on these live recordings from 1963. Featured soloists include Cat Anderson, Cootie Williams, Lawrence Brown, Johnny Hodges and Harry Carney.
Highlights of the Great 1940-1942 Band [2 disk set] (Avid, AMSC1143) The line-up on these recordings is sometimes referred to as “The Blanton-Webster Band.” This period is considered by many to be the brightest in Ellington’s entire career, although even Johnny Hodges and Harry Carney didn’t agree with that assessment. That aside, there are masterpieces galore on this set!
Duke Ellington: The Columbia Years 1927-1962 [3 disk set] (Columbia 5176872) For a variety of reasons, Ellington periodically changed record labels and would sometimes return to a prior label. Here, his three different stints with Columbia are celebrated with a separate disk dedicated to each period. A great cross selection of Ellington music.
Highlights from the Duke Ellington Centennial Edition (1927-1973) [3 disk set] (RCA Victor 09026636722)
The Essential Duke Ellington [2 disk set] (Columbia Legacy 88697892052)
The Afro Eurasian Eclipse (Original Jazz Classics OJCCD 645) Posthumously released, this 1971 recording shows that although there had been many changes in personnel, Ellington adapted and moved on.
The Far East Suite (RCA Bluebird / BMG Heritage 88985308412)
Ellington at Newport 1956 (Complete) [2 disk set] (Columbia/Legacy 64932)
70th Birthday Concert [2 disk set] (Solid State SS 19000)
New Orleans Suite (Warner Bros. 7411644)
The Ellington Suites: The Queen’s Suite/The Goutelas Suite/The UWIS Suite (Original Jazz Classics OJC 34614)
Such Sweet Thunder (Sony Music Distribution COL4691402)
…And his Mother Called Him Bill (RCA / Legacy 88985346442)
Ella Fitzgerald sings the Duke Ellington Songbook [3 CD set] (Verve Records 559 248-2)
Duke Ellington meets John Coltrane & Coleman Hawkins (Fresh Sound Records FSR 749)
Ellington Reflections 