Tag Archives: Cootie Williams
Five Books (Podcast #25-004)
Five Ellington related books, all published by University Press of Mississippi.
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Portrait of Mercer Ellington, Part I (Podcast #24-002)
Mercer Ellington, son of Duke Ellington, is an underrated contributor to the world of Ellingtonia. Continue reading
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Tagged concerts, Cootie Williams, Duke Ellington, Harry Carney, Jazz, Johnny Hodges, Johnny Mercer, Mercer Ellington, music, news, Ray Nance, Sonny Greer
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Portrait of Jimmy Jones (Podcast #24-001)
“Jimmy Jones is a close member of our musical family. Outside of our original version, he and Toby Hardwick were the first to do “Come Sunday.” I have had many different associations with him, the most notable being when we … Continue reading
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Tagged Cootie Williams, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Jimmy Jones, Johnny Hodges, Lawrence Brown, Otto Hardwicke
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Side by Side and Back to Back (Podcast #23-009)
The recordings heard on this podcast episode: (CD: “Duke Ellington, The Centennial Edition” RCA Victor – 09026-63386-2) I Can’t Give You Anything But Love (Recorded 30 October 1928 and 10 November 1928, NYC) Arthur Whetsel, Freddie Jenkins – trumpet; Joe Nanton … Continue reading
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Tagged Cootie Williams, Duke Ellington, Harold "Shorty" Baker, Ivie Anderson, Lawrence Brown, Mae West, Ray Nance, Rex Stewart
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Cootie plays Duke, Part II (Podcast #22-013)
During his 22 year sabbatical from the Duke Ellington orchestra, Cootie Williams continued to feature music from the Ellington songbook. Continue reading
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Tagged Benny Goodman, Coleman Hawkins, Cootie Williams, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Rex Stewart
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Cootie plays Duke, Part I (Podcast #22-012)
During his 22 year sabbatical from the Duke Ellington orchestra, Cootie Williams continued to feature music from the Ellington songbook. Continue reading
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Tagged Cootie Williams, Duke Ellington, Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson, Rex Stewart
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Portrait of Russell Procope, Part II (Podcast #22-007)
The second part of a survey of Russell Procope’s work with the Ellington band. Continue reading
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Tagged Alice Babs, Cootie Williams, Duke Ellington, Jimmy Hamilton, Ray Nance, Russell Procope
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Creole Rhapsody (Podcast #22-005)
“So I went out and wrote Creole Rhapsody, and I did so much music for it that we had to cut t up and do two versions. One came out on Brunswick and the other, longer one, on Victor. Irving … Continue reading
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Tagged Arthur Whetsel, Cootie Williams, Duke Ellington, Harold Ashby, Harry Carney, Johnny Hodges, Lawrence Brown, Norris Turney, Sonny Greer
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And the Trumpets Sing! (Podcast #21-003)
Featuring the singing trumpeters of the Duke Ellington Orchestra. Continue reading
My Favorite (Ellington) Things, according to the iPod (Podcast #21-002)
Here’s a selection of what my iPod says are my most listened-to Ellington songs. Continue reading
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Tagged Alice Babs, Billy Strayhorn, Cat Anderson, Cootie Williams, Duke Ellington, Harry Carney, Johnny Hodges, Paul Gonsalves, Ray Nance
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Portrait of Joya Sherrill (Podcast #20-006)
Joya Sherrill was a featured vocalist with the Ellington orchestra from 1944 to 1946, but returned periodically in subsequent years. One of Ellington’s best vocalists, she deserves wider recognition. Continue reading
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Tagged Billy Strayhorn, Cootie Williams, Duke Ellington, Harold Ashby, Joya Sherrill, Mercer Ellington, Ray Nance, Rex Stewart
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Variations on a Theme Song (Podcast #20-003)
Billy Strayhorn wrote “Take the “A” Train,” which became the band’s theme song in 1941. We survey a number of diverse treatments from a thirty year period. Continue reading
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Tagged Al Killian, Billy Strayhorn, Cootie Williams, Duke Ellington, Jimmy Hamilton, Oscar Peterson, Ray Nance, Take the "A" Train
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Portrait of Rex Stewart, Part II (Podcast #20-002)
Rex Stewart played cornet in the Ellington and from 1934-45. Part II of a look at Stewart’s work with the band and the years beyond. Continue reading
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Tagged Billy Strayhorn, Cootie Williams, cornet, Duke Ellington, Fletcher Henderson, pedal tones, Rex Stewart
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Portrait of Rex Stewart, Part I (Podcast #20-001)
Rex Stewart played cornet in the Ellington and from 1934-45. Part I of a look at Stewart’s work with the band. Continue reading
Beyond the “Usual Suspects” [Again] (Podcast #19-019)
More covers of Ellington compositions that deserve wider exposure. Continue reading
Portrait of Lawrence Brown, Pt. II (Podcast #19-014)
Lawrence Brown (1907-88) was a major voice in the Ellington orchestra. He played with Duke for 29 years, longer than any other trombonist in the orchestra. Continue reading
Portrait of Lawrence Brown, Pt. I (Podcast #19-013)
Lawrence Brown (1907-88) was a major voice in the Ellington orchestra. He played with Duke for 29 years, longer than any other trombonist in the orchestra. Continue reading
Old Wine and New Bottles (Podcast #19-011)
Ellington never liked to set his compositions in stone. Here’s a few examples of how he would re-visit older works…
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Portrait of Johnny Hodges, Pt. I (Podcast #18-020)
Johnny Hodges one of the most unique voices in jazz, graced the Ellington band for almost 40 years.
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Portrait of Ella Fitzgerald (Podcast #18-017)
A look at the magical teaming of Duke and Ella….
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Portrait of Ivie Anderson (Podcast #18-010)
Ivie Anderson was Duke’s first full time singer and was perhaps his best vocalist. Continue reading
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Tagged Billy Strayhorn, Cootie Williams, Duke Ellington, Gilroy, Ivie Anderson, Ivie's Chicken Shack, Johnny Hodges, Marx Brothers
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Where to Start? (Podcast #18-009)
These four CD sets are a great start to a Duke Ellington collection at a reasonable price. Continue reading
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Tagged Al Hibbler, Ben Webster, Britt Woodman, Bubber Miley, Buster Cooper, Cat Anderson, Clark Terry, Cootie Williams, Duke Ellington, Fred Guy, Harry Carney, Ivie Anderson, Jimmie Blanton, Jimmy Hamilton, Joe "Tricky Sam" Nanton, Johnny Hodges, Juan Tizol, Lawrence Brown, Louie Bellson, Paul Gonsalves, Quentin Jackson, Ray Nance, Russell Procope, Sam Woodyard, Sonny Greer, Tyree Glenn
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Sittin’ In (Podcast #18-004)
Over a half century, Ellington crossed paths with many illustrious musicians….
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Tagged Bing Crosby, Buddy Rich, Cat Anderson, Charles Mingus, Cootie Williams, Count Basie, Dizzy Gillespie, Duke Ellington, Elvin Jones, Frank Sinatra, Jimmy Jones, Jimmy Rushing, John Coltrane, Johnny Hodges, Lawrence Brown, Max Roach, podcast, Sam Woodyard, Tommy Dorsey
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Portrait of Ben Webster, Pt. II (Podcast #18-003)
A look at the music of Ben Webster after his tenure with the Duke Ellington Orchestra. Continue reading
Beyond “The Usual Suspects” (Podcast #18-001)
Featuring rarely covered Ellington compositions Continue reading
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Tagged Albert de la Fuente, Alice Babbs, Casablanca, Cootie Williams, Doc Cheatham, Don Byron, Don Cherry, Duke Ellington, Herbie Mann, Jay McShann, Joe "Tricky Sam" Nanton, Johnny Hodges, Lawrence Brown, Norah Jones, Phil Woods, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Second Sacred Concert, Steve Lacy, Usual Suspects
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Season’s Greetings! (Podcast #17-017)
Happy Holidays from Ellington Reflections! We will return with new bi-weekly episodes on 20 January 2018.. Continue reading
Ellington & 100 years of Thelonious Monk and Dizzy Gillespie (Podcast #17-013)
Celebrating the 100th birth anniversaries of Thelonious Monk and Dizzy Gillespie through their connections with Duke Ellington. Continue reading
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Tagged Billy Strayhorn, Cootie Williams, Dizzy Gillespie, Duke Ellington, Jazz, Jimmy Rushing, Newport Jazz Festival, Piano, Thelonious Monk
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When Cootie Left the Duke, Pt. III (Podcast #17-011)
Cootie disbanded his big band in 1947. This episode covers the period of 1947 up until 1962, the year Cootie rejoined Ellington.
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When Cootie Left the Duke, Pt. II (Podcast #17-010)
Cootie Williams starts his own big band after a year long stint with Benny Goodman.
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Tagged 'Round Midnight, Apollo Theater, Benny Goodman, Bob Merrill, Bud Powell, Bunny Berigan, Butch Ballard, Charlie Parker, Cootie Williams, Duke Ellington, Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson, Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis, Epistrophy, growl, Harold "Money" Johnson, Jazz, Jazz Podcast, Joe Guy, Johnny Mercer, Mary Lou Williams, Pearl Bailey, plunger, Pointer Sisters, Sam "The Man" Taylor, Savoy Ballroom, Thelonious Monk, Willis "Gator" Jackson
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When Cootie Left the Duke, Pt. I (Podcast #17-009)
After 11 years with Duke Ellington, Cootie Williams leaves to join Benny Goodman. Continue reading
Reflections on “The Far East Suite” (Podcast #17-007)
Examining different interpretations of Ellington’s Far East Suite Continue reading
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Tagged Alban Wesly, Billy Strayhorn, Calefax Reed Quintet, Cat Anderson, Chris Stormquist, Cootie Williams, Duke Ellington, Harry Carney, Ivar Berix, Jazz, Jelte Althuis, Jimmy Hamilton, John Carlson, John Lamb, Johnny Hodges, Kenny Warren, Lawrence Brown, Maarten Ornstein, Matt Moran, Matt Musselman, Oliver Boekhoorn, Paul Gonsalves, Peter Hess, Peter Stan, podcast, Ron Caswell, Rufus Jones, Slavic Soul Party!, Tim Vaughn, Tony Overwater, Wim Kegel
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Portrait of Mahalia Jackson (Podcast #17-006)
Gospel singer Mahalia Jackson and the Ellington orchestra meet in 1958.
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Tagged Billy Strayhorn, Black Brown and Beige, Cootie Williams, Duke Ellington, Gospel, Jazz, Julian Priester, Mahalia Jackson, New Orleans, New Orleans Suite, Newport Jazz Festival, Norris Turney, Paul Gonsalves, podcast, Ray Nance, Russell Procope, United Methodist Hymnal
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Harlem (Podcast #17-005)
Duke Ellington lived in Harlem and celebrated the city and the people in song. Continue reading
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