Meets John Coltrane & Coleman Hawkins (2 LP on 1 CD)

The jazz establishment met the young iconoclast when Duke Ellington and John Coltrane recorded together in September 1962, a meeting that seems, in retrospect, as unlikely as it was daring. But it worked. Each brought a rhythm section with him; Ellington had bassist Aaron Bell and drummer Sam Woodyard, while Coltrane came with Jimmy Garrison and Elvin Jones. A surprisingly homogenous, lyrical and thoroughly engaging session was capped with a magnificent reading of In A Sentimental Mood, but it also included splendid performances of My Little Brown Book, Take The Coltrane and The Feeling Of Jazz. Ellington is probing and inventive and Coltrane blends beautifully into a mainly Ducal programme.

Recorded a month earlier, the encounter with Coleman Hawkins was an altogether more lighthearted affair, with the two old masters enjoying a friendly and entertaining joust. Hawkins was the only outsider in a band of Ellingtonians Nance, Brown, Hodges, Carney, Bell and Woodyard and its intriguing to hear his gruff, eloquent tenor emerging from the unmistakeable colours of such a group. Limbo Jazz perhaps sums up the mood; its a piece of fun, but there are other moments to savour on Wanderlust and a buoyant The Jeep Is Jumpin and The Ricitic.

Amazing and unpredictable as ever, Ellington here confirms, yet again, his reputation as a musician beyond category.


Tracklisting:

01. In a Sentimental Mood (Ellington-Kurtz-Mills) 4:14
02. Take the Coltrane (Ellington) 4:43
03. Big Nick (Coltrane) 4:27
04. Stevie (Ellington) 4:22
05. My Little Brown Book (Strayhorn) 5:20
06. Angelica (Purple Gazelle) (Ellington) 5:59
07. The Feeling of Jazz (Ellington-Troup-Simon) 5:34
08. Limbo Jazz (Ellington) 5:14
09. Mood Indigo (Ellington-Bigard-Mills) 5:55
10. Ray Charles Place (Ellington) 4:04
11. Wanderlust (Ellington-Hodges) 4:59
12. You Dirty Dog (Ellington) 4:18
13. Self Portrait (Of the Bean) (Ellington-Strayhorn) 3:52
14. The Jeep Is Jumpin (Ellington-Hodges) 4:48
15. The Ricitic (Ellington) 5:50
16. Solitude (Ellington-DeLange-Mills) 5:51 (*)

(*) Bonus track


Sources:

Tracks 1-8, from the album "Duke Ellington & John Coltrane" (Impulse A(S)30)

Tracks 9-15, from the album "Duke Ellington Meets Coleman Hawkins" (Impulse A(S)26)

Track 16, from the album "The Definitive Jazz Scene, Vol. 1" (Impulse A(S)99)


Personnel on "Duke Ellington & John Coltrane:

John Coltrane (ts,ss), Duke Ellington (p), Aaron Bell or Jimmy Garrison #2,3 & 6 (b), Sam Woodyard or Elvin Jones #1-3 & 6 (d).

Recorded at Rudy Van Gelder Studios in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, on September 26, 1962


Personnel on "Meets Coleman Hawkins":

Ray Nance (cnt), Lawrence Brown (tb), Johnny Hodges (as), Coleman Hawkins (ts), Harry Carney (bs, b-cl), Duke Ellington (p), Aaron Bell (b), Sam Woodyard (d).

On # 15 & 16 only Ray Nance (violin), Coleman Hawkins (ts), Duke Ellington (p), Aaron Bell (b), Sam Woodyard (d)

Recorded at Rudy Van Gelder Studios in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, on August 18, 1962



Original recordings produced by Bob Thiele
Recording engineer: Rudy Van Gelder
Cover art designs: Robert Flynn / Viceroy

Produced for CD release by Jordi Pujol


Stereo · 24-Bit Digitally Remastered

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Notes on "Duke Ellington & John Coltrane":

"For this classic encounter, Duke Ellington "sat in" with the John Coltrane Quartet for a set dominated by Ellington's songs; some performances have his usual sidemen (bassist Aaron Bell and drummer Sam Woodyard) replacing Jimmy Garrison and Elvin Jones in the group. Although it would have been preferable to hear Coltrane play in the Duke Ellington orchestra instead of the other way around, the results are quite rewarding. Their version of "In a Sentimental Mood" is a high point, and such numbers as "Take the Coltrane," "Big Nick," and "My Little Brown Book" are quite memorable. Ellington always recognized talent, and Coltrane seemed quite happy to be recording with a fellow genius."


Notes on "Duke Ellington Meets Coleman Hawkins":

"This album documents a historic occasion. Although Coleman Hawkins had been an admirer of Duke Ellington's music for at least 35 years at this point and Ellington had suggested they record together at least 20 years prior to their actual meeting in 1962, this was their first (and only) meeting on record. Although it would have been preferable to hear the great tenor performing with the full orchestra, his meeting with Ellington and an all-star group taken out of the big band does feature such greats as Ray Nance (on cornet and violin), trombonist Lawrence Brown, altoist Johnny Hodges, and baritonist Harry Carney. High points include an exuberant "The Jeep Is Jumpin'," an interesting remake of "Mood Indigo," and a few new Ellington pieces. This delightful music is recommended in one form or another."

Both by Scott Yanow -All Music Guide

Tracklist