In Order: Ellington Rules, Okeh!

 

For the record, here is a part-discography of those titles Duke Ellington recorded for the Okeh label which fall within the parameters of the most recent issue, Volume 2 of Duke Ellington In Order.

Unlike the practice of numerous 'grey label' consortia which publish without due acknowledgement, choking streaming services and video sites with 'out-of-copyright' dubbing of Ellington's early works, the Producers of Duke Ellington In Order are absolutely scrupulous in ensuring rights are recognised and honoured. Work continues on ascertaining and clarifying those rights as the series evolves. Streaming comes of age with this exceptional project under the expert tutelage of Charles L. Granata.

Sessions not covered on In Order Volume 2.

 

I have listed only the titles which appeared on The Okeh Ellington, Columbia C2K 46177 (Columbia Jazz Masterpieces, US, 1991) There were alternate takes recorded for several titles (The Mooche, East St Louis Toodle-O on 3 April, 1930, Sweet Mamaon 12 June, 1930) 

 

1929:

 

Joe Turner and his Memphis Men         

New York City, NY    

4 April 1929

Columbia recording session

Arthur Whetsel, Cootie Williams, Freddie Jenkins(t); Joe Nanton(tb); Barney Bigard(cl,ts); Johnny Hodges(cl,ss,as); Harry Carney(cl,as,bar); Duke Ellington(p); Fred Guy(bj); Wellman Braud(sb); Sonny Greer(d)

I Must Have That Man                   

Freeze And Melt     

Mississippi Moan

 

Duke Ellington and his Memphis Men   

New York City, NY    

28 May 1929

Columbia recording session

Arthur Whetsel, Freddie Jenkins(t); Joe Nanton(tb); Barney Bigard(cl,ts); Johnny Hodges(cl,ss,as); Harry Carney(cl,as,bar); Duke Ellington(p); Fred Guy(bj); Wellman Braud(sb); Sonny Greer(d)

That Rhythm Man  

 

Sonny Greer and his Memphis Men       

New York City, NY    

Same session

Arthur Whetsel, Freddie Jenkins(t); Joe Nanton(tb); Barney Bigard,Harry Carney(cl); Duke Ellington(p); Fred Guy(bj); Wellman Braud(sb); Sonny Greer(d)

Beggar's Blues       

 

Arthur Whetsel, Freddie Jenkins(t); Joe Nanton(tb); Barney Bigard(cl,ts); Johnny Hodges(as); Duke Ellington(p); Fred Guy(bj); Wellman Braud(sb); Sonny Greer(d)

Saturday Night Function

 

The Harlem Footwarmers

New York City, NY    

2 August 1929

Okeh recording session

Arthur Whetsel(t); Joe Nanton(tb); Barney Bigard(cl,ts); Duke Ellington(p); Fred Guy(bj); Wellman Braud(sb); Sonny Greer(d,ch)

Jungle Jamboree    

Snake Hip Dance   

 

The Harlem Footwarmers 

New York City, NY    

20 November 1929

Okeh recording session

Freddie Jenkins(t); Joe Nanton(tb); Barney Bigard,Harry Carney(cl); Duke Ellington(p); Fred Guy(bj); Sonny Greer(d)

Lazy Duke    

 

Freddie Jenkins(t); Joe Nanton(tb); Barney Bigard(cl); Johnny Hodges(as); Harry Carney(bar); Duke Ellington(p); Fred Guy(bj); Sonny Greer(d)

Blues Of The Vagabond    

Syncopated Shuffle

 

1930

 

Mills Ten Blackberries

New York City, NY    

3 April 1930

Columbia recording session

Arthur Whetsel, Cootie Williams, Freddie Jenkins(t); Joe Nanton, Juan Tizol(tb); Barney Bigard(cl,ts); Johnny Hodges(cl,ss,as); Harry Carney(cl,as,bar); Duke Ellington(p); Fred Guy(bj); Wellman Braud(sb); Sonny Greer(d,ch)

The Mooche

Ragamuffin Romeo*          

East St. Louis Toodle-O

 

*This title did not appear on European issues of The Okeh Ellington