Duke Ellington & His Orchestra - VIP's Boogie / Jam with Sam

In the early 1960s five jazz films were commissioned by a corporate sponsor -- one of which featured the Duke Ellington Orchestra.

"VIP's Boogie/Jam with Sam" are showcases for the band's phenomenal soloists and just about everyone in the band participates (except, notably, Hodges), including a stunning closer by Cat Anderson.

The soloists here are (in order):

VIP's Boogie -
1. Harry Carney (bars)
2. Jimmy Hamilton (cl)

Jam with Sam -
1. Harold "Shorty" Baker (tp)
2. Paul Gonsalves (ts)
3. Lawrence Brown (tb)
4. Russel Procope (as)
5. Bill Berry (tp)
6. Ray Nance (tp w/ mute)
7. Eddie Mullens (tp)
8. Cat Anderson (tp)

Personnel:
Ray Nance, Shorty Baker, Cat Anderson, Bill Berry, Ed Mullens (t), Lawrence Brown, Leon Cox, Chuck Connors (tb), Russell Procope, Johnny Hodges (as), Paul Gonsalves (ts), Jimmy Hamilton (cl, ts), Harry Carney (bars), Duke Ellington (p), Aaron Bell (b), Sam Woodyard (d). NYC, Jan 9, 1962.

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• jazz
• duke
• ellington
• cat
• anderson
• harry
• carney
• johnny
• hodges
• paul
• gonsalves

[eflatschilke]

Is this tune available on any DVD?

[kenjames64]

Not on DVD, but for awhile, you could get the set on videotape.

[sounderskid21]

notice the dislike bar, thats right, there isnt one

[OhnoesJG]

what clarinet is that? its a bit high for Bb

[kurtarmbruster]

Very interesting, Ghairraigh; the work habits of this band would make a fascinating book! Thanks for the information.

[ghairraigh]

@kurtarmbruster In an interview Jimmy Hamilton said he and the other Ellingtonians would spend some time each day coming up with a little something to change up and freshen their solos for the evening's performances. Sonny Cohn followed this practice with Basie because in the many years I saw the band live, every night Sonny had incorporated refinements to make a new solo for "April in Paris" while retaining elements of Thad Jones' original 'Pop-goes-the-Weasel' solo from the 1955 album.

[ClearOutSamskaras]

are there any published books of harry's solos, in particular his clarinet work with billie in the 30's?

[kurtarmbruster]

God, but JWS is a gas! These incomparable musicians played their solos unchanged year after year, and some might say that ain't jazz, but me, I say it's jazz at its finest--little gems full of unbeatable swing and fire. God love Duke and all the cats!

[gfks11]

Incredible fantastix!!!

[Easleytee]

The to most prominent artists in American history:

Frank Lloyd Wright

Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington.

One a great architect of space...the other of sound.

[Thundermonkeyms]

Lol Ellington counting during Hamilton's sustained note...

[glottis1984]

absolutely stunning

[keeponkeepinondoco]

Great Video! A piece of history