Dec 28 2024 60 mins
In 1994, Mercer appeared on an episode of Marian McPartland’s Piano Jazz – On this 1994 episode of Piano Jazz, Mercer Ellington joins host Marian McPartland to discuss working for his famous father, composing and Billy Strayhorn, and to play a piano duet of “C Jam Blues.” Mercer Ellington’s own composition skills shine in “Moon Mist.”
https://www.npr.org/2015/03/13/392842995/mercer-ellington-on-piano-jazz
Here’s the link to make a donation to USC Arcadia Hospital: https://www.uscarcadiahospital.org/foundation/make-a-donation/
The recordings heard on this podcast episode:
Portrait for Pea (CD: “New Mood Indigo” Doctor Jazz FDD 5002)
Recorded 5 January 1966, New York City
Ray Nance – cornet; Johnny Hodges – alto sax; Paul Gonsalves – tenor sax; Harry Carney -baritone sax; Chick Corea – piano; Aaron Bell – bass; Louis Bellson – drums.
(CD: “Continuum” Fantasy FCD-24765-2)
Blue Serge
Recorded 16-17 July 1974, New York City
Mercer Ellington – conductor; Cootie Williams, James “Buddy” Bolden, Harold “Money” Johnson, Barrie Lee Hall, Jr. – trumpet; Art Baron, Vince Prudente, Chuck Connors – trombone; Harold Minerve, James Spaulding, Maurice Simon, Harold Ashby, Harry Carney – reeds; Lloyd Mayers – piano; Larry Ridley – bass; Quentin “Rocky” White – drums.
Harlem Air Shaft
Recorded 6-7 January 1975, Chicago
Mercer Ellington – conductor; Cootie Williams, James “Buddy” Bolden, Harold “Money” Johnson, Barrie Lee Hall, Jr., Calvin Ladner – trumpet; Art Baron, Vince Prudente, Chuck Connors – trombone; Harold Minerve, Maurice Simon, Harold Ashby, Ricky Ford, Anatole Gerasimov, Joe Temperley – reeds; Lloyd Mayers – piano; Edward Ellington II – guitar; J. J. Wiggins – bass; Freddie Waits – drums.
The Duke’s Suite / Danske Onje (Danish Eyes) – (CD: “Music is my Mistress” Music Masters CIJD 60185K)
Recorded
East St. Louis Toodle-oo (LP: “Hot and Bothered (A Re-creation)” Doctor Jazz FW40029)
Recorded 22 June 1984, Los Angeles
Caravan / Osceola / Calyph (CD: “Only God Can Make a Tree” Music Masters 01612-65117-2)
Moon Mist (CD: “Unheard Bird” Arbor Records ARCD 19489)
Recorded 2023, New York City
Ken Peplowski – clarinet, tenor saxophone; Terell Stafford – trumpet, Glenn Zaleski – piano; Peter Washington – bass; Willie Jones III – drums; Kow Xiu Yi, Tia Allen – violin; Kayla Williams – viola; Robin Park – cello; Elizabeth Steiner – harp; Keve Wilson – oboe.
— Our closing music—-
It’s Something You Ought To Know (Paul Gonsalves – “Ellingtonia Moods and Blues,” RCA Victor / RCA63562)
Recorded 29 February 1960, New York City
Paul Gonsalves- tenor sax; Johnny Hodges – alto sax; Ray Nance – cornet; Mitchell “Booty” Wood – trombone; Jimmy Jones – piano; Al Hall – bass; Oliver Jackson – drums.