1929-30

Personnel: Duke Ellington (piano); Cootie Williams (vocals, trumpet); Sonny Greer (vocals, drums); Fred Guy (banjo); Johnny Hodges (clarinet, soprano saxophone, alto saxophone); Harry Carney (clarinet, alto saxophone, baritone saxophone); Barney Bigard (clarinet, tenor saxophone); Freddie Jenkins, Arthur Whetsol (trumpet); Joe "Tricky Sam" Nanton (trombone). Liner Note Author: Anatol Schenker. Recording information: New York, NY (03/01/1929-07/29/1929). Director: Duke Ellington. Arranger: Duke Ellington. Duke Ellington's 1929 band found Cootie Williams gradually developing into a major trumpet soloist alongside the contrasting styles of Arthur Whetsol and Freddy Jenkins. Also in the band during the era was the remarkable trombonist Joe Tricky Sam Nanton, altoist Johnny Hodges, clarinetist Barney Bigard, and baritonist Harry Carney. Among the many underrated gems on this CD are "The Dicty Glide," "Stevedore Stomp," "Freeze and Melt," "Cotton Club Stomp," "Saturday Night Junction," and the intriguing two-part "A Nite at the Cotton Club," which is narrated by Irving Mills.