As a leader, Duke Ellington was a tonal impressionist who thought in pictures. Each musician in his band functioned as a tube of paint with distinct properties—a hue, a thickness, a mood. Taken as a whole, his orchestral pieces became large sound canvases with overlapping colorations and textures, awakening the listener's imagination.
Here are three of Ellington's top saxophonists on solo showcases, providing an opportunity to hear their distinct sounds isolated:
Here's Ben Webster on Chelsea Bridge...
Here's Harry Carney on Sophisticated Lady...
And here's Johnny Hodges on I Got It Bad (and That Ain't Good)...
Charlie Parker, worldwide. Tonight, watch a free streaming of Clint Eastwood's Bird (1988) on your computer or phone as well as other tributes to Charlie Parker tomorrow thanks to 92Y, one of New York's foremost cultural institutions. For information and to register for the events anywhere in the world, go here.
