Essence of Ellington (subtitled Live in Milano) is a double live album by bassist and composer William Parker's Orchestra, which was recorded in Italy in 2012 and released on the Centering label. The album features new arrangements of songs written by or associated with Duke Ellington in addition to new songs by Parker.Lopez, R., William Parker discography, accessed June 6, 2014AUM Fidelity catalog , accessed June 6, 2014
Reception
AllMusic awarded the album 4 stars.Allmusic listing, accessed June 6, 2014 The All About Jazz review noted "Parker has delivered a unique take on the Ellington repertoire which pulls off the trick of being both stridently modern and affectionately reverent".Sharpe, J., All About Jazz Review, October 22, 2012 JazzTimes noted "You know that an orchestra organized by William Parker to pay tribute to Duke Ellington is going to result in something sprawling and stupendous, and Essence of Ellington doesn’t disappoint".Robson, B., JazzTimes Review, December 2012
Track listing All compositions by William Parker except as indicated
Disc One: Introduction by William Parker – 3:12 "Portrait of Louisiana" – 20:15 "Essence of Sophisticated Lady / Sophisticated Lady" (Parker / Duke Ellington) – 26:38 "Take the Coltrane" (Ellington) – 21:09 Disc Two: "In a Sentimental Mood" (Ellington) – 7:28 "Take the "A" Train / Ebony Interlude" (Billy Strayhorn / Parker) – 16:35 "Caravan" (Juan Tizol) – 23:16 "The Essence of Ellington" – 14:13
Personnel William Parker – bass Kidd Jordan – tenor saxophone Ras Moshe – tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone Rob Brown, Darius Jones – alto saxophone Sabir Mateen – tenor saxophone, clarinet Dave Sewelson – baritone saxophone Roy Campbell Jr.- trumpet, flugelhorn Matt Lavelle – trumpet Steve Swell, Willie Applewhite – trombone Dave Burrell – piano Hamid Drake – drums Ernie Odoom – vocals
References