Sunset and the Mocking Bird; Lightening Bugs and Frogs; Le Sucrier Velours; Northern Lights; The Single Petal of a Rose; Apes and Peacocks. Recorded April 4, 1959
There is no suite, no grouping of jazz tunes that comes close to this. & it's silly to try & cover any of them. As far as I'm concerned, this is the best Ellington ever recorded.
When the Queen, in 1958, asked the Duke if he'd been to England before,, he replied that his first visit was in 1933, long before she was born. Having actually been born in 1926, Duke was backhand complementing her.
My name is Michael McDonagh. I had the honor of serving as the President of San Francisco's Duke Ellington Society for many years , and we did, if memory serves, several programs of Duke's magnificent suites. We even had live guests ranging from bassist and bandleader Marcus Shelby, to singer Antoine Garth, to composer Gunther Schuller, and the wonderful chanteuse Lorna K. I was even interviewed on KCSM radio - about our work.
The Queen met the Duke at the Town Hall in Leeds at the Leeds Centenary music festival in 1958. His band was playing at the Odeon cinema on the Headrow that evening. The Queen didn't attend the concert although apparently the Duke of Edinburgh did. Ellington composed the Queens Suite especially for the Queen after the meeting. We were lucky enough to put on a performance of the Suite at the JazzLeeds Festival in 2019.
![Duke Ellington piano solo [Rarest of the rare recordings!]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/RsGm0Y49-TA/mqdefault.jpg)
Who would give this a thumbs down? 'm afraid if you give this beautiful masterpiece a thumbs down it is merely a reflection of your lack of taste.
The first song I thought of with the passing of the Queen. It has been an honour to witness her reign
There is no suite, no grouping of jazz tunes that comes close to this. & it's silly to try & cover any of them. As far as I'm concerned, this is the best Ellington ever recorded.
...On further reflection, this is the poetic music of genius!
When the Queen, in 1958, asked the Duke if he'd been to England before,, he replied that his first visit was in 1933, long before she was born. Having actually been born in 1926, Duke was backhand complementing her.
Beautiful...as the Queen herself .
The sound of Johnny Hodges. Great recording.
My name is Michael McDonagh. I had the honor of serving as the President of San Francisco's Duke Ellington Society for many years , and we did, if memory serves, several programs of Duke's magnificent suites. We even had live guests ranging from bassist and bandleader Marcus Shelby, to singer Antoine Garth, to composer Gunther Schuller, and the wonderful chanteuse Lorna K. I was even interviewed on KCSM radio - about our work.
Who's coming from Flea's post
Ellington really was the Beethoven of Jazz. His compositions are so utterly subtle. He sure was inspired by the Queen’s persona !
This is my favorite suite by Duke.
the definition of elegance … the queen the composer the music
The Queen met the Duke at the Town Hall in Leeds at the Leeds Centenary music festival in 1958. His band was playing at the Odeon cinema on the Headrow that evening. The Queen didn't attend the concert although apparently the Duke of Edinburgh did. Ellington composed the Queens Suite especially for the Queen after the meeting. We were lucky enough to put on a performance of the Suite at the JazzLeeds Festival in 2019.
This one is going out for the queen rest in peace queen Elizabeth 2.
Beautiful elegant music. Like the Queen. Like Ellington,
This and 'The Girls Suite' are my favourites.
What a treat to hear what the one and only DUKE Ellington chose as a gift to the QUEEN. This makes the heart melt!!! Thanks for posting.
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Duke & Sweet Pea, nothing else can be said!