Artist: Duke Ellington
Genre: Big Band
Year: 1959
Grade: A-
When compared to more widely-celebrated LPs like Ellington Uptown and Ellington at Newport, 1959’s Festival Session is another underrated gem in the vast Duke Ellington discography. Yet there comes a point when the term eventually has no meaning — every Ellington album should be properly rated and recognized as nothing short of amazing. Festival Session is no exception.
Featuring standards (“Perdido”) and suites (“Idiom ’59 Pts. 1 – 3”) and one Paul Gonsalves marathon showcase (“Copout Extension”), Festival Session is pretty much a masterpiece through and through.
Festival Session – Duke Ellington
