One of the most important musicians of the 20th century, Duke Ellington re-shaped the modern American songbook and influenced every subsequent artist in his wake.

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Discography

• Masterpieces by Ellington (1951) A

• Ellington Uptown (1952) A

• The Duke Plays Ellington (1953) A

• Ellington ’55 (1955) B+
  • Ellington lovers should seek out the master’s older renditions of these big band standards. Ellington ’35 has so much more depth.

• Ellington at Newport (1956) A

• Such Sweet Thunder (1957) A-

• Black, Brown and Beige (1958) A-

• Jazz Party (1959) A-