At first glance, there’s not a lot in common between two jazz giants, Al Jarreau and Duke Ellington – apart from their love for sonic experiments, that is: the former was usually associated with vocal acrobatics and the latter with instrumental extravaganzas. Yet back in 2016, less then four months before his untimely passing, Jarreau visited Hamburg for an evening called “The Duke Ellington Songbook” which saw the American singer team up with NDR BIGBAND, a small German ensemble who provided a great, imaginative accompaniment to his famous voice. And now, the results of their collaboration are ready to be out.
Ellington
The album titled simply “Ellington” will see the light of day on November 1st and include eleven Duke classics interpreted in the way only the great Jarreau could go for. It’s sensual and sensational – judge for yourselves.
1. Drop Me Off In Harlem
2. I Let A Song Go Out Of My Heart
3. Lush Life
4. Come Sunday
5. In A Mellow Tone
6. Take The ‘A’ Train
7. I’m Beginning To See The Light
8. Sophisticated Lady
9. Ain’t Got Nothing But The Blues
10. I Got It Bad
11. Satin Doll
