Description
This is Vol.3 of a long series of releases of the complete Treasury Broadcasts from the mid-forties. Contracted by the U.S. Treasury Dept. in 1945, DUKE ELLINGTON & HIS ORCHESTRA performed a series of public service radio broadcaststo arouse patriotism and sell war bonds to help the U.S. military defeat the Japanese and end World War II. Besides performing music which was already well-known - his own as well as others - Ellington uses the programmes presented here to test, check and refine new material, such as the tunes Blutopia and Carnegie Blues. It's very lucky that these precious, well-recorded radio broadcasts have survived as they represent an important, yet elusive, period in the evolution of jazz -namely, the mid-40's. This 2CD set features several star performers - JOHNNY HODGES, REX STEWART, AL SEARS, JOYA SHERILL and AL HIBBLER, among others, and especially trombonist LAWRENCE BROWN.