Duke Ellington: Reflections in D
Recorded: Hollywood, April 13, 1953
Rating: 98/100 (learn more)
A week before he recorded this introspective solo piano piece, Ellington brought his band into the studio to make "Satin Doll" -- which would prove to be the Duke's last hit single. You couldn't imagine a much starker contrast than between the old "Switch-e-Roony" and this classically oriented composition, with its sensibility of European impressionist concert-hall fare. Ellington left behind stacks of scores and LPs, but not enough solo piano work to suit my tastes. This sophisticated yet heartfelt track gives us a glimpse of an intimate Duke that we rarely got to hear on record. To some extent, Ellington anticipates the later work of Bill Evans with his thick and juicy chord voicings here -- no wonder Evans recorded this piece himself 25 years later.
Reviewer: Ted Gioia
Tags: 1950s jazz · reflections in d · solo piano
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