Ellington Reflections Steve Bowie

  Happy Birthday, Duke!  Duke Ellington was born on this date 125 years ago. Today also marks the 7th anniversary for podcast/blog Ellington Reflections.  I’m currently editing my Cootie Williams biography and securing the necessary image permissions, so it may … Continue reading →

Mercer Ellington, son of Duke Ellington, is an underrated contributor to the world of Ellingtonia. Continue reading →

“Jimmy Jones is a close member of our musical family. Outside of our original version, he and Toby Hardwick were the first to do “Come Sunday.” I have had many different associations with him, the most notable being when we … Continue reading →

Duke Ellington said of trumpeter Harold "Shorty" Baker that "his way of playing a melody was absolutely personal, and he had no bad notes at all." Continue reading →

“Bill “Bojangles” Robinson and Wellman Braud were like Jelly [Roll Morton]; they’d talk as long as anyone would listen and hung around outside the Band Box. After Braud got written up in Ripley’s “Believe It or Not” column, he was … Continue reading →

The recordings heard on this podcast episode: (CD: “Duke Ellington, The Centennial Edition” RCA Victor ‎– 09026-63386-2) I Can’t Give You Anything But Love (Recorded 30 October 1928 and 10 November 1928, NYC) Arthur Whetsel, Freddie Jenkins – trumpet; Joe Nanton … Continue reading →