Duke Ellington: Live At The Tivoli Gardens

Call him the Duke of Denmark, as this is the second superb Ellington performance recorded in that country to be released in 2003 alone. It's also an appropriate follow-up to The Intimate Duke Ellington; whereas the latter showcases Ellington as a solo pianist and in small group settings, Live at the Tivoli Gardens features the Ellington Orchestra in all its splendor. It includes two approximately 70-minute sets recorded a few days apart in 1971, when the Duke was 72.

Duke Ellington and his Orchestra - Live

In this concert from his great European tour Duke gives a big band concert to be remembered in Brussel’s Marni Theatre. Featuring star soloists Money Johnson on trumpet, Paul Gonsalves on saxophone, and Joe Benjamin on bass, and even a surprise appearance from singer Anita Moore, this recording is another gem in the Duke’s discography and a must-have for fans.