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A Benefit For The Duke Ellington Society

Over The Edge 54461-2

This is a all star cast tribute to the great Duke Elligton, featuring many of today's stars including George Duke, Take 6, Dianne Reeves, Al Jarreau, Jon Hendricks, Jonathan Butler, Nancy Wilson and Grady Tate plus many others too numerous to mention. It will no doubt have great appel to the hip show-biz followers of the vocal art. Even though a big band is used, with good solos, the highlights of the recording are given over to the star vocalists in a supposed re-invention of what Duke might be playing today. This I find hard to take, the music on this CD may be well conceived and expertly performed, but to a hardened listener like myself, I find it not representative of the great man. Ellington'e compositions and performances had a consistent depth and swing throughout his sixty odd years at the head of Jazz affairs.

Undoubtedly a CD produced to a high standard which may well please listeners on the periphery of the Jazz scene.

by Al Merritt

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