Jazz Library

Alyn Shipton is joined by pianist and author Brian Priestley to pick out the essential Duke Ellington small group discs, ranging from duos with bassist Jimmy Blanton to septets and octets featuring such noted instrumentalists as Johnny Hodges, Lawrence Brown and Barney Bigard. Although his big band was the central focus of Duke Ellington's musical life, he led a variety of small groups drawn from his orchestra throughout his career. He also encouraged his star soloists to record under their own names.