Broadcast on 10-Aug-2009

This album was a "concept" record put together by Mr. Ellington over a period of time from February 1959 to December 1959 over several sessions. The basic idea was the blues form, fast, slow, major and minor keys. The sessions were done late at night and through the early morning hours after gigs and concerts. The band was warmed up and ready. Ellington used only one trumpet,Ray Nance and two trombones, Mitchell "Booty" Wood and Matthew Gee and the full saxophone section and full rhythm. We hear the two trombonists Wood on plunger and Gee, open. Nance is in fine form on trumpet and has one violin solo on "C Jam Blues". Johnny Hodges is heard on alto and Paul Gonsalves on tenor and Hamilton on clarinet but Hamilton is also heard on a couple of robust solos on tenor saxophone. The tunes are all quite short and varied and although the album is a loved and respected item in Ellington's catalogue, it was dismissed when it was released as a minor effort. Certainly it cannot compare with "Black, Brown and Beige" or "The Far East Suite" but it is superb Duke. There are mostly tunes by Ellington, who plays piano throughout and a couple by Billy Strayhorn and one by Hamilton and one by Gee. "Blues in Orbit" stands as a fine outing for one of the greatest orchestras of the 20th century......long live The Duke!