Celebrating the Birthday Anniversary of Duke Ellington: "The Far East Suite" and the belated Birthday Anniversary of Charles Mingus: "Mingus in Bremen 1975"

Tonight TWO (count 'em) TWO Jazz Features. One is the celebration of Duke Ellington's Birthday Anniversary today (April 29) with his epic "Far East Suite". A suite of 9 movements celebrating Duke's tour of the Middle and Far East. Recorded in December of 1966. Most of the key members of the Ellington Orchestra are here and playing at their peak: Johnny Hodges, Paul Gonsalves, Cootie Williams, Jimmy Hamilton and of course Duke himself. This is a great recording and and on the the pinnacles of Ellington's later career. The second Jazz Feature celebrates albeit belatedly the Birthday Anniversary of Charles Mingus. He was born on Earth Day (April 22, 1922). Tonight we will hear what is his arguably "last great quintet" recorded in concert in Bremen, Germany on July 9, 1975. Mingus, who succumbed to ALS was still in fine health with this great band composed of Jack Walrath (trumpet), George Adams (tenor saxophone), Don Pullen (piano) Mingus on bass and Dannie Richmond on drums. This is a well recorded and rather amazing concert and is NOT available on commercial records and discs. There it is, the Jazz Show's TWO great Jazz Features. Don't miss them!