Shows / Ellington Reflections
Ellington Reflections
A podcast series exploring the legacy of the great Duke Ellington, his music, and his musicians.
Episodes
- Ellington Reflections
The Girl’s Suite (Podcast #26-006)
https://ellingtonreflections.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/the-girls-suite.mp3 “The Girl’s Suite” is a 1961 tribute to singers Lena Horne…
- Ellington Reflections
Portrait of Barrie Lee Hall, Jr. (Podcast #26-005)
https://ellingtonreflections.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/portrait-of-barrie-lee-hall-jr.mp3 Barrie Lee Hall, Jr. (1949-2011) Rock Skippin’ at the Blue…
- Ellington Reflections
Portrait of Sidney Bechet (Podcast #26-004)
“Sidney Bechet was one of the truly great originals. I shall never forget the first time I heard him play, at the Howard Theatre in Washington around…
- Ellington Reflections
Portrait of Kenny Burrell (Podcast #26-003)
https://ellingtonreflections.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/portrait-of-kenny-burrell.mp3 The recordings heard on this podcast episode: Johnny Hodges / Wild…
- Ellington Reflections
The original Far East Suite (Podcast #26-002)
“After thirteen different shots and vaccinations, we leave New York on September 6, 1963, for one of the most unusual and adventurous trips we have ever…
- Ellington Reflections
Beyond the Usual Suspects & Happy Birthday, Duke! (Podcast #26-001)
https://ellingtonreflections.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/podcast-26-001.mp3 Most Duke Ellington tribute concerts and recordings rely on just a handful of…
- Ellington Reflections
Five Books (Podcast #25-004)
https://ellingtonreflections.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/five-books.mp3 The Drum is a Wild Woman – Patricia G. Lespinasse A Drum is a Woman/A Drum is…
- Ellington Reflections
Happy Birthday, Duke! (Podcast #25-003)
https://ellingtonreflections.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/happy-birthday-episode.mp3 “At least one day out of the year all musicians should just put…
- Ellington Reflections
The Magazine Suite (Podcast #25-002)
https://ellingtonreflections.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/the-magazine-suite.mp3 “The Magazine Suite is an entirely new three-part composition. The…
- Ellington Reflections
The Latin American Suite (Podcast #25-001)
https://ellingtonreflections.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/latin-american-suite_podcast_25_001.mp3 “The Latin-American Suite was unusual in that it was…
- Ellington Reflections
Portrait of Mercer Ellington, Part III (Podcast #24-005)
https://ellingtonreflections.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/portrait-of-mercer-ellington_part-iii.mp3 In 1994, Mercer appeared on an episode of Marian…
- Ellington Reflections
Portrait of Mercer Ellington, Part II (Podcast #24-004)
“[Duke Ellington] has set forth a restlessness, a music that has made for progress over three decades. Devoting myself to the things he has come to…
- Ellington Reflections
Happy Birthday, Duke! (Podcast #24-003)
https://ellingtonreflections.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/happy-birthday-podcast.mp3 Happy Birthday, Duke! Duke Ellington was born on this date 125 years…
- Ellington Reflections
Portrait of Mercer Ellington, Part I (Podcast #24-002)
“At Columbia University’s New College, where I was studying engineering, my instructors constantly inquired whether I had written any songs. I was…
- Ellington Reflections
Portrait of Jimmy Jones (Podcast #24-001)
“Jimmy Jones is a close member of our musical family. Outside of our original version, he and Toby Hardwick were the first to do “Come…
- Ellington Reflections
Portrait of Harold “Shorty” Baker (Podcast #23-011)
“Harold “Shorty” Baker came into the band in 1942 to give us our first trumpet section of four. He joined Ray Nance, Rex Stewart, and Wallace…
- Ellington Reflections
Portrait of Wellman Braud (Podcast #23-010)
“Bill “Bojangles” Robinson and Wellman Braud were like Jelly [Roll Morton]; they’d talk as long as anyone would listen and hung around…
- Ellington Reflections
Side by Side and Back to Back (Podcast #23-009)
The recordings heard on this podcast episode: (CD: “Duke Ellington, The Centennial Edition” RCA Victor – 09026-63386-2) I Can’t Give You Anything But…
- Ellington Reflections
Portrait of Arthur Whetsel (Podcast #23-008)
https://ellingtonreflections.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/portrait-of-arthur-whetsel.mp3 “As a trumpet player, [Arthur Whetsel] had a tonal personality…
- Ellington Reflections
Portrait of Norris Turney (Podcast #23-007)
https://ellingtonreflections.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/portrait-of-norris-turney.mp3 Norris Turney (Photo by Jan Persson) The recordings heard on this…
- Ellington Reflections
Togo Brava Suite (Podcast #23-006)
In 1967, the west African nation of Togo released a postage stamp of Duke Ellington. Ellington reciprocated by writing the four movement Togo Brava Suite in…
- Ellington Reflections
Suite Thursday (Podcast #23-005)
“Then in 1960 we came up with Suite Thursday for the Monterey Festival that year…we tried to parallel John Steinbeck’s story, “Sweet…
- Ellington Reflections
Parisian Birthday Celebration (Podcast #23-004)
https://ellingtonreflections.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/parisian-celebration-23_004.mp3 “Over on the Left Bank in Paris, Billy Strayhorn and Aaron…
- Ellington Reflections
Ellington 2023 – Duke and the Lights (Podcast #23-003)
https://ellingtonreflections.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/city-of-lights.mp3 ELLINGTON MEETING 2023 Since 1981, Ellington experts from around the world have…
- Ellington Reflections
One More Once… (Podcast #23-002)
https://ellingtonreflections.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/one-more-once.mp3 The recordings heard on this podcast episode: Drop Me Off in Harlem (CD…
- Ellington Reflections
Reminiscing In Tempo (Podcast #23-001)
https://ellingtonreflections.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/reminiscing-in-tempo.mp3 “Every page of that particular manuscript [Reminiscing in Tempo] was…
- Ellington Reflections
Cootie plays Duke, Part II (Podcast #22-013)
https://ellingtonreflections.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/cootie-plays-duke-part-ii.mp3 The recordings heard on this podcast episode: Concerto for Cootie…
- Ellington Reflections
Cootie plays Duke, Part I (Podcast #22-012)
https://ellingtonreflections.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/cootie-plays-duke-part-i.mp3 The recordings heard on this podcast episode: Echoes of Harlem (CD…
- Ellington Reflections
The New York Choral Society performs Duke Ellington’s Sacred Concerts (Podcast #22-011)
https://ellingtonreflections.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/sacred-concert-podcast-2022.mp3 “The concert was performed for the first time on September…
- Ellington Reflections
Portrait of Louie Bellson (Podcast #22-010)
https://ellingtonreflections.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/portrait-of-louie-bellson.mp3 “Louis Bellson is the epitome of what Paul Gonsalves means when…
- Ellington Reflections
Ken Peplowski Fundraiser
Ken is a great musician and he could use your help! He’s battling cancer and can’t work. The statement below is from the organizer of the drive…
- Ellington Reflections
The Perfume Suite (Podcast #22-009)
ERRATA — In the podcast, I said the later version of “The Perfume Suite” was recorded in 1961. Only “Strange Feeling” was…
- Ellington Reflections
The Deep South Suite (Podcast #22-008)
https://ellingtonreflections.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/the-deep-south-suite.mp3 “In 1946, we might remind ourselves, the American South was a…
- Ellington Reflections
Portrait of Russell Procope, Part II (Podcast #22-007)
https://ellingtonreflections.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/portrait-of-russell-procope-pt-ii.mp3 “I enjoyed every day I was a member of the Ellington band…
- Ellington Reflections
Portrait of Russell Procope, Part I (Podcast #22-006)
https://ellingtonreflections.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/portrait-of-russell-procope-part-ome.mp3 “Russell Procope…. a man of dignity and…
Ellington ReflectionsCreole Rhapsody (Podcast #22-005)
https://ellingtonreflections.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/creole-rhapsody_podcast-mp3.mp3 “So I went out and wrote Creole Rhapsody, and I did so much…
- Ellington Reflections
Duke Ellington Society of Sweden 2022 Conference
The Duke Ellington Society of Sweden’s 2022 Conference will take place on April 25, 26, 28 and 29 on Zoom. The language will be English as last year. And it is…
- Ellington Reflections
Beyond the Usual Suspects, Part II (Podcast #22-004)
https://ellingtonreflections.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/beyond-the-usual-suspects-part-ii.mp3 Most Duke Ellington tribute concerts and recordings rely on…
- Ellington Reflections
Beyond the Usual Suspects, Part I (Podcast #22-003)
https://ellingtonreflections.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/beyond-the-usual-suspects-part-i.mp3 Most Duke Ellington tribute concerts and recordings rely on…
- Ellington Reflections
Portrait of Charlie Barnet, Part II (Podcast #22-002)
https://ellingtonreflections.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/portrait-of-charlie-barnet-part-ii.mp3 “Meanwhile, I was looking around for musicians who…
- Ellington Reflections
Portrait of Charlie Barnet, Part I (Podcast #22-001)
https://ellingtonreflections.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/portrait-of-charlie-barnet-part-i.mp3 “Charlie Barnet has always been a wonderful friend to…
- Ellington Reflections
Ellingtonians play Ellington (Podcast #21-007)
https://ellingtonreflections.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/ellingtonians-play-ellington.mp3 “Spanning over five decades (1923-1974), the Duke Ellington…
- Ellington Reflections
Portrait of Jimmy Hamilton, Part III (Podcast #21-006)
https://ellingtonreflections.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/portrait-of-jimmy-hamilton-part-iii.mp3 “It took considerable courage for Mr. Hamilton, whose…
- Ellington Reflections
Portrait of Jimmy Hamilton, Part II (Podcast #21-005)
https://ellingtonreflections.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/jimmy-hamilton-part-ii.mp3 The recordings heard on this podcast episode: What Am I Here…
- Ellington Reflections
Portrait of Jimmy Hamilton, Part I (Podcast #21-004)
https://ellingtonreflections.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/jimmy-hamilton-part-i.mp3 “[Jimmy Hamilton] usually manages anything musical that he sets his mind…
- Ellington Reflections
And the Trumpets Sing! (Podcast #21-003)
https://ellingtonreflections.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/trumpets-sing.mp3 Ray Nance, photo by Lee Tanner The recordings heard on this podcast episode: Dear…
- Ellington Reflections
My Favorite (Ellington) Things, according to the iPod (Podcast #21-002)
https://ellingtonreflections.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/my-favorite-ellington-things.mp3 “iPod – 10,000 songs in your pocket” –…
- Ellington Reflections
Portrait of Tyree Glenn (Podcast #21-001)
https://ellingtonreflections.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/portrait-of-tyree-glenn.mp3 “Tyree, to me, is a very beautiful trombone player. He plays real…
- Ellington Reflections
Portrait of Harold Ashby (Podcast #20-007)
The recordings heard on this podcast episode: Jeep’s Blues/Out of Nowhere (CD: Recorded 1961 Ray Nance – trumpet; Harold Ashby, Paul Gonsalves…
- Ellington Reflections
Portrait of Joya Sherrill (Podcast #20-006)
https://ellingtonreflections.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/portrait-of-joya-sherrill.mp3 “[Joya] did such a good job on “I’m Beginning to…
- Ellington Reflections
Portrait of Juan Tizol (Podcast #20-005)
https://ellingtonreflections.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/juan-tizol.mp3 “Juan Tizol was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and suitably named after the…
- Ellington Reflections
New (and temporary) schedule for Ellington Reflections
Due to time limitations and a manuscript deadline, Ellington Reflections will be monthly until the end of the year. The next episode will be out on May 30th…
- Ellington Reflections
Portrait of Sam Woodyard (Podcast #20-004)
https://ellingtonreflections.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/portrait-of-sam-woodyard.mp3 “Sometimes we would write something that seemed or was expected…
- Ellington Reflections
Variations on a Theme Song (Podcast #20-003)
https://ellingtonreflections.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/variations-on-a-theme-song.mp3 “”Our theme is [Billy Strayhorn’s] “Take the…
- Ellington Reflections
Portrait of Rex Stewart, Part II (Podcast #20-002)
https://ellingtonreflections.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/rex-stewart-part-ii.mp3 “In the Ellington band, Stewart quickly blossomed into a major jazz…
- Ellington Reflections
Portrait of Rex Stewart, Part I (Podcast #20-001)
https://ellingtonreflections.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/portrait-of-rex-stewart-part-i.mp3 “…[H]e was an exciting player who made a big…
- Ellington Reflections
Beyond the “Usual Suspects” once more (Podcast #19-021)
https://ellingtonreflections.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/covers.mp3 Most Duke Ellington tribute concerts and recordings rely on just a handful of his…
- Ellington Reflections
Duke Ellington’s Wordless Melodies for the Soprano (Podcast #19-020)
https://ellingtonreflections.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/soprano-podcast.mp3 Dr. Lisa M. Clark’s thesis, Synchrony of the Sublime: A Performer…
- Ellington Reflections
Beyond the “Usual Suspects” [Again] (Podcast #19-019)
https://ellingtonreflections.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/usual-suspects-19_019.mp3 Most Duke Ellington tribute concerts and recordings rely on just a…
- Ellington Reflections
“Rabbit’s Blues” – A Conversation with Johnny Hodges biographer Con Chapman (Podcast #19-018)
https://ellingtonreflections.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/rabbitc292s-blues-podcast.mp3 “You ever drink any cool, clean spring water? You can add things to…