Ellington at Newport

It was long, it was live, and half the "tracks" were just introductions, but its Duke Ellington, and jazz kinda gets a pass for the live music thing. Beautiful music.

Gorgeous. At one point while listening, I felt like I was inside a noir movie. A master no wonder they called him "Duke."

Amazing stuff. The recording was great too. It felt like I was there on the front row.

"Ellington at Newport" is a live jazz album by American jazz pianist, composer and orchestra leader Duke Ellington and his band of his concert at the 1956 Newport Jazz Festival. Jazz and big band are the Wiki-listed genres. Some critics have called it the greatest performance of his career and stood for everything jazz had been and could be. Ellington was the band leader and played piano. His band included on trumpet (Cat Anderson, Willie Cook, Ray Nance, Clark Terry, Herbie Jones), on Trombone (Quentin Jackson, John Sanders, Brittany Woodman), Johnny Hodges (alto sax), Russell Procope ( alto sax, clarinet), Paul Gonsalves (tenor sax), Harry Carey(baritone sax), Jimmy Hamilton (clarinet), Jimmy Woode (double bass), Al Lucas (bass), Jimmy Grisdom (vocals) and Sam Woodyard (drums). In 2022, the album was entered into the US National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress for its artistic significance. A baritone sax solo by Harry Carey opens "Festival Junction." Ellington's piano and the band kicks in. The alto sax continues the lead supplemented by other horns. The layering of horns begins and there's that big band sound. A quick tempo more in the bepop jazz area. "Blues to Be There" slows things down. Piano and sultry horns. Stark. The trumpet is in the lead. The song goes big band at the end. The standout track on the album is "Diminuendo and Crescendo in Blue." Snappy jazzy drum tick and a piano. Horns blast and glorious horn layering. Handclaps start, the pace picks up and Paul Gonsalves comes in with a tenor sax. Gonsalves continues to solo for eight minutes and the crowd erupts. The song ends with an explosion of horns. The songs are split between a couple of bluesy songs with the remainder a big band sound with horn solos and layering of horns. And the layering of horns is the best I've heard. The beat changes between and sometimes within songs going from a quicker bebop tempo to slow and bluesy. The drums and piano tend to control the pace with the horns following. It's unclear (from what I've read) if the audience noise was overdubbed in or not but, regardless, they are very enthusiastic. This was a joy to listen to and, if you are any bit of a jazz or big band fan, this is a must listen.

Ellington at Newport captures exhilarating performances, masterful improvisation, and infectious audience energy, transforming live jazz into something vibrant, historic, and endlessly replayable, proving why this concert remains one of the genre’s defining recordings decades after its original release for listeners.

I'm not a musician. At most, I'm an amateur music historian. Listening to this gave me a small window into what Newport in the 1950s could have been like. It's interesting to imagine what the music, race, and cultural exchanges between Duke Ellington's audience and the Newport crowd could have been like. Listen to the crowd getting upset when Father O'Connor suggests the band might be done. The crowd wants more. I think the 1950s were more complicated than people expect.

(Accidentally?) listened to the two hour version of this live performance. 0 regrets. I understand now and have infinite fomo of not being in the rowdy ass crowd from this show. "Duke calms the crowd down" come tf on

Incredible jazz, even my four year old could tell

Loved it!

Love the Duke

What jazz is!

Transported to a jazz bar

I’m blown away by the energy from this live show from before I was born. This rivals kind of blue

Pretty easy 5 stars here

Big band jazz at its best. 5 stars.

Duke has always been my favorite big-band leader and composer. It strikes the right balance: fun without being sweet, intellectual without being overly cerebral. He really is a towering figure of American art. And there are some jaw-dropping instrumental performances here.

So it turns out there are 2 completely different version of this! Just listening to the original 1956 version that's mostly a studio recording. Regardless, this is a ripping session, pretty much everything you could want from late-era swing(?) big band. Will definitely be investigating the full live performance. Great to get a jazz record thrown up, as this whole 1001 thing seems overly rock-heavy.

sublime. dated, but who cares. knowing how this shaped everything to come after it makes it all the more enchanting.

This is like watching someone blow glass. The awe of witnessing the absolute precision in how they rotate and cut the piece, blowing just enough to inflate the glass while gently moving it in a circle. Its colors are bright, artistry purposeful, and is both hardy and delicate. It’s a skill mastered from thousands of hours of refining. Pure beauty!

A genre loses cultural relevance when people stop dancing and start sitting. There is not sitting for this one.

A rightly famous jazz LP that caused a stir at the time and still sounds pretty amazing today. Probably the only people who can write about jazz with any authority are jazz musicians, so I’m not going to get into any musical detail here but will simply say that the playing is joyous and brilliantly performed, and the audience are enthusiastically loud and obviously enjoying themselves immensely. The whole vibe is utterly infectious and it’s impossible not to get swept away with it all. Wonderful stuff. 10/10

This was fun! 5

Leaving everything in their performance, this shows why live music reigns supreme. I’m not into jazz but this was an incredible performance.

Holy cow!! Great album! A lot going on here. I'm not a jazz fan per se but this recording grabbed me by the shoulders and shook the snot out of me! I was moved to tears on “Diminuendo and Crescendo in Blue”! It blew the top off Newport! It just keep building and building until the crowd was so into it I could barely hear the band but I didn't care! It was chaotic and wonderful! I listened to the 60th anniversary version which was remastered from the original tapes. It provided unbelievable separation and staging of the instruments and a great ambiance of the crowd. Glad I got to hear this one!

One of the best live performances I've ever heard. Particularly blown away by the clarinet and saxophone work on the album. Fantastic big band jazz album and a must-listen for any music lover

Raised on Ellington!

I need more of this in my life. Fabulous album.

No one can lead a band like the Duke. Well actually Count Basie could. Anyway, amazing big band performance.

I generally prefer later jazz but Duke Ellington is one of the true greats and this live album carries the energy through

Loved this

9.2

01/03/2026 *1. festival junction - like the piano at the start... love the bass and the horns. a lot more upbeat than the other jazz i've listened to on this list... reaaallly loving it. very danceable. really love the sound of whatever instrument is at around 5:30.... love the sharp, squealing trumpet near the end! making my earphones make weird clicking noises though... *2. blues to be there - love the bass again.... piano is lovely. horns are beautiful together <3 love hearing the audience in the back. just got quieter..... saxaphone is greeeaaatttt!!!!! love how quiet it got for the solo. love how loud it gets at the end!!!! reaaally loving this one :) *3. newport up - faster!! this is crazy!! the loud drums at about 2:40 are insane!!! ending is phenomenal!! lovelovelove it!!! <3 <3 <3 *4. jeep's blues - loving the start. love the piano in the back. loved it! really great ending. *5. diminuendo in blue - all the instruments have been phenomenal through this whole album! horns just kicked in wowowow!!! saxaphone solo is absolutely insane!!!! love how you can hear the audience's reaction! trumpet at the end is craaazy!!! <3 listened to the track listing from the 1956 lp because i thought two hours might be a bit much for me right now and am kindof regretting that decision because i absolutely loved the songs that i listened to! amazing that an album over 50 years old still has soooo much energy! am going to listen to the other songs now!!!

Duke Ellington is exceptional at creating breath taking music

Excellent. Sounds huge, lush, and tight. The band is locked in and fired up. The saxophone solos in particular are astonishing. I opted for the original, light-on-speaking tracklist, so the version of the album I listened to was all-killer no-filler. I can hear why this performance and album single-handedly revived his career.

These cats are swingin

Amazing experience. Peak American music and culture. One of the Jazz Gods greetings us with it's magic.

One of the seminal jazz recordings you must listen to. The Duke shows to the crowd attending this concert what classic Jazz at his peak sounded like, a true masterpiece.

Love this album! Duke Ellington is one of my top 5 Jazz artist. EASY 10/10

Amazing album, make sure to listen to the complete version released in the 90s that restores a lot of the original concert.

No tengo ni que escucharlo y ya se que es 10000/10

excelente! muy buen jazz.

A good one to throw on in the background while reading I love this one. I would love to have this on vinyl.

it was long, but definitely worth it. will definitely relisten and once again i understand that i should listen to more jazz

Listening to this album felt like watching a movie. One of the best if not THE best live album I've ever listened to. The early songs debut the technical skills of the band, the announcer introducing and celebrating the members of the band, the swell of the crowd getting more drunk and rowdy as the album progresses. It felt like I was in the room smelling the cigar smoke, feeling the floor rumble as the people danced. Every song was an incredible and unique showcase of the bands skills. Even the imperfect audio where we can occasionally hear the echo of the announcer's voice bouncing back just shows how loud and impressive this event must have been. This is probably the greatest jazz album I've ever listened to and that's not a compliment I give lightly. 10/10. Perfect live jazz album.

unbelievable. probably will be a gateway to jazz for me.

so much fun!

Really fantastic live recording that just captures the energy of the band perfectly. The final few minutes of 'Diminuendo and Crescendo in Blue' are absolutely electric - cannot even imagine what that must have been like to experience in that moment.

Geil der duke is halt subba!

good album but the kind of music you would always rather be hearing live

On this album, Ellington demonstrates why he is as revered as he is within jazz circles worldwide. He showcase is not only his immense talent as a performer, being a remarkable, jazz, pianist, and among the best ever come out of the genre, mixing classic bebop styles and experimenting more into the Davis-esque ‘modal jazz’ style but also by showing his otherworldly talent as a songwriter writing many of the jazz standards modern musicians praise today for the use of harmony and unique chord progressions. Overall Ellington in Newport provides a deep insight into the mind of the creative genius who created these tracks and is a testament to his everlasting legacy and imprint upon the world of jazz. He is and always will be a favourite with me.

This is magnificent, a very lively album so full of joy and great musicians performing such great music. Though the speeches break a bit the feeling of a whole and distract, they are part of a live performance, and it, in some way, adds that feeling of being there, connecting with the music at another level, in another way. It's much more organic. So, it's great. I've loved every single second of it.

Wonderful fun jazz album

Enjoyable. Needed break from the Foo Fighters.

Love Duke

9.7/10

I am a simple man. I see Duke Ellington, I give 5 stars. If I was to nit pick, I could do without the banter tracks. I'm sure there is an argument to be made that they help with immersion but either tack them on to the song that's being introduced or get rid of them altogether. This is a small critique that in no way takes away from how wonderful these songs are and how fantastic the performances are on this album.

Excellent jazz with an audience giving it so much charm

So foremost, I said it before, and I will say it again - how come the most prolific composer of 20th century has only 1 album on this list, and it's a live one??? Despite all of that, this is absolutely a legendary performance, can't get any better than this, swinging goodness, the best big band ever in my opinion of course along with Count Basie's. So this is easy 5 stars for these reasons for me, real highlights for me are "Festival Junction" and "Jeep's Blues". I love Duke's vocal ad libs in the background.

Masterful. An incredible performance from one of the greats.

A seminal live jazz recording that definitely needs to be on this list.

Sublime

Wonderful. A joy from start to finish.

Gosh am I a sucker for Jazz. This is really good music. My biggest issue was finding a version of this album with good enough audio quality, but YouTube came to the rescue here.

America’s greatest composer performs a career retrospective with some of the finest musicians of all time. Absolutely essential listening

5 Stars, no notes. Jazz album for the ages.

Great Live Album!! That last song is jumpin n jivin all over the place!! Loved listening to this LP.

Incredible live jazz album. He's the Duke. Terrific playing and a great backing band. There's not much else to say. The live audience adds to the record, with the real-time hooting and hollering feeling like you're with the audience, experiencing it for the first time.

I am listening to this on the longest, slowest bus ride up the Las Vegas strip up to Old Town Vegas, and wow. I love the corny narrator and the shade at Brooklyn. I love feeling connected to Rhode Island. I love how the trumpet sounds like a kazoo. I love everything happening on this insane bus with this on in my ears and the Vegas lights passing by. I love Jazz. I love being alive and experiencing all there is to see in this world. Fuck it, I love Coco. Viva Las Vegas!

A total masterpiece. Each don't is so bright and full of life, the musicians are feeling it, the crowd is feeling it. The tracklisting is perfectly paced, moving through smooth soft blues to electrifting jazz that feels like you've been hit by lightning, all while never tiring you out. The introductions and crowd noise is the perfect reminder that jazz is best experience live and it does it's best job of trying to put you there in the room. I cannot say enough good things about this album, an all time must listen.

Duke has this name for a reason. A jazz masterpiece.

Jazz is always a good idea

nossa que coisa boa... esse é gold esses timbres de metais são muito bons

Same year as Ray Charles played this festival. One of the first years where real music managed to find some oxygen in this racists ass country

Tis good shit. Could listen to that all day.

banger tbh

This is more a reflection of historical appreciation and curiosity than pure enjoyment of the sound (besides the Gonsalves sax solo), but I do love this album and the return from obscurity of the Duke.

Classic. Talent. Spirit.

Album I've already listened to many times, and love. Ellington is incredible, and songs like Jeep's Blues are crazy good.

I'm not a fan of jazz music but god damn this album is amazing.

So cosy and lovely

Genuinely just so great. Excellence in its purest form.

10/10

So cool. Beautifully composed and beautifully improvised. Swings so hard for so many players

Immediately felt classy listening to this, even while wearing scrubby clothing and working.

Fantastic. You can geel the chaos of that place, the passion, the sheer musicianship. It’s almost a disservice to label it as “Duke Ellington” as there are so many talents present on this album. Exceptional production as well.

Another really solid big band jazz performance. Loved it. I also must have gotten a much shorter version than everyone else. Which is fine, I'm counting it anyway.

Iconic duke

Damn 8.8

Just brilliant.

i love jazz

A beautiful live performance. No notes best album so far

Classico jazz

I wouldn't consider myself a jazz connoisseur by any means. I enjoy a late night drive listening to 88.1 KJAZZ from time to time, but I am no expert. However, this album was a joy to listen to. It's palatable. You don't need to be a music snob to "get" it. At times, it's bombastic and swingin'. Others, it's smooth and groovin'. If I wasn't driving during my listen, I'd be on my feet shaking a leg. Jazz may be fading from the mainstream, but there's a reason Duke, his music, and his legacy have stood the rest of time. Looking forward to getting the full experience with the expanded version in the future.

Nunca me explico cómo fueron capaces de grabar discos en directo con el equipo técnico que había en los 50 o primeros 60. Y por algún motivo extraño suenan más reales que los grabados con más medios. La gente suena enloquecida en la pieza final. Es digno de reflexión que un grupo instrumental sea capaz de suscitar esa reacción y ahora por menos de un genital a la vista, la gente ni levanta la mirada. Mi absoluta rendición, señor Ellington.

A transport back in time. Wonderful listen with some nasty trumpet work. Absolutely stunning!

If you want to get somebody you know into jazz, show them this album. Just pure brilliance. Paul Gonsalves' solo on Diminuendo and Crescendo in Blue is maybe the greatest solo in history

Other than the introductions between songs, I love this album. Smooth Jazz? Hell yeah I want more smooth Jazz after listening to this album.

This is great music performed by excellent artists, the concert vibe is cool as it is a glimpse into the experience of a 50's concert. Favorite track: there's a lot of good stuff here, but probably "Festival Junction"

This is the only Duke album on this list, giving him the same amount of must hear albums as Britney Spears, Limp Bizkit, and the B-52's and less than Morrissey, Massive Attack, M.I.A., Def Leopard, Beck, Slipknot, Primal Screams - more evidence that Dimery is a moron. This album has some of the highest of highs in jazz, but is tough to sit through all the BS commotion of the crowd and the MC. If this album were recorded in a studio and distilled down to roughly an hour, is might be perfect. 9.2/10 149/1001

Brilliant, bright, progressive, provocative. This is so damn good. I've been drawn to Thelonious Monk and Miles Davis in this project for their out there and psych fusion jazz styles, but this is just so clean bright. In the movie American Hustle, there is a great scene with Jeep's Blues where Christian Bale says "who starts a song like that???" And it caught me off guard today, I didn't know that was the name of the song, but as soon as it started I thought "who starts a song like that???" Incredible.

Nice

Very very good

Might be my favourite jazz album ever…

tolles album welches ich tagelang hören könnte!

Grossartiger Jazz welcher einem mitnimmt. Und die Aufnahme setzt einem mitten in die Band, so geht live.

Amazing. Just Amazing. Great music. Great Melodies. Great performance. Six out of 5 stars.

Old school cool. Great stuff.

I read in wiki how this concert revived Duke Ellington's career, having a huge impact in the later stage of his life. But how does one connect to an album of a performance from nearly 75 years ago? I think of Big Band music as belonging to my parents' generation--born in the 30's, growing up in the 40's. Yet this sound influenced so many future genres, I can't help but appreciate the talent and skill. My first drum teacher was a Big Band drummer and I was awed by Louie Bellson when I saw him play when I was in high school. Many of my favorite rock drummers learned to play jazz swing style and adapted those skills to rock n roll. Listening to this orchestra, with some of the best talent, you can't help but feel the sound, visualize the moment. Ellington's signature Take the A Train is polished from 20 years of performance experience. I love the swish of the hi-hat in Blues to Be There, the upbeat solos in Newport Up, the bending of notes and moodiness of the saxes in Sophisticated Lady, I Got It Bad and Jeep's Blues. The energy and creativeness of Diminuendo in Blue caps it all off. I listened to both versions of this album, the first which was modified with recordings in studio, and the newer one that was a cleaned up version of the live tapes. I suggest both are worth a listen to get why a 75-year old concert still has impact.

In 2022, this album was selected by the Library of Congress for preservation in the United States National Recording Registry as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant". There's a reason for that. It's not just the historical significance, it's just THAT. DAMN. GOOD. The only thing I wished was that there was more (and fortunately, there is! Check out the complete concert, also on Spotify. There were one or two points where I thought they may be a bit over the top; but maybe the mikes were not picking it all up. Regardless, some great jazz here. A definite one to listen to again.

Absolutely incredible performances, even though most of it was a studio performance with crowd noises dubbed in. But I truly dig this kind of swing. 9.8 ★★★★½

JAZZ!! FINALLY!! HOOOOOOOLY CHRIST MAN! What a fucking tour de force of the genre, and of music as a whole. It really adds a lot to the listening experience to know what was going on in Duke's mind as the concert rolled on -- missing band members for the opening set, a complex 3-part suite that completely flopped, and then ONE extraordinary solo that got the crowd (and the world) to recognize his place in the industry once again. I kind of thought this would be a long listen, but it wasn't at all -- just like attending a really fantastic jazz concert. (I should mention that I didn't listen to the strange additional studio recordings...seemed kind of unnecessary.) Duke Ellington was a master composer, the band was full of master players, and damn it -- I love jazz. Five out of five. Probably the best album I've listened to so far. Side note: most people (rightfully) bring a lot of attention to Paul Gonsalves' stratospheric solo, but honestly all of the improv across the entire album is exceptional. Fave songs: The whole concert. Everything. Literally can't pick.

Sounds great, love the breaks with the introductions and the audience noise.

Great!

Technically brilliant Jazz album, but live audience and cuts to introductions can get distracting and break the immersion. -mitona The perfect soundtrack to kick off the day, what a treat! An unexpected favorite. -SC

## Ellington at Newport: The Night Jazz Reignited - An In-Depth Review Duke Ellington's **"Ellington at Newport" (1956)** is far more than a live album; it's a seismic event in jazz history, capturing a career-defining performance that resurrected the maestro's waning fortunes and delivered one of the most electrifying documents of big band energy ever committed to tape. Recorded on July 7, 1956, at the Newport Jazz Festival, this album showcases the Ellington orchestra at its most vital, proving the enduring power of swing in the face of bebop's dominance. ### 📜 1. Lyricism: Vocals as Textural Accents (Not the Focus) While primarily instrumental, the album features strategic vocal performances enhancing its narrative texture: * **Ray Nance's Charm:** His playful, conversational delivery on "Tulip or Turnip" ("Call me a flower if you wanna / But I'm the one what needs ya") adds humorous character . * **Jimmy Grissom's Blues Lament:** On "Day In, Day Out," Grissom embodies classic blues yearning, his phrasing and tone blending seamlessly with the band's sophisticated backdrop, providing emotional counterpoint to the instrumentals . * **Instrumental Vocality:** The true "lyricism" lies in the horns. Johnny Hodges' alto sax on "Jeep's Blues" or Paul Gonsalves' tenor speak volumes with bends, smears, and cries, conveying joy, melancholy, and unrestrained passion far beyond words . ### 🎷 2. Music & Performance: The Engine of Resurrection This is where the album achieves legendary status. The Ellington orchestra was in a slump pre-Newport, facing dwindling audiences. The Newport set, fueled by a charged atmosphere, became a defiant masterpiece. * **The Gonsalves Solo Heard 'Round the World:** The undisputed climax is Paul Gonsalves' **27-chorus tenor saxophone solo** bridging "Diminuendo in Blue" and "Crescendo in Blue." Abandoning written charts, Gonsalves unleashed an improvisation of astonishing stamina, melodic invention, and building intensity, directly feeding off drummer Sam Woodyard, Jo Jones' off-stage newspaper tapping, and the band/audience's escalating frenzy . This solo, pure spontaneous combustion, ignited the crowd and revitalized Ellington's career. * **Individual Brilliance:** Beyond Gonsalves: * **Johnny Hodges:** His achingly beautiful, sensual alto on "Jeep's Blues" ("silky slippery" ) and "I Got It Bad" is a masterclass in expressive phrasing and tonal control. * **The Trumpet Section:** Cat Anderson's soaring high notes, Clark Terry's melodic flair, and Ray Nance's versatility (trumpet, violin, vocals) provide constant fireworks . * **Sam Woodyard:** His propulsive, driving swing ("Skin Deep" features a masterful drum solo ) is the bedrock, especially crucial during Gonsalves' marathon. * **The Newport Suite:** Written specifically for the festival ("Festival Junction," "Blues to Be There," "Newport Up"), it showcases Ellington/Strayhorn's compositional genius – intricate yet loose, allowing dynamic solo space across the orchestra while maintaining sophisticated ensemble interplay . * **Energy & Interaction:** You *feel* the live wire. Duke's piano comping and calls of encouragement ("Come on, Paul!"), the band's responsive energy, and the audience's transformation from polite appreciation to near-riotous euphoria are palpable, especially on the complete recordings . *Table: Key Musical Highlights* | **Track** | **Musical Significance** | **Featured Soloists/Features** | |-----------|--------------------------|--------------------------------| | **Diminuendo and Crescendo in Blue** | Historic 27-chorus sax solo, concert climax | Paul Gonsalves (tenor sax), Duke Ellington (piano cues), audience reaction | | **Jeep's Blues** | Alto sax showcase, blues mastery | Johnny Hodges (alto sax), tight band interplay | | **Newport Jazz Festival Suite** | Original composition for the event | Jimmy Hamilton (clarinet), Willie Cook (trumpet), Paul Gonsalves (tenor), varied solos | | **Skin Deep** | Drum feature, crowd-pleasing finale | Sam Woodyard (drums), explosive band sections | | **Take the 'A' Train** | Strayhorn classic, dynamic arrangement | Duke Ellington (piano intro), full band power | ### 🎚️ 3. Production: A Complex Legacy of Deception and Revelation The production history is infamous and crucial to understanding the album's impact: * **The Original 1956 LP (Flawed Triumph):** Due to perceived technical issues (balance, Hodges' flubs on "I Got It Bad"), Columbia, with Ellington's agreement, re-recorded significant portions ("Newport Suite," "I Got It Bad," "Jeep's Blues") in the studio days later. Canned applause, reverb, and fake announcements were added to mimic Newport . This hybrid version was the one that initially wowed the world. * **The 1999 "Complete" Revelation:** Producer Phil Schaap synchronized Columbia's tapes with recently discovered Voice of America recordings. This yielded the *true* live concert in vastly improved fidelity (though technically "spatially separated mono"), including previously omitted gems like the "Star Spangled Banner," "Black and Tan Fantasy," "Tea for Two," and the unvarnished live takes . Hearing Gonsalves' solo *with* the authentic crowd noise and band shouts is transformative . * **Sound Quality:** Even the "Complete" edition reflects 1956 live recording limitations. Balance isn't perfect (Gonsalves was partly off-mic originally ), and fidelity isn't modern. However, the energy and presence are undeniable. Criticisms of poor digital remastering on some platforms exist . ### 🎭 4. Themes: Revival, Resilience, and Collective Joy The album transcends mere performance, embodying powerful themes: * **Career Resurrection:** Newport 1956 is synonymous with Ellington's dramatic comeback. The band, playing smaller gigs beforehand, delivered a performance so potent it catapulted them back to global prominence. Ellington later quipped he was "born at Newport in 1956" . * **The Power of the Live Moment:** It captures the irreplaceable magic of live performance – the risk, the interaction (band-to-band, band-to-audience), the shared energy building to euphoria, particularly during Gonsalves' solo . * **Endurance of the Big Band:** In the era of bebop and small groups, Ellington proved the large orchestra remained a vital, thrilling, and sophisticated vehicle for jazz expression and improvisation . * **Artistic Resilience:** Defying decline, Ellington and his uniquely voiced soloists demonstrated unwavering mastery and passion for their craft . ### 📣 5. Influence: A Lasting Jazz Monument The album's impact is undeniable: * **Revitalized Ellington:** Launched the most successful period of Ellington's later career, leading to renewed contracts, tours, and ambitious works . * **Live Album Benchmark:** Set a new standard for the excitement and historical importance a live jazz recording could capture. Its success (even the doctored version) proved the commercial and artistic viability of live albums . * **Gonsalves' Legacy:** While typecasting him somewhat, the solo became *the* defining moment of his career and a legendary example of extended, audience-rousing improvisation, arguably influencing the development of long-form solos in jazz (even cited as a possible precursor to Coltrane's explorations ). * **Cultural Artifact:** Recognized for its cultural, historical, and aesthetic significance, it was inducted into the **National Recording Registry** in 2022 . It remains a cornerstone of jazz history courses and collections. ### ⚖️ 6. Pros and Cons * **Pros:** * **Historic, Electrifying Performances:** Features some of the most iconic moments in jazz history (Gonsalves' solo, Hodges' blues) played with incredible energy and skill . * **Band Chemistry:** Showcases the unique voices within the Ellington orchestra and their unparalleled cohesion . * **Unmatched Live Atmosphere:** Captures the transformative power of a legendary live event, especially on the "Complete" edition . * **Historical Significance:** Documented a pivotal career revival and remains a landmark live album . * **Repertoire Strength:** Excellent selection spanning blues, suites, standards, and fiery extended workouts . * **Cons:** * **Original LP's Deception:** The studio overdubs and fake applause significantly misrepresented the actual event . *(Mitigated by the "Complete" edition)* * **Length & Pacing (Complete):** At over 2 hours including announcements, it can feel sprawling for some listeners; the original LP was more focused but incomplete . * **Sound Fidelity:** Despite improvements, the 1956 recording technology has limitations. Balance isn't perfect, and some distortion or murkiness is present . * **Vocal Tracks:** While characterful, "Tulip or Turnip" and "Day In, Day Out" aren't the album's strongest musical moments for some listeners. ### 🎯 Final Verdict **"Ellington at Newport" (specifically the "Complete" edition) is an indispensable masterpiece of jazz.** While the original LP's production deception is a historical blemish, the *music* captured that night – particularly the unvarnished live power now available – is simply transcendent. It showcases Duke Ellington not as a relic, but as a vital, innovative leader directing one of history's greatest orchestras at a white-hot peak moment. The sheer energy, historical weight, and musical brilliance (epitomized by Gonsalves' epochal solo) make its flaws, primarily related to era-specific recording tech, easy to overlook. It's not just a great jazz album; it's a thrilling piece of cultural history that continues to resonate powerfully. **Essential listening.**

Outstanding set late in Duke's career. He's still got that swing, that pizazz, that jazz. Everything that made him the GOAT of this era is capture on this two disc masterclass. Live a Newport is an important standard for all Duke heads and an iconic festival for connoisseurs. Though watered down by 2025 with comedy, pop acts and rock bands. Newport used to be Jazz summer camp, and here we have camp counselor Duke and his All Star troop taking us along for 8 weeks worth of hiking, canoeing, campfires, watersides and zip lining. If you catch the metaphor, its a long dissemination of his entire career compiled into one set. Ya dig?

Might make this my new personality

😎

😍

An American treasure

Phenomenal! The Duke was my entry point into jazz as a teenager and I still have a great deal of love and respect for his music. Willingly (and happily) listened to the 2+ hour complete version of this album.

10/10 bc it made me appreciate jazz as a live performance. I think it’s the most unique way to perform music, because there is a lot of interaction between the public, the musician and the music.

I wish it didn’t have all of the banter but it lets you feel like what it was to be there.

Exceptional. And anyone reading this who hasn't made it to a Newport Jazz Festival, if this is your thing, definitely go.

Duke Ellington, Ladys and Gentleman, Duke Ellington! Man kriegt schon geil den Vibe vom Konzert mit

Escuchando “Ellington at Newport” me he sentido como si estuviera dentro de una película cenando en un restaurante de lujo, disfrutando de un deleite musical en directo. Ha sido un viaje musical de vientos y percusiones que me han hecho conectar por primera vez con el jazz a la perfección. El hecho de escuchar el feedback del público aplaudiendo y elogiando la música de Duke Ellinton en directo, aporta al álbum un realismo y una riqueza muy destacables en la hora y seis minutos de música jazz que nos presenta este álbum. Sin lugar a dudas, el punto fuerte del álbum no puede ser otro que “Diminuendo and Crescendo in Blue” una delicia de instrumental jazz que a pesar de su duración de más de 13 minutos, me ha mantenido enganchado y disfrutando la pista todos y cada uno de ellos. Esta es una de las grabaciones en una en las que el público es un elemento clave, se convierte en un músico más, aporta con sus aplausos y reacciones un punto extra a la canción y a los músicos. Se percibe como la reacción de los asistentes les anima a seguir tocando con más ganas si cabe. También merece ser mencionada la importancia de los percusionistas y bateristas que enriquecen cada pista. Sostienen el ritmo de toda la actuación en directo y mantienen al público vivo y sintiendo el arte de la música en directo “Skin Deep” es la prueba más contundente de ello, que cierra el álbum en directo por todo lo alto. “Ellington at Newport” es un álbum majestuoso de jazz perfecto para escuchar en una cena íntima, en un momento de desconexión y simplemente disfrutar de esta joya del género.

Love this.

Jazz! Music for the soul. Love it

Wow. Not sure what I expected but this is great.

C,mon, man, it's Duke Ellington, what do you think I'm gonna say?

👍

Magnificent.

This is one of those examples where music a genre one typically doesn't endorse transcends. The only big band record I know and love. Such great energy and musicianship. Captivating and thrilling. Superb.

Not really my kind of music, but he is a fantastic musician - a milestone

5/5. I listened to the complete sessions of this album and it was definitely the correct choice. Up to the last main concert track, not the repeated songs later. The crowd gets more riled up as the songs go on and it culminates in an almost riot. This must have been a wild atmosphere because the jazz is good but there might have been something else going on in the audience. Either way, this was fantastic and a testament to the jazz genre. Excellent musicianship and energy from the band, these arrangements are complex yet accessible. Duke is a genius and this is a must listen for anyone who has the time. Best Song: Diminuendo and Crescendo In Blue, Black And Tan Fantasy, Blues To Be There

such a long album, but such an awesome concert. again, i’m so weak for live recordings, but the music and the air just feels soooo alive and i absolutely love duke!!

Man I wish I could have been there! This rules!

Decided to listen to the original album - which is 38 mins - and found this on Spotify. Really impressive performance and captures the raw energy of the big band.

Wonderful. Seems like a product of time gone by (which it is). I loved the transition from Skin Deep into the crowd almost rioting - talk about something that would never happen in 2025. Blues to Be There is my favorite track.

This song reminds me of something you would hear in like a nice Italian resturant. I rate this song a 10/10.

I rate Jeeps Blues a 5 star because its like jazz and I really like jazz and the saxophone is good all the instruments are good ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐. I rate Take The "A" Train a 5 star because its like jazz and I really like jazz and the saxophone is good all the instruments are good⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐. I rate Saffiicated Ladie a 5 star because its like jazz and I really like jazz and the saxophone is good all the instruments are good⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐.

It's Duke Ellington. Ya gotta respect it.

This album almost makes up for the stunning lack of important Jazz on this list. 5/5

I'm generally much more a fan of more stripped down jazz than big band stuff, but this album is just undeniably phenomenal. This is one I absolutely need to get.

Si alguien hiciera la lista super oficial con todos los discos de la historia y éste quedara en primer lugar, no tendría peros. Así de bueno es.

"Diminuendo in Blue" is amazing. The solo is unbelievable.

97/1089 - Amazing soloists. Cool harmonies. Crowd was loving it. A fun live album to listen to.

This is so my speed

What an igniting performance! If you don't like this, you don't like jazz.

Stunning “live” performance from Duke Ellington and his band. Textbook definition of what a jazz recording should be.

Fantastic album, absolutely love jazz if I don’t listen to it all the time. Duke Ellington is really really good, his group is so tight. It’s a bit long at two hours and 11 minutes, with a lot of those filler talking in between, but I think it was important for me to listen to this.

I found this to be insanely good. The craft and musicianship at display here is incredible and the energy that seeps out of this thing is insane. This is the kind of surprise that I do this challenge for.

good

Great

Live album. Jazz. 10/10

Hit a pr while listening. Goated jazz.

Festival Junction- fun, high-spirited introduction Blues to Be There- the trumpet player with the mute is the hero- don't love the end, which sounds like something from a 50s sitcom Newport Up- clarinet and trumpet solos to open Jeep's Blues Diminuendo and Crescendo in Blue- feels like a goshdarned juke joint, which is strange, because that wasn't Ellington's thing- he led the classics, most talented Orchestra in the world

Genuinely, this album has to be one reason headphones, an easy chair, and gin was created. Never listened to his particular album before but it will be staying on regular rotation now. Stunningly talented musicianship with the leadership of Duke.

I was super productive while listening to this album. I appreciated the speaking in between the songs, made me feel like I was there!

Not super into jazz, but this had my ass locked in the whole commute home. And loved that little easter egg of young Quincy Jones being mentioned

Always great to hear old school jazz when it was the best music. Instrumental which Ibusually dont lime but thos genere is absolutely beautiful. This album has no bad songs all are great

Brilliant

Soul

That album is a masterpiece!

- Sensational. Vibrant. Enduring. Possibly the best swing jazz I have ever heard. I had to turn this off while I was working because I found myself wanting to dance too much. - Some of the out-of-control solos at the end of "Festival Junction" and "Diminuendo In Blue" light you on fire. - First album on the list where I listened to the original LP and found myself actually wanting to listen to the extended album.

Words can’t express the joy of listening to this historical recording. The “Duke” is simply incredible and had assembled an amazing group of musicians.

I think it would be completly unfair to give extra points just because I've read the whole story behind the album. For a jazz album it's 4/5 but there is this historical importance and you feel the story unfold while you are listening to the album. Jazz is indeed a devil music and it pushed me to give immoral 5/5.

Top notch. The concert showcases all the members of the band. Big boisterous arrangements, classy piano playing, tons of horns and solos. Superb.

Big band jazz når den är som bäst. Kanske ska börja titulera mig jazz man 🤭

Man what would it have been like to be there for this live. Love the sax vibrato, almost sounds like a different instrument

This was lots of fun for sure.

Video games introduced me to jazz and swing music, which led to me learning about the history of jazz and even though i hadn't heard the album i was well aware of the festival. It is part of music history and jazz history. in a time where jazz were shifting allot. A well earned spot on the list It is a bit long but it's enjoyable and pretty easy listened.

This album is so cool it doesn't need air conditioning in the summer. 5/5

Super cool. One of the best jazz albums I've listened to. 5/5

watch video of the band. hep af.

<3 star spangled banner- 6 black and tan fantasy- 8 or 9 tea for two- 8 or 9 take the a train- 8 or 9 festival junction- 8 or 9 blues to be there- 8 newport up- 9 sophisticated lady- 7 day in day out- 7 diminuendo in blue- 8 or 9 i cant finish this because my attention span is rotted but jazz is one of the best things mankind ever came up with

Eso es musica, además virtuosismo de gran nivel. La pena es que es en vivo y se pierde gran rango de calidad que la grabación en estudio. Pese a esta perdida, Ellington y sus eximios instrumentistas brillan y enceguecen.

Big band perfection. Swings hard and everything is in its right place. Grabbing the spotlight when needed and sitting in the pocket when not. Puts you right in the heat of it

Fantástico álbum, tanto musicalmente como por la historia que hay detrás. En primer lugar, encuentra el punto exacto entre swing y jazz (aka big band jazz), lo que me transporta varios años atrás, cuando escuchaba a Louis Prima, pero con un toque adicional de sofisticación. Por otro lado, me encanta poder escuchar la reacción del público de la época, una auténtica locura. Por este motivo, la versión en CD de 1999, que es más fiel al concierto, me gusta mucho más que la versión de semi-estudio original. Cinco estrellas que confirman que me estoy haciendo mayor.

laitappa päiväkirjaan vähän muistelmaa nyt tähän kohtaan: tänään oli TYÖ_ PÄIVÄ!! saatana.. päivä ennen suurjunailua taas kerran. kolmen viikon lomille... paitsi ei ole loma... pitää saatana vempuilla niin sanotulla vapaa-ajallakin.. sipilä OTTAA JA OTTAA JA OTTAA.. eikä anna perkele takaisin mitään!! btw ovela albumi. varsin juonikas. metkut päällä mennään herttuan kanssa ilmeisesti. tänään oli ihan kiva kuunnella älämölöä, turhaa pälätystä ja lätinää vanhanajan livesoittoa konsanaan. oikein mielekästä pikkuhyppyjä tehdään istuimella pikkuhyppyjä ylösalas.. annetaan kuomalle propseja tästä... props props props ja shillinki kainaloon.. siitä saat päivän eväät. blues to be there

One of the most essential live Jazz recordings of all time. Astounding musicianship.

I listened to the complete 2 hour edition, was a lovely Sunday morning soundtrack

Beautiful jazz, didn’t listen to the extended version but worth a listen. Energetic and groovy, keeps you entertained throughout.

Wow. So good from start to finish

Domó el duque

Outstanding.

This is just beautiful. Big band jazz at its finest. Such amazing players! Unless you just need riffage or you don't have a soul -- you'll enjoy this.

Un album excellent dans l'ensemble qui, si l'on omet la qualité de l'enregistrement, est un délice pour les oreilles. Mention spéciale pour : "Black and Tan Fantasy" qui sort vraiment du lot.

All the horns, piano, bass, drums had amazing sounds. I don't typically relate to jazz but this had big dance energy and reminded me of New Orleans (although it isn't from that region). Surprised how much I enjoyed this.

America’s Mozart. But better. Why can’t we have beautiful music anymore?

Some of the sounds those instruments made! Was a pleasure to listen to. Wish I was there screaming as well.

Make those instruments sing DUKE

He’s the best for a reason. This album totally holds up. Production is still on point.

Ellington and his crew killed it.

Wow. What an experience! I wasn't familiar with the Duke, but this album really showcased why he was such a legend. His group has such raw, potent energy. It's amazing to hear the crowd go wild. 'Black and Tan Fantasy' was my fave here.

Bardzo dobre, ale za dużo gadania

Real quality jazz. Miles Davis didn't get a 5 becuase I heard this before I rated the Davis album. The live aspect was also fun. I like the calming if the riot song. Audiences used to go hard!

9/10

Swanky!

There are so many versions of this album, some (including the original 50s release)are mostly studio recorded. After listening to that I found a complete cd release with the studio and live recordings separated. I liked it so much I will probably listen to it all.

It was exceptional! What a show and Music!

I'm not the biggest jazz fan, but this is good. It does sound a little bit like the background to a cartoon from the 50s though. Blues to Be There sounds like George Gershwin. Before the rise of pop music, every thing sounded like a score to a movie. This is a good listen. The longer this goes the more I like it. This is a great album. I only listened to the original release version but I will definitely check out the 2 hour complete recording now.

Very exciting

OK, so, to begin with — so we're clear — I only listened to the songs that were included on the original 1956 LP, in the order they were presented in. It's not that I didn't have time or want to hear the complete concert. Much like The Who and LIVE AT LEEDS, I wanted to hear the album as it was originally released (as much as I could, anyway),so... Here we are. And for my second "to begin with," let it be known that all of the material here is amazing. This band is just superb and tight as hell. Hearing these concert recordings specifically instead of the studio versions makes it all the better; knowing that they were doing this stuff live in one go in front of a crowd. I mean, hey, that's part of the magic of live albums, innit? And in terms of jazz live albums, goodness, this big band stuff is so much more my shit to listen to than that "Sunday at the Village Vanguard" album by some trio I can't remember the name of. Seriously, them horns and that drummer. It'd make me wanna watch WHIPLASH again if that movie wasn't so much... A **lot**, y'know? But that's off-point; simply put, none of the material here is worth missing. Now, of course, I say all that because... Goodness, "Diminuendo And Crescendo In Blue". I can't imagine anything else being the climax of the album. It's— wow, what a showstopper. Especially knowing that the solo Gonsalves played was apparently so exciting that the entire audience couldn't help but get up and cause a big ruckus dancing to it. That, and that one Gonsalves finished his solo he **collapsed**. On its own, without this extra context, it still would've been an awe-inspiring solo. With that extra info, though... Yeah, goodness, I can hear why this performance is so legendary, even without hearing all of it. Needless to say, I'm a big 5 on this album. Goodness me. I really gotta return and hear this thing in full sooner than later, I swear. A masterwork, pure and simple.

It’s a 5. I don’t need to use any more than 2 paragraphs to explain why. It’s a live jazz album, what did you think it was gonna get? The only way it could’ve been any lower than a 4 would be if someone had just been yelling into a microphone the whole time. I’m not super deep into music theory to tell someone why these are good, or to explain the deep complexities in the performance. I have an ear, and that’s about all I need, I think. My ear is telling me this was really fucking good. This is my first time listening to anything by Duke Ellington. I now want to listen to even more of Duke Ellington – I know the name, I know his place in history, and I know his deep, deep importance to this specific era of big band jazz. There’s a reason Stevie Wonder made Sir Duke. He lived up to the hype and more – this is a spectacular 44 minutes; there's neither a wasted note nor a moment where the energy dies down. Mix that with a red-hot crowd hanging onto every single flourish & some stellar compositions, and you end up at an easy 5.

I don't really understand jazz (how does the song translate to the title-idk) but I like the way it makes my brain feel. I skipped all the intro talking parts, a downside to live albums. But I found the musical skill to be impressive. I would give it 4.5 but rounded it up instead

This is exactly what I think of when I hear Big Band Jazz. This concert had to be WILD. Reading up in the Wiki page, I had already known that Duke supported his band through some time but I had no idea this was the point it really turned around again getting them back on a record contract. And that sax solo in Diminuendo and Crescendo in Blue....Holy shit, Gonsalves played his heart out to collapse. This had to be an epic experience and we are so lucky it was captured here.

Sheer perfection.

Just in awe of Duke's skill and the whole band. Love the whoops and hollers from the band as Duke plays that are caught on this live recording. You can feel how much fun Duke, the band, and the audience are having during this show. And the fuckin talent! Goddamn, Duke is a legend.

Love this to work or chill to

One of the reasons I'm doing this project is to be introduced to all the great albums of jazz. It's not my go-to genre, but when it hits, it hits. I really enjoyed this. I learned a lot reading some of the most liked reviews on here, for instance, Diminuendo In Blue features the infamous 27 chorus saxophone solo by Paul Gonsalves. And also the fact that parts of this were recreated in the studio. I know there are mixed reactions to this, but to me, they created a final project that really showcases the energy and joy felt by the performers and audience both. However they got there is fine by me. I listened to and am rating the original ~44 minutes, but I want to listen to the complete version sometime as well.

Love this album. Ellington really knew how to make use of his musicians' incredible talents. Diminuendo in Blue is just thrilling.

Duke Ellington's piano playing provides an incredible foundation for these insanely talented musicians to solo over. The rhythm section is killing it and everyone sounds so tight. Fantastic album. Man, it would be so fun to be a part of a big band like this. I played in jazz band in high school and this music is just a blast to play.

Only the second album out 200+ to come along and blow me away. I’ve wanted to find a classic jazz album that I chimed with for years … I was not expecting a live Duke Ellington recording to be the one. In parts it like trad jazz you hear in war films. But that is just luring you in. Every so often it just explodes and the crowd go with it and everybody. Loses. Their. SHIT! Like you can tell this is the 50s equivalent of a club absolutely going off. It’s an incredible journey of a listen and I’m very glad to have found it.

Canonical brilliance. Start here, abandon all hope of ongoing financial liquidity.

Fabulous

Duke Ellington is one of most accomplished composers and bandleaders in jazz, who had an incredible career. Ellington at Newport was a "live" album - or, at least partially live. Ellington and his band played at the Newport Jazz Festival in 1956, and it was a historic performance. The show, and the very successful album, revitalized Ellington's career. Time has revealed that some of the tracks were re-recorded after the show, but that doesn't undermine this incredible recording. Ellington composed pieces to allow the talented members of his band to shine - structures designed to create space for soloists. The soloists in his band were all of the very highest caliber, and all of the members of the very large group are capable of incredible work. On a potentially negative note, this record contains a late-concert drum solo, and this may be the first such recording, so it is potentially responsible, at least in part...

What an incredibly tight band, especially the brass section. They seem impossibly locked in and syncopated. Masterful treatment of pianissimo dynamics gives a sense of deliberation to each aspect of the arrangements and choice of soloists. A sense of ‘it wouldn’t be there if the Duke didn’t want it to be there.’ An Absurd level of understanding and execution of jazz piano.

Such a fantastic album and it rekindled Duke Ellington’s career into the 1950’s. Legend.

Nyt on perusteita livelevyn sisällyttämiselle. Yleisö villiintyy, käsittämätön soolo ja ylipäätään upeeta keikkajazzia! 5/5 menee vakiokiertoon (toki ehkä ilman välihuutoja)

Maravilla

beautiful sound and love the different moods. Only in jazz does one find the statement, as I did in wikipedia, something to the tune of "Gonsalves solo saved Ellington's career." Also like the nod to the platinum blonde who got up dancing and instigated everyone off their feet. And it is an amazing amazing solo. Nice to see Ray Nance's name again--I think my parents had an album of his that I may or may not have stolen.

The greatest live album of all time that was actually released in 1999. Here's the skinny: Ellington and his band played Newport and recorded the whole thing live. After bringing the tape back to the studio, however, it was realized that the recordings did not sound very good with mixing issues that could not be resolved. As a result, Ellington and his band went into the studio to rerecord a few of the songs, which was mixed with some live recordings and dubbed audience applause. On release in 1956, Ellington at Newport was more studio album than live album, but it didn't matter because the album was a rousing success. Years later, with music production technology being so much better, the actual live recordings were mixed to perfection. Best part was that it's now the '90s and we have CDs, so Ellington at Newport was re-released with "bonus tracks" as the actual, honest-to-god live performance on two CDs. Two hours may seem like a lot but you're getting the best live performances ever tracked to tape. If you listen to it for anything, you listen for Paul Gonsalves' sax solos and Sam Woodyard's chops on drums. Duke really knew how to pick 'em. The finest musicians of the day coming together to bring the house down at one of the most prestigious jazz festivals. One thing you'll miss on the original release compared to the re-release is the real audience reactions at the time, as Duke's band had sent people into a frenzy. Tracks like "Pandemonium" and "Riot Prevention" illustrate the way his music affected people, which is a testament to both Duke and music itself. Diminuendo and Crescendo In Blue are what really kick this performance into high gear, as it constantly builds steam and allows people to get invested as the song grows. This song alone feels like a masterclass in truly incredible songwriting and composition. It is no wonder why people loved Duke Ellington and his Band so much after this performance. And thank god for that too. Big Band was kind of old hat by the '50s, with the likes of cool jazz, hard bop, and even latin jazz becoming more prominent. Not only that, but it was expensive to maintain big band groups with the number of musicians that were needed. The guys gotta get paid. It was this performance at Newport Jazz Festival (and this album) that would help to revive Duke Ellington's career and allowed him to continue making albums that are universally praised. This was his ticket, and by god Duke was going to ride that train until the very last stop. You can stop at track 9 of the second CD if you want. The rest of the album from there is the original studio'd version from 1956. The real meat is in the actual live recordings. I actually prefer that we leave on a high note with Sam Woodyard's insatiable drum soloing on Skin Deep, something that will always impress me. And just like that, 90 minutes have flown by. I don't think a live album has excited me so much as this one. I feel as though history comes alive and shows how phenomenal music can be. It's never better than this.

Genious

Mr Duke Ellington ist a Master of Jazz. Und dieses Album macht rundum Spaß. Tolle Live Aufnahme. Handgemachte Musik ist so wertvoll, schön, dass es für alle konserviert wurde. Auch für Jazz für Anfänger geeignet.

This album was a really cool experience, and it's history really earned it the rating. I love the energy that these guys inspire from the crowd, especially during that insane sax solo on Diminuendo in Blue (the best song on the album). I really felt like I was transported back to this Jazz club. Very impressive album that I'll check back on for years to come. 5/5.

If you don’t dig jazz, then this is either a great into for you or an annoyance. If you do dig jazz, it doesn’t get much better than this. It swings, it’s got that big band feel, it even bops at times. I can’t imagine the audience at his show sat still; I’m not a dancer and I would probably be up and bouncing. My goodness what a treat and a treasure this is.

No one's doing it like the Duke. I had such a fun time with this, it's a lot more playful than Coltrane or Miles Davis. While I like cool jazz and bebop a lot, it's also fun to just listen to some classic big band stuff and just wince and smile at the atmosphere and just crazy musicianship. The squeaky trumpet blew me away on this - just so so so good. Best Track: Festival Junction Worst Track: Diminuendo In Blue

Truly impeccable, dudless

Such a mammoth album. Lively and energetic jazz, pretty good background music and very impressive to listen to. Not necessarily life-changing for me but I recognise the talent and skill. 4.5

This!

So smooth!

As a tap dancer, I am required by law to do the Shim Sham whenever I hear Take the A Train.

Duke Ellington HAD to be on this list and here he is! I knew a couple of the songs but finally have listened to one of Duke’s albums in its entirety. Terrific!

Wonderful live album. Loved the shorter original version, and the longer play added some fun live elements to it as well. So many great sax solos.

Rowdy fucking crowd geez louise

cracking jazz, my piano version of A Train is nothing like this !

Looks like a long, but iconic album. I'm hearing trumpets do something I've never heard before (black and tan fantasy). The music is outstanding but the live-ness and talking in this adds no value unfortunately. After Cash's prison album nothing holds a candle to that kind of live album. 4.5 rounded up to 5* because the spoken interludes can be so cringy at times. Like, people started to riot? IDK, maybe I don't go to cool enough concerts. The musical artistry is impeccable.

Exceptional. They certainly don't make music like this anymore.

Excellent jazz, might be my favorite Duke album so far

Love some good Ellington when I'm in the mood. Sometimes I'm not, but today I was. This is not something I'd put on in the background while I work or need to focus, but something to study and appreciate the musicianship of. I'd also listen to this when I'm doing something that I can be distracted from, because some of these solos are insane.

Classic, beautiful, masterful.

This was an absolute delight. I think my days would be a lot better if everyone of them started off spinning an excellent jazz record while quietly drinking my morning espresso. Can't recommend enough. 5 stars. I will also try to give the expanded/full version of this a listen at some point as well, but this is great as it is.

This was another amazing live album. I've loved every one that I've heard so far, and I should definitely be listening to more. It is a privilege to be listening to legendary shows being performed so many years ago. As with the Cash shows we heard earlier, they keep a lot of the crowd interaction and in-between moments in, grounding the performance . I am reminded that everyone on these recordings were people just like me living regular human moments. Would people 80 years from now feel the same way listening to a show that I go to and don't think much of? Maybe I should be appreciative of the shows I do get to go to! As for the record itself, it slapped. It was very long so I was in and out in my attention but I liked everything I heard. 9/10

The swinging genius, with a great version of his band - a wonderful, joyful album.

Mi artista/compositor de Jazz favorito de todos los tiempos, un fucking maestro.

Un fkn dios papa 5 estrella, 10/10

haha i represent america

The king of all, Sir Duke.

😎⭐😊⭐😀

Good working music, reminded me of Nan

The energy and talent on this album is insane. The reminders throughout, that it is a live recording only reinforces the level excellence.

This band certainly kicked ass . Just what youre looking for in a live performance :Big sound, lots of energy, virtuoso performances. It is the the pinnacle of the Big Band genre.

Joyous, catchy and just an all-round good time. It's a super long album but it works as either active listening or as something for the background. Knowing that it revived Ellington's career makes the triumph even greater, and is a rare example of a strong live album (despite some controversy regarding how live it actually is) and is perfect for a sunny day 06/06/24

Damn, that is some red hot jazz! I love that the crowd recognized how good it was, even for a festival.

Wow, I loved this album. Super performances. The crowd's energy in Diminuendo.. was awesome.

It's Duke.

Sales were down... rent wasn't getting paid... critics were saying he was a decade into his flop era... Duke Ellington and his Orchestra came on that stage at Newport and did what had to be done. I can't give this anything less than 5 stars. Beautiful and so so fun. Stevie was right, you really can feel it all over!! Note: Normally I try to just listen to the track listing from the original recording, but I'm glad I decided to go with the later remastering/reissue that was twice as long! And then to see that it was produced by Phil Schaap (RIP) :') Always good to see a friend on here :')

Yum, real significant music for once. No lame Britpop, Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, or Nick Cave to be seen. Just glorious big band jazz that the likes of the world had never seen.

Absolutely wonderful.. I’m not a huge jazz fan but this was pretty amazing and you can feel the camaraderie of the musicians with how they play off of each other’s vibe

Wow!!

Another treat.

WOW.This live recording held my attention until the very end. Never a dull moment, from the amazing musicians and the cheering crowd Sir Duke himself puts on a legendary performance. Never been much for jazz but this might change that!

goat of jazz

Raw energy and a polished sound, the Duke is king

I really enjoyed this more than I thought I would. It reminded me of music my grandpa would listen to in the car and, at the time, I didn’t appreciate it but now I think about what it must have been like to listen to it in a cool club when he was younger. There were moments I was cleaning and it gave me a little upbeat soundtrack without being my typical pop/hip hop/R&B or rock. Other times it was slow and created a cool vibe to chill to and I could imagine slow dancing to it with my husband at the same time. Glad this was early in the rotation!

I see a live jazz album from the 50s, I rate 5 stars.

The band sounds so crisp, sharp and sexy. So full of life, big band music at it's best

Enigmatic, and fun

Wow! Awesome.

LOVE IT!!

Amazingly cool live jazz

Absolutely electrifying!!

I usually don't like live albums, but this is an exception because of its age and because the commentaries between songs provide useful information and context. I usually don't like jazz albums because they tend to be long and meandering. This is certainly long, but it manages to avoid feeling meandering.

Fabulous!!

A great performance by a great band.

Very nice.

Listened up to where the original show ended (Mood Indigo, so longer than the first release but not the full 2 hour 1999 release either) and have to say it was incredible. For others unversed in jazz i can fully recommend this as an undeniably perfect intro

A little long, but great!

Diverse, superb playing.

💜

That's Sir Duke to you!

Schöner Jazz. Einzigartig arrangiert. Eben Duke.

Spectacular live jazz album. Ellington and his band at their best. Makes me miss playing in my high school jazz band. I thought it was an odd choice to include the ramblings of the emcee. It really didn’t add much of anything to the show past his introductions at the beginning. But none of that could really hamper the fact that this is a lively, inspired performance of some absolute classic jazz songs. I didn’t listen past the actual live album, as the studio concert wasn’t part of the original live show and feels like cheating on the part of Duke and the band. Excellent stuff. 5 stars, with the caveat that it’s a little confusing unless you read the Wiki article and know what the deal was with this one. Standout tracks: Black and Tan Fantasy, Tea for Two, Take the A Train, Pt. III-Newport Up, Sophisticated Lady, Diminuendo in Blue, Jeep’s Blues, Skin Deep

Wow what a treat someone gave us when successfully recording and mastering this recording from 1956! A chance to hear Duke and his band live from the early days of the Newport jazz festival is priceless. Enjoyed tremendously.

I'm not a fan of live albums, but this one is still solid. It sounds like it would have been a blast to have been there. Duke and the orchestra are absolute monsters! Favorite tracks: - Black and Tan Fantasy - Tea for Two - Take the "A" Train - Festival Suite (Festival Junction, Blues to Be There, Newport Up) - Sophisticated Lady - Day In, Day Out - Diminuendo In Blue - I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good) - Jeep's Blues - Tulip or Turnip - Skin Deep - Mood Indigo So, all of them. All killer, no filler!

Superb!

So good. Love the love intros and sense of the feel of the show. Killer freestyles.

Awesome album!

One of the better jazz albums on this lost, in my opinion. I think this is the entrance level jazz music, that a novice in the genre (me) should have listened to first, before jumping at Thelonius Monk and Miles Davis. Every song on this record is really amazing, everything works together really well, every instrument has its place and time to shine, but it's not overly complicated, or it's not trying to invent something new. Great album, this is where my jazz journey will start (if it will take off at all).

Ohh

Perfect for a relaxing, lazy Sunday vibe.

Listening to this album is like going in a time capsule back to the year 1956. This is an incredible live album with amazing sounds which has transcended time. The talking points, solos, audience participation, the two recording sessions and painstakingly meticulous craftmanship in this album are just phenomenal. You don't have to be enamored with jazz to recognize how great this album is.

Duke Ellington is simply one of the greatest musicians to ever live

Beautiful and elegant.

some of the best musicians in the world at the time all in one band. Big good listening experience 11/10

Didn't get to listen to every track, but I loved hearing this live performance. it's not just good music—it's a piece of history that we get to experience some 60 years later. So cool, and such a joy to listen to.

Banger

PHENOMENAL! DUKE AND HIS ORCHESTRA AT THEIR BEST!

From the concert that revived the career of Duke Ellington. There are a couple different variations of this album. The classic version is actually live mixed with studio, but you can find the "all-live" release also. "Diminuendo and Crescendo in Blue" is the clear standout, but the entire album is a great example of "live" swing.