February 01, 2025
Braggin' in Brass: A Duke Ellington Playlist
curated by the SFJAZZ Staff
For this month's playlist, the SFJAZZ staff picks some of their favorite Duke Ellington songs. Featuring a combination of timeless classics and deep cuts, this playlist swings like crazy and is sure to please Ellington devotees and new fans alike. Can’t get enough of the Duke? You can catch Jason Moran with the Marcus Shelby New Orchestra’s “Music of Duke Ellington” concert at the SFJAZZ Center February 6-9, 2025. The Friday, February 7 concert will also air on Fridays Live.

Duke Ellington
"BRAGGIN' IN BRASS"
Arguably the most technically challenging big band chart for brass players ever written. This song has become a right of passage for big bands around the world!
"DIMINUENDO IN BLUE" (LIVE AT NEWPORT)
The famous concert and moment in 1956 that signaled to the jazz world that the big band tradition was alive and well (despite the continued movement toward smaller groups). Outside of Paul Gonsalves' 27-chorus blues solo that's been transcribed by scores of saxophonists ever since, this song sparked a feverish dance party that's become jazz lore and a testament to the power of the big band.
"LATIN AMERICAN SUNSHINE"
After Billy Strayhorn passed in 1967, Ellington continued composing ambitious suites inspired by different music traditions around the world. This is a standout from his 1972 Latin American Suite, which brought in elements of Latin jazz and Afro-Carribean music.
"SUCH SWEET THUNDER"
The title track of the 1957 album inspired by Shakespeare. While Duke's name is on the album, this session really shines a light on Billy Strayhorn's sophisticated composing and arranging. "Such Sweet Thunder" the song is just the surface, you should definitely listen to the full album!
"MOOD INDIGO"
Ellington's orchestra has no shortage of soloists and jazz stars, but some flew under the radar and are still underappreciated. For a long time, "Mood Indigo" was a showcase for trumpeter Shorty Baker, who played in Ellington's band on and off from 1942 to 1962. FYI, Baker also married Mary Lou Williams!
"BLUE PEPPER"
After the Ellington Orchestra returned from a US State Department tour in the mid-1960's (jazz used as foreign diplomacy is a whole other conversation), Ellington and Strayhorn wrote a suite of music inspired by the sights, sounds and people they encountered. "Blue Pepper" is a good place to start. Then check out "Isfahan."
"BATTLE ROYAL"
The famous session with the Duke Ellington Orchestra and Count Base Big Band that gives a sonic Venn diagram of these two big band institutions. Apparently, as the session lagged due to re-writes and copywriting all the different parts for 40+ musicians, the band members kept sneaking out and visiting the bar next door.
"DIDJERIDOO"
Listen to that drum break! This song is so groovy and propulsive. The drums give it such a contemporary feel. The song is also a great example of Duke’s playful experimentalism as you can hear him trying to approximate the sound of the titular instrument via the brass section.
"FLEURETTE AFRICAINE"
Subtly haunting and timeless, this song stands out as one of the many highlights from the classic 1962 LP Money Jungle, which features Duke Ellington in a trio with Charles Mingus on bass and Max Roach on drums.
"STEVIE"
A wonderful combination here. Ellington's sophisticated compositions and Coltrane's intense improvisational skills. The synergy between Ellington's piano and Coltrane's saxophone creates a unique and powerful musical dialogue, resulting in timeless and jazz music.
"LA PLUS BELLE AFRICAINE"
A gem from 1967’s LP Soul Call. Combining musical sophistication with an infectious bounce, this tune was recorded live at the Juan-les-Pins/Antibes Jazz Festival on the French Riviera. The festive mood of the concert can be felt throughout the tune.