Duke Ellington, the visionary bandleader, pianist, and composer who helped define the sound of the Harlem Renaissance, is captured in his prime on At The Cotton Club. Sourced from nine atmospheric radio transmissions during his orchestra’s famed Cotton Club residency and an April 29, 1938 broadcast from Stockholm’s Konserthuset, this collection immerses listeners in the elegance, swing, and orchestral color that made Ellington a cornerstone of American music. The set showcases the band’s tightly arranged yet improvisationally alive performances, transporting you to a world of jungle rhythms, sophisticated harmonies, and the electric nightlife that made Harlem a global cultural beacon. A brief 1933 newsreel clip adds vivid historical context, offering a rare glimpse of Lenox Avenue, the club’s stage, and the Cotton Club’s dancers—nostalgia, yes, but also a testament to Ellington’s enduring innovation and international influence.

Album Information:

Artist: Duke Ellington and His Orchestra
Format: Audio CD
Release Type: Compilation
Genre: Jazz, Big Band, Swing
Label: Storyville Records

Release Details:

Edition: Standard Edition
Country: Worldwide

Package Contents:

Media: 2x Audio CD
Bonus: 1933 newsreel clip of Harlem’s Lenox Avenue and a glimpse inside the Cotton Club
Packaging: Jewel case

Artist Background:

Edward “Duke” Ellington (1899–1974) stands among the most influential figures in 20th‑century music. Leading his orchestra for decades, he elevated jazz to an art form through sophisticated composition, lush orchestration, and distinct tonal palettes crafted for his star sidemen. Emerging from Washington, D.C. and reaching international renown from his Harlem base, Ellington transformed big band jazz with works that blended blues, gospel, popular song, and modern harmony. His Cotton Club residencies in the late 1920s and early 1930s broadcast his sound nationwide, shaping American popular culture and cementing his legacy as a composer-bandleader whose repertoire and innovations continue to inspire musicians across genres.

Menu

Information

Get in touch