Ellington-Strayhorn: World Premiere of Such Sweet Thunder!, 3; Jack Chambers' Analysis (+Bonus Audio)

As with the previous two installments of this series, today I will share with everybody some informative materials. Then, at the bottom, are three more recorded pieces from the world premiere of Such Sweet Thunder, with Duke’s spoken introductions. (For various reasons, I need to restrict the music audio to Paying Subscribers. I work very hard on these essays for you. If you’re not already a Paying Subscriber, please consider becoming one.)

The special item for everybody this time is a fascinating and detailed article about the Suite by Jack Chambers (whom I told you about last time). Among other things, he discusses the origins of some of the pieces, their sequence, the involvement of the producer Irving Townsend, and more. This will give you an idea of the fine Ellington work that will appear in his forthcoming book. The article appeared in a 2005 issue of Coda (a leading jazz magazine published in Canada from 1958 through 2009). To make it even more fun for everyone, I’m sharing with you the complete magazine, with not only Jack’s article but also an interview with alto saxophonist Lanny Morgan, and reviews of albums by Dexter Gordon and many others.

Dr. Chambers is also, in his professional career, a distinguished professor of linguistics, now retired from the University of Toronto, who is well known for his expertise in Canadian English. There are regional differences, just as there are in different areas of the U.S.A.

Here is the magazine:

Ellington By Chambers,coda March April 2005

14MB ∙ PDF file

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You can also find Jack’s article online here (scroll down), in larger, darker print for easy reading.

All the best,
Lewis

P.S. Paying Subscribers, please continue down for the concert recording!