One of the biggest composers of the 20th century, pianist and leader Duke Ellington recorded in February 1962, and released a year after the album Money Jungle which, among other things, stood as a comment on the irreconcilable relation between artistry and art trading. The album consisting of 11 compositions was recorded in a single session of a trio with bassist Charles Mingus and drummer Max Roach.
American female drummer and last year’s Grammy Award winner Terri Lyne Carrington released this month for Concord Records the album Money Jungle: Provocative in Blue, marking the 50th anniversary of Ellington’s cult album. The CD features nine Duke Ellington compositions from the album Money Jungle, two Carrington originals No Boxes and Cut Off, and one composition by pianist Gerald Clayton, including segments of speeches by Martin Luther King Jr., Bill Clinton, Barack Obama and others.
Terry Lyne wanted to keep the concept of a trio on this album with pianist Gerald Clayton and bassist Christian McBride, but she also had guest musicians, trumpeter Clark Terry, trombonist Robin Eubanks, brass players Tia Fuller i Antonio Hart, guitarist Nir Felder, percussionist Arthur Stabile, and vocalists Shea Rose and Lizz Wright. Herbie Hancock appears as a narrator representing the voice of Duke Ellington.
Find out more about this album in the video: