Jubilee Stomp – Duke Ellington
As my only contribution to the ongoing Platinum Jubilee celebrations, here’s a classic record that’s almost as old as Queen Elizabeth II and is by a prominent member of the Jazz nobility, the Duke of Ellington.
As far as I know this is the first recording of Jubilee Stomp, made in early 1928, though the band made several other versions. At the time this one was made, Duke Ellington’s Orchestra had just started as the house band at the famous Cotton Club in Harlem which soon established the venue as the hottest nightspot in New York. That almost didn’t happen: the residency was initially offered to King Oliver, but he wanted too much money and so it passed to the second choice, Duke Ellington. The rest, as they say, his history.
Anyway, this is a digitally remastered version of the original Okeh recording, which brings out the best of the Ellington Band of that time, especially the great Wellman Braud who introduced the style of walking bass that quickly established itself as a mainstay of every rhythm section.
This version of Ellington’s Orchestra was actually only a ten-piece band, but it was packed with great soloists and you’ll hear superb growl trumpet from James “Bubber” Miley, clarinet from Barney Bigard, and trombone from Joe “Tricky Sam” Nanton, among others. There’s also a nice example of the piano style of the young Duke Ellington himself. Enjoy!
In the Dark 
June 5, 2022 at 8:05 pm
I am in London, as Jubilee weekend coincided with the first Test Match of the season at Lords. This game ended in an England victory against New Zealand, although Ben Stokes the recently appointed England captain and Brendon MCCullum (that’s a deliberate typo), the new England coach, are both Kiwis…
It was a bowler’s match, in which wickets tumbled apart from two significant partnerships, one in the NZ 2nd innings and one in England’s 2nd innings to win the match. The latter featured a ton from Joe Root, who brought up his 10,000th Test run with the same shot as his ton. Had Root been out early today I believe England would have lost.
Unluckiest man of the match was Colin de Grandhomme – even more than Jack Leach. Yesterday was run out first ball, clean bowled Ben Stokes early on with a No Ball, then twisted his leg and had to limp off.
This afternoon I tried out the new Elizabeth Line, long known as the Crossrail project. Impressive, I must say.