1927-1928

27 was a pivotal year in Duke Ellington's career, as this volume of the comprehensive Jazz Chronological Classics so admirably demonstrates. Having left his native Washington in 1924, Ellington had already written two all-time jazz classics ("East St. Louis Toodle-Oo" and "Black and Tan Fantasy") before his orchestra became the house band at New York's legendary Cotton Club.
With a residency at the biggest and best-known jazz club in the world, Ellington and his peerless orchestra were clearly on top. This 24-track compilation shows why, with jazz and blues standards like the traditional ballad "Stack-o-Lee" alongside several new and often improved versions of the above two songs and early recordings of future standards. Tracks like "Creole Love Call" show how Ellington was constantly refining his compositions to best fit his musicians, who at this time included sax powerhouse Harry Carney and clarinet master Barney Bigard.|