Duke Ellington - Piano in the Foreground

Duke Ellington's classic album Piano in the Foreground marks one of the few occasions in which the legendary bandleader devoted a whole album to playing in a trio format. The LP contains a combination of original compositions and jazz standards. Accompanying Duke are bassist Aaron Bell and drummer Sam Woodyard. 

“This rare trio session by Duke Ellington (on which he is joined by bassist Aaron Bell and drummer Sam Woodyard) was the first of several in the early ‘60s that featured his piano in a variety of settings. One wishes that today’s revivalists when playing ‘the Duke Ellington Songbook’ would bring back some of his true obscurities such as the ones on this somewhat forgotten session.” (Scott Yanow) All Music

Tracklist:

Side A:

1. I CAN’T GET STARTED 4:23
2. CONG-GO 4:17
3. BODY AND SOUL 4:49
4. BLUES FOR JERRY 4:39
5. FONTAINEBLEAU FOREST 2:54

Side B:

1. SUMMERTIME 3:52
2. IT’S BAD TO BE FORGOTTEN 3:23
3. A HUNDRED DREAMS AGO 2:27
4. SO 4:34
5. SEARCHING (PLEADING FOR LOVE) 1:50
6. SPRINGTIME IN AFRICA 3:47
7. LOTUS BLOSSOM 3:19*

Personnel:

DUKE ELLINGTON, piano

AARON BELL, bass

SAM WOODYARD, drums

Los Angeles, March 1, 1961.

Original recordings produced by Irving Townsend.

*BONUS TRACK: Same personnel. Los Angeles, March 2, 1961.