SMITHSONIAN JAZZ MASTERWORKS ORCHESTRA, Ellington Masterworks
- Jonathan Widran
- May 23
- 2 min read
The Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra’s Ellington Masterworks is much more than a repertory project. Drawn from Duke Ellington compositions spanning 1940-1968 and rooted in the Smithsonian’s vast Ellington archives, the recording reflects the mission that has defined the orchestra since its founding in 1990: preserving jazz history while keeping it vibrantly alive in performance.
Under the direction of conductor and artistic director Charlie Young and informed by the deep archival expertise of longtime Smithsonian jazz curator Ken Kimery, the ensemble shines a light on lesser-known Ellington treasures rather than revisiting the most familiar standards.
Recorded live at MCG Jazz in Pittsburgh—an organization that has partnered with the orchestra for nearly three decades—the album captures the excitement of a working big band fully immersed in Ellington’s rich musical universe. The opening “The Flaming Sword” bursts forth with fanfare, swinging grooves, witty muted trumpet commentary and jubilant ensemble energy. The expansive “Tattooed Bride” unfolds through shifting moods, playful tempo changes and engaging conversations among sections of the orchestra, while “Race” reveals Ellington’s lyrical side through smoky saxophone lines and elegant ensemble textures.
Elsewhere, “Madness in Great Ones” balances imaginative piano passages with rambunctious horn explosions, and the nearly twelve-minute “Ad Lib on Nippon” moves freely between solo piano reflection, colorful ensemble interplay and full-bodied orchestral swing. “Oclupaca” builds from subtle rhythmic gestures into boisterous big-band exuberance, while “Shepherd” evokes New Orleans tradition with blues-drenched trumpet lines and romantic call-and-response exchanges. “Jack the Bear” ends the program in celebratory fashion, featuring playful horn writing, spirited soloing and Ellington’s trademark sense of humor.
Throughout Ellington Masterworks, Young and the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra demonstrate that these compositions are not museum artifacts but living works of art. By combining meticulous scholarship with vibrant musicianship, the ensemble offers a compelling reminder of Ellington’s endless imagination, orchestral brilliance and enduring relevance.
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