https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/ellington-reflections--2883602enSociety & CultureCopyright Steve Bowiehttps://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/9cb2793e858e8755234d718c938dc80b.jpghttps://www.spreaker.com/podcast/ellington-reflections--2883602Mon, 31 Aug 2026 23:20:55 +0000Steve BowieSteve Bowiefeeds@spreaker.comPodcast reflections on the many facets of the world of Duke Ellington, sometimes referred to as “Ellingtonia.”false2ec6753c-cc32-56b8-9a16-779ebb2aedcfepisodichttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/portrait-of-sidney-bechet-podcast-26-004--74774466Continue reading →]]>http://ellingtonreflections.com/?p=14713Mon, 31 Aug 2026 22:50:55 +0000Steve BowieSidney Bechet briefly played with Ellington in the mid-1920s. They never recorded together, but Bechet played Ellington music throughout his career. https://ellingtonreflections.com/2026/08/31/portrait-of-sidney-bechet-podcast-26-004/Continue reading →]]>2164falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/portrait-of-kenny-burrell-podcast-26-003--73246284Continue reading →]]>http://ellingtonreflections.com/?p=14622Wed, 29 Jul 2026 21:39:18 +0000Steve BowieA 95th Birthday salute to guitarist, educator and Ellington advocate Kenny Burrell https://ellingtonreflections.com/2026/07/29/portrait-of-kenny-burrell-podcast-26-003/Continue reading →]]>3196falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-original-far-east-suite-podcast-26-002--72234259http://ellingtonreflections.com/?p=14405Fri, 29 May 2026 19:55:28 +0000Steve BowieThe Ellington band’s State Department tour in the fall of 1963 provided the inspiration for the pieces he and Billy Strayhorn composed that was originally titled “Impressions of the Far East” and later retitled the far east suite.2146falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/beyond-the-usual-suspects-happy-birthday-duke-podcast-26-001--71762221Continue reading →]]>http://ellingtonreflections.com/?p=14305Wed, 29 Apr 2026 23:31:51 +0000Steve BowieMost Duke Ellington tribute concerts and recordings rely on just a handful of his compositions (Mood Indigo, Satin Doll, In A Sentimental Mood, etc.). The Duke Ellington Society refers to these songs as “the usual suspects.” While they are worthy of...Continue reading →]]>3342falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/five-books-podcast-25-004--66344987Continue reading →]]>http://ellingtonreflections.com/?p=13245Fri, 30 May 2025 21:30:41 +0000Steve BowieFive Ellington related books, all published by University Press of Mississippi. https://ellingtonreflections.com/2025/05/30/five-books-podcast-25-004/Continue reading →]]>2778falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/happy-birthday-duke-podcast-25-003--65796183Continue reading →]]>http://ellingtonreflections.com/?p=13081Tue, 29 Apr 2025 17:32:51 +0000Steve BowieA birthday salute to Duke Ellington featuring Brian Priestley, Brian Landrus and the Planet D Nonet performing rarely covered Ellington compositions. https://ellingtonreflections.com/2025/04/29/happy-birthday-duke-podcast-25-003/Continue reading →]]>2888falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-magazine-suite-podcast-25-002--64633665Continue reading →]]>http://ellingtonreflections.com/?p=12781Fri, 28 Feb 2025 20:53:11 +0000Steve Bowie"The Magazine Suite is an entirely new three-part composition. The band played it a few more times in 1945 and 1946 but never thereafter. It is remarkable how many Ellington compositions were allowed to sink without trace like this, suggesting that …...Continue reading →]]>1282falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-latin-american-suite-podcast-25-001--64106157Continue reading →]]>http://ellingtonreflections.com/?p=12595Sat, 01 Feb 2025 00:57:36 +0000Steve Bowie"The Latin American Suite," from 1968 showed that despite advancing age and the recent death of his writing partner Billy Strayhorn, there was no end in Ellington's creativity....Continue reading →]]>2392falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/portrait-of-mercer-ellington-part-iii-podcast-24-005--63498012Continue reading →]]>http://ellingtonreflections.com/?p=12120Sat, 28 Dec 2024 16:55:44 +0000Steve BowieA look at the years Mercer Ellington led the Duke Ellington Orchestra (1974 to 1996). https://ellingtonreflections.com/2024/12/28/portrait-of-mercer-ellington-part-iii-podcast-24-005/Continue reading →]]>3622falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/portrait-of-mercer-ellington-part-ii-podcast-24-004--63007655Continue reading →]]>http://ellingtonreflections.com/?p=11271Mon, 25 Nov 2024 23:54:39 +0000Steve BowiePart II of Portrait of Mercer Ellington, composer, arranger, trumpeter - and drummer... https://ellingtonreflections.com/2024/11/25/portrait-of-mercer-ellington-part-ii-podcast-24-004/Continue reading →]]>3022falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/happy-birthday-duke-podcast-24-003--59700382Continue reading →]]>http://ellingtonreflections.com/?p=11371Mon, 29 Apr 2024 14:49:44 +0000Steve Bowie  Happy Birthday, Duke!  Duke Ellington was born on this date 125 years ago. Today also marks the 7th anniversary for podcast/blog Ellington Reflections.  I’m currently editing my Cootie Williams biography and securing the necessary image permissions,...Continue reading →]]>2892falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/portrait-of-mercer-ellington-part-i-podcast-24-002--58882548Continue reading →]]>http://ellingtonreflections.com/?p=11100Thu, 29 Feb 2024 23:53:59 +0000Steve BowieMercer Ellington, son of Duke Ellington, is an underrated contributor to the world of Ellingtonia. https://ellingtonreflections.com/2024/02/29/portrait-of-mercer-ellington-part-i-podcast-24-002/Continue reading →]]>2270falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/portrait-of-jimmy-jones-podcast-24-001--58526750http://ellingtonreflections.com/?p=10981Thu, 01 Feb 2024 00:27:14 +0000Steve BowieDetails to follow!!!!!3730falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/portrait-of-harold-shorty-baker-podcast-23-011--58149225Continue reading →]]>http://ellingtonreflections.com/?p=10838Fri, 29 Dec 2023 19:22:06 +0000Steve BowieDuke Ellington said of trumpeter Harold "Shorty" Baker that "his way of playing a melody was absolutely personal, and he had no bad notes at all." https://ellingtonreflections.com/2023/12/29/portrait-of-harold-shorty-baker-podcast-23-011/Continue reading →]]>3266falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/portrait-of-wellman-braud-podcast-23-010--57882890Continue reading →]]>http://ellingtonreflections.com/?p=10722Sat, 02 Dec 2023 00:38:50 +0000Steve Bowie"Bill "Bojangles" Robinson and Wellman Braud were like Jelly [Roll Morton]; they'd talk as long as anyone would listen and hung around outside the Band Box. After Braud got written up in Ripley's "Believe It or Not" column, he was …...Continue reading →]]>2710falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/side-by-side-and-back-to-back-podcast-23-009--57436270Continue reading →]]>http://ellingtonreflections.com/?p=10532Sun, 29 Oct 2023 22:36:01 +0000Steve BowieThe recordings heard on this podcast episode:   Wallace Jones, Cootie Williams, Rex Stewart – trumpet; Lawrence Brown, Joe Nanton, Juan Tizol – trombone; Barney Bigard, Johnny Hodges, Otto Hardwicke, Harry Carney – reeds; Duke Ellington – piano; Fred...Continue reading →]]>2627falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/portrait-of-arthur-whetsel-podcast-23-008--56999553Continue reading →]]>http://ellingtonreflections.com/?p=10401Fri, 29 Sep 2023 21:28:15 +0000Steve Bowie"As a trumpet player, [Arthur Whetsel] had a tonal personality that has never really been duplicated. Sweet, but not syrupy, nor schmaltzy, nor surrealistic, it had a superiority of extrasensory dimensions. Both as a soloist and from the point of …...Continue reading →]]>1936falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/portrait-of-norris-turney-podcast-23-007--56631501Continue reading →]]>http://ellingtonreflections.com/?p=10279Tue, 29 Aug 2023 22:34:07 +0000Steve BowieMulti-reedman Norris Turney became the first flute soloist featured with the Duke Ellington Orchestra. He was with the band for 4 years, leaving in 1973. https://ellingtonreflections.com/2023/08/29/portrait-of-norris-turney-podcast-23-007/Continue reading →]]>2721falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/togo-brava-suite-podcast-23-006--56297439Continue reading →]]>http://ellingtonreflections.com/?p=10112Sat, 29 Jul 2023 22:57:06 +0000Steve BowieIn 1967, the west African nation of Togo released a postage stamp of Duke Ellington. Ellington reciprocated by writing the four movement Togo Brava Suite in 1971, the subject of this month’s episode of Ellington Reflections....Continue reading →]]>2445falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/suite-thursday-podcast-23-0005--54031001Continue reading →]]>http://ellingtonreflections.com/?p=9954Mon, 29 May 2023 11:29:00 +0000Steve Bowie"Then in 1960 we came up with Suite Thursday for the Monterey Festival that year…we tried to parallel John Steinbeck's story, "Sweet Thursday," which was set in Monterey's Cannery Row." Duke Ellington, Music is my Mistress   The recordings heard …...Continue reading →]]>1404falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/parisian-birthday-celebration-podcast-23-004--53688932Continue reading →]]>http://ellingtonreflections.com/?p=9855Sat, 29 Apr 2023 13:44:48 +0000Steve BowieCelebrating the 124th anniversary of the birth of Duke Ellington and the 6th birthday for Ellington Reflections with a Parisian themed episode in honor of the 2023 Ellington Conference being held in the City of Lights....Continue reading →]]>2553falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ellington-2023-duke-and-the-lights-podcast-23-003--53405145Continue reading →]]>http://ellingtonreflections.com/?p=9713Fri, 31 Mar 2023 17:04:49 +0000Steve BowieSince 1981, Ellington experts from around the world have been meeting every year in order to exchange and share their knowledge about Duke Ellington’s work and life. After the US, England, Canada, Denmark, Sweden and the Netherlands, La Maison du Duke...Continue reading →]]>407falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/one-more-once-podcast-23-002--53066572Continue reading →]]>http://ellingtonreflections.com/?p=9600Wed, 01 Mar 2023 23:14:21 +0000Steve BowieJust a few items I either omitted unknowingly, or due to time, or just not having access to at the time. https://ellingtonreflections.com/2023/03/01/one-more-once-podcast-23-002/Continue reading →]]>2243falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/reminiscing-in-tempo-podcast-23-001--52904942Continue reading →]]>http://ellingtonreflections.com/?p=9302Mon, 30 Jan 2023 15:34:53 +0000Steve BowieReminiscing In Tempo is one of Duke Ellington’s most personal compositions. In was written in memory of his mother, Daisy Kennedy Ellington. https://ellingtonreflections.com/2023/01/30/reminiscing-in-tempo-podcast-23-001/Continue reading →]]>1544falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/cootie-plays-duke-part-ii-podcast-22-013--52904422Continue reading →]]>http://ellingtonreflections.com/?p=8948Thu, 29 Dec 2022 22:48:09 +0000Steve BowieDuring his 22 year sabbatical from the Duke Ellington orchestra, Cootie Williams continued to feature music from the Ellington songbook. https://ellingtonreflections.com/2022/12/29/cootie-plays-duke-part-ii-podcast-22-013/Continue reading →]]>2245falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/cootie-plays-duke-part-i-podcast-22-012--52905779Continue reading →]]>http://ellingtonreflections.com/?p=8725Tue, 29 Nov 2022 23:55:36 +0000Steve BowieDuring his 22 year sabbatical from the Duke Ellington orchestra, Cootie Williams continued to feature music from the Ellington songbook. https://ellingtonreflections.com/2022/11/29/cootie-plays-duke-part-i-podcast-22-012/Continue reading →]]>2405falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-new-york-choral-society-performs-duke-ellington-s-sacred-concerts-podcast-22-011--52905100Continue reading →]]>http://ellingtonreflections.com/?p=8425Fri, 28 Oct 2022 14:34:44 +0000Steve BowieThe New York Choral Society, New York’s pioneering symphonic chorus that explores unique collaboration and dynamic repertory, in partnership with The New School College of Performing Arts, presents Duke Ellington’s Sacred Concerts, November 18 and 19...Continue reading →]]>2283falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/portrait-of-louie-bellson-podcast-22-010--52904917Continue reading →]]>http://ellingtonreflections.com/?p=7894Thu, 29 Sep 2022 21:18:44 +0000Steve BowieDrummer/Composer/Arranger Louie Bellson (1924-2009) was a musician's musician. Although he was only with the Ellington for a short period, he created a huge impact in the Ellington legacy....Continue reading →]]>3651falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-perfume-suite-podcast-22-009--52904881Continue reading →]]>http://ellingtonreflections.com/?p=7488Mon, 29 Aug 2022 19:20:20 +0000Steve BowieDuke Ellington premiered "The Perfume Suite" at his third Carnegie Hall concert in December, 1944. https://ellingtonreflections.com/2022/08/29/the-perfume-suite-podcast-22-009/Continue reading →]]>1358falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-deep-south-suite-podcast-22-008--52905800Continue reading →]]>http://ellingtonreflections.com/?p=6970Fri, 29 Jul 2022 12:00:00 +0000Steve Bowie"In 1946, we might remind ourselves, the American South was a one-party apartheid society, the Klu Klux Klan still operated without police intervention and lynchings were still an accepted form of justice; in Congress, Southern senators and...Continue reading →]]>2192falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/portrait-of-russell-procope-part-ii-podcast-22-007--52904912Continue reading →]]>http://ellingtonreflections.com/?p=6602Wed, 29 Jun 2022 13:00:00 +0000Steve BowieThe second part of a survey of Russell Procope's work with the Ellington band. https://ellingtonreflections.com/2022/06/29/portrait-of-russell-procope-part-ii-podcast-22-007/Continue reading →]]>3244falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/portrait-of-russell-procope-part-i-podcast-22-006--52905814Continue reading →]]>http://ellingtonreflections.com/?p=6237Sun, 29 May 2022 13:00:00 +0000Steve Bowie"Russell Procope…. a man of dignity and gentility, of clean and gentlemanly appearance. What is more, he became a conscientious, all-around musician, one always to be depended on." Duke Ellington, Music is my Mistress This documentary features...Continue reading →]]>3195falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/creole-rhapsody-podcast-22-005--52904566Continue reading →]]>http://ellingtonreflections.com/?p=6433Fri, 29 Apr 2022 15:44:56 +0000Steve Bowie"So I went out and wrote Creole Rhapsody, and I did so much music for it that we had to cut t up and do two versions. One came out on Brunswick and the other, longer one, on Victor. Irving …...Continue reading →]]>1727falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/beyond-the-usual-suspects-part-ii-podcast-22-004--52904928Continue reading →]]>http://ellingtonreflections.com/?p=6429Tue, 08 Mar 2022 21:58:50 +0000Steve BowieThe second part of a survey of seldom covered Ellington compositions. https://ellingtonreflections.com/2022/03/08/beyond-the-usual-suspects-part-ii-podcast-22-004/Continue reading →]]>2843falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/beyond-the-usual-suspects-part-i-podcast-22-003--52904927Continue reading →]]>http://ellingtonreflections.com/?p=6246Tue, 22 Feb 2022 22:35:35 +0000Steve BowieAnother look at less commonly covered Ellington compositions. https://ellingtonreflections.com/2022/02/22/beyond-the-usual-suspects-part-i-podcast-22-003/Continue reading →]]>2810falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/portrait-of-charlie-barnet-part-ii-podcast-22-002--52904572Continue reading →]]>http://ellingtonreflections.com/?p=6239Fri, 28 Jan 2022 16:14:04 +0000Steve Bowie"Meanwhile, I was looking around for musicians who were sympathetic to my musical ideas and would fit my plans. I now wanted to incorporate Duke Ellington's harmonic approach and tone colors with Count Basie's rhythmic drive." Charlie Barnet, Those...Continue reading →]]>3399falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/portrait-of-charlie-barnet-part-i-podcast-22-001--52905119Continue reading →]]>http://ellingtonreflections.com/?p=6231Wed, 12 Jan 2022 22:02:15 +0000Steve Bowie"Charlie Barnet has always been a wonderful friend to me. Because of his musicianship, good judgement, and good taste, he has always had people working for him whose potential was immense. Some who come to my mind are Lena Horne, …...Continue reading →]]>2750falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ellingtonians-play-ellington-podcast-21-007--52904886Continue reading →]]>http://ellingtonreflections.com/?p=6034Wed, 22 Dec 2021 23:56:18 +0000Steve BowieA small sampling of Ellington songs played by his sidemen outside of the setting of the Ellington orchestra. https://ellingtonreflections.com/2021/12/22/ellingtonians-play-ellington-podcast-21-007/Continue reading →]]>3258falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/portrait-of-jimmy-hamilton-part-iii-podcast-21-006--52905130Continue reading →]]>http://ellingtonreflections.com/?p=4766Thu, 02 Dec 2021 19:35:40 +0000Steve BowieThe third episode featuring the recordings of clarinetist/saxophonist Jimmy Hamilton https://ellingtonreflections.com/2021/12/02/portrait-of-jimmy-hamilton-part-iii-podcast-21-006/Continue reading →]]>2747falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/portrait-of-jimmy-hamilton-part-ii-podcast-21-005--52904594Continue reading →]]>http://ellingtonreflections.com/?p=4576Sat, 30 Oct 2021 16:31:29 +0000Steve BowiePart two of recordings featuring Jimmy Hamilton https://ellingtonreflections.com/2021/10/30/portrait-of-jimmy-hamilton-part-ii-podcast-21-005/Continue reading →]]>3292falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/portrait-of-jimmy-hamilton-part-i-podcast-21-004--52905830Continue reading →]]>http://ellingtonreflections.com/?p=4578Wed, 04 Aug 2021 19:42:47 +0000Steve Bowie“[Jimmy Hamilton] usually manages anything musical that he sets his mind to, and there, I think, is the key to any attempt at describing him. He has the capacity to discipline himself and the diligence to study in order to …...Continue reading →]]>3319falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/and-the-trumpets-sing-podcast-21-003--52904963Continue reading →]]>http://ellingtonreflections.com/?p=4744Mon, 05 Jul 2021 16:31:49 +0000Steve BowieFeaturing the singing trumpeters of the Duke Ellington Orchestra. https://ellingtonreflections.com/2021/07/05/and-the-trumpets-sing-podcast-21-003/Continue reading →]]>3218falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/my-favorite-ellington-things-according-to-the-ipod-podcast-21-002--52904908Continue reading →]]>http://ellingtonreflections.com/?p=4764Wed, 16 Jun 2021 03:08:01 +0000Steve BowieHere's a selection of what my iPod says are my most listened-to Ellington songs. https://ellingtonreflections.com/2021/06/15/my-favorite-ellington-things-according-to-the-ipod-podcast-21-002/Continue reading →]]>3204falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/potrait-of-tyree-glenn-podcast-21-001--45126665http://ellingtonreflections.com/?p=5286Tue, 01 Jun 2021 19:49:58 +0000Steve Bowie"Tyree, to me, is a very beautiful trombone player. He plays real good legit trombone, and when he applied the plunger to it his tone remained very precise and clean, so that you were tempted to like it better than … Continue reading →2483falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/portrait-of-harold-ashby-podcast-20-007--41861512http://ellingtonreflections.com/?p=5227Sun, 08 Nov 2020 15:38:01 +0000Steve BowieThe recordings heard on this podcast episode: JEEP’S BLUES/OUT OF NOWHERE (CD: Recorded 1961 Ray Nance – trumpet; Harold Ashby, Paul Gonsalves – tenor sax; Sir Charles Thompson – piano; Aaron Bell – bass; Jo Jones – drums. I CAN’T … Continue reading →3553falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/portrait-of-joya-sherrill-podcast-20-006--34148481http://ellingtonreflections.com/?p=4738Sun, 28 Jun 2020 15:15:30 +0000Steve BowieJoya Sherrill was a featured vocalist with the Ellington orchestra from 1944 to 1946, but returned periodically in subsequent years. One of Ellington's best vocalists, she deserves wider recognition. Continue reading →3113falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/portrait-of-juan-tizol-podcast-20-005--28750032
Continue reading →]]>http://ellingtonreflections.com/?p=4574Sun, 31 May 2020 14:41:24 +0000Steve BowieValve trombonist Juan Tizol (1900-84) was an important member of the Ellington band. Besides instrumental duties, he was a composer, arranger and copyist. Continue reading →
Continue reading →]]>4030falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/portrait-of-sam-woodyard-podcast-20-004--24852960http://ellingtonreflections.com/?p=4572Sun, 05 Apr 2020 15:27:00 +0000Steve Bowie"Sometimes we would write something that seemed or was expected to be below bland, but when Sam added his thing to it, immediately it took on a new dimension, exotic, zesty, or maybe lecherous soul. Sam the Man, who began … Continue reading →3848falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/variations-on-a-theme-song-podcast-20-003--24139831http://ellingtonreflections.com/?p=4736Sat, 21 Mar 2020 16:25:43 +0000Steve BowieBilly Strayhorn wrote "Take the "A" Train," which became the band's theme song in 1941. We survey a number of diverse treatments from a thirty year period. Continue reading →3264falsefull