The Private Collection, Vol. 6: Dance Dates: California 1958

Reissue producer: Harry Hirsch.

Return with us now to those thrilling days of yesteryear--March of 1958 to be exact, when people still danced to big bands, despite the onslaught of rock & roll and rhythm & blues. Recorded live at the Travis and Mather Air Force bases in California, this is Ellington clearly playing for dancers' enjoyment, without sacrificing any of his jazz integrity. Ellington was part of a generation of jazz musicians/composers who could make people dance all the while making music that would stand the test of time. The program is a mix of Ellington hits/standards ("C Jam Blues," "Mood Indigo," "Caravan"), "evergreens" like "Willow Weep for Me," and portions of longer original works ("Such Sweet Thunder," the Duke's Shakespeare-inspired suite). Of course, the band's playing is typically excellent, but with a relaxed, good-time looseness to it--the band is having a good a time as the dancers!