Mood Indigo and Sophisticated Lady – 1943

Duke Ellington

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Duke Ellington not only composed a countless number of songs in his career, but he enjoyed regularly rearranging many of the tunes, particularly those that caught on as standards.

“Mood Indigo” and “Sophisticated Lady” date from the early 1930s and stayed in Ellington’s repertoire for 40 years.

For this medley from 1943, rather than feature harmonies from three horns on “Mood Indigo” or Harry Carney on baritone playing the melody of “Sophisticated Lady,” the focus is on Ellington’s piano while accompanied by his orchestra.

This film clip reminds listeners how skilled a pianist Ellington was in addition to his many other musical talents.

-Scott Yanow

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