A Drum Is A Woman
During his long and prolific career, Duke Ellington composed music for concerts ranging from the most prestigious venues to dance halls. He also wrote for the theatre, for movies, and, of course, for records. The work contained on this album, however, originates from an early television special. This musical fantasy or allegory told the story of Jazz in terms of the adventures of Madam Zajj and Carribee Joe, from the Caribbean to the moon via Congo Square and Fifty-Second Street. It was in four parts with a dozen selections, two reprises, and a finale. Extra percussion, a harp, and the voices of Margaret Tynes, Joya Sherrill, and Ozzie Bailey were used, but what could not be experienced on the album was the radiant presence of Carmen de Lavallade, who danced so superbly in the television version. This edition presents the complete original album A Drum Is a Woman plus a rare song played at the original TV show but omitted from the LP
A Drum Is A Woman
During his long and prolific career, Duke Ellington composed music for concerts ranging from the most prestigious venues to dance halls. He also wrote for the theatre, for movies, and, of course, for records. The work contained on this album, however, originates from an early television special. This musical fantasy or allegory told the story of Jazz in terms of the adventures of Madam Zajj and Carribee Joe, from the Caribbean to the moon via Congo Square and Fifty-Second Street. It was in four parts with a dozen selections, two reprises, and a finale. Extra percussion, a harp, and the voices of Margaret Tynes, Joya Sherrill, and Ozzie Bailey were used, but what could not be experienced on the album was the radiant presence of Carmen de Lavallade, who danced so superbly in the television version. This edition presents the complete original album A Drum Is a Woman plus a rare song played at the original TV show but omitted from the LP
