Liberian Suite

Liberian Suite
Studio album by
Duke Ellington
Released1948
RecordedDecember 24, 1947
GenreJazz
LabelColumbia
Duke Ellington chronology
Black, Brown & Beige: The 1944-1946 Band Recordings
(1944–46) 		Liberian Suite
(1948) 		The Carnegie Hall Concerts: December 1947
(1947)

Liberian Suite is an album by American pianist, composer and bandleader Duke Ellington recorded for the Columbia label in 1947. The album was Ellingon's second 10" LP album and one of his earlier works on the Columbia label.[1] The suite represents one of Ellington's early extended compositions and was commissioned for the Liberian centennial. The Liberian Suite was released on CD as bonus tracks on Ellington Uptown in 2004.

Reception

The Allmusic review awarded the album 3 stars and stated "Liberian Suite was his first international commission, from the government of the African nation, to celebrate the 100th anniversary of its founding by freed American slaves-it was the first formal manifestation of a process by which Ellington would be a virtual musical ambassador to the world by the end of the next decade. As to the music, it is not Ellington's most sophisticated piece of music, but it is filled with bracing rhythms, juicy parts for the horns and saxes, and one stunning vocal part".[2]

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[2]

Around 1953 Philips brought out the Liberian Suite on Minigroove 33 1/3 under number B 07611R

Track listing

:All compositions by Duke Ellington

  1. "The Liberian Suite: I Like the Sunrise" – 4:28
  2. "The Liberian Suite: Dance No. 1" – 4:50
  3. "The Liberian Suite: Dance No. 2" – 3:26
  4. "The Liberian Suite: Dance No. 3" – 3:45
  5. "The Liberian Suite: Dance No. 4" – 3:04
  6. "The Liberian Suite: Dance No. 5" – 5:08

Personnel

References

  1. ^ A Duke Ellington Panorama Archived 2017-09-09 at the Wayback Machine accessed May 25, 2010
  2. ^ a b Allmusic Review accessed May 25, 2010