1959 · Album
Oscar Peterson Plays The Duke Ellington Song Book
Recorded 1959 · Verve Records · Produced by Norman Granz
A Pianist's Conversation with Duke
Peterson plays Duke's songs like he's having a direct conversation with the man himself.
When Oscar Peterson sat down to record this album, he wasn't trying to reinvent Duke Ellington's music or add some new twist to it. He was doing something simpler and harder: playing Duke's compositions the way a master pianist should, with absolute clarity and respect for what was written. Peterson had already earned his reputation as one of the fastest, most technically precise players in jazz, but here he uses that skill to serve the material rather than show it off.
What makes this different from Peterson's usual trio work is the focus. These are Duke's songs, not vehicles for Peterson to demonstrate his speed or harmonic knowledge. You get the melodies straight, the harmonies clear, and a sense of swing that feels inevitable rather than forced. Peterson had been called "the King of inside swing" by the time this came out, and that nickname makes sense hearing how he moves through these pieces—there's intelligence behind every note, a kind of conversation happening between the pianist and the composer's intentions.
This sits in Peterson's catalog as solid work from his peak years, but not as essential as his best trio recordings. It's for listeners who love both Peterson and Duke, or who want to hear how a great pianist approaches standards without fussing with them. If you're new to Peterson, start with his more energetic trio sessions first. If you know his work and want to hear him in a more formal, composition-focused setting, this is worth your time.
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Where next?
More by Oscar Peterson
Night Train 1963
We Get Requests 1964
Ben Webster Meets Oscar Peterson 1959
Oscar Peterson Plays The Cole Porter Songbook 1959
The musicians on this record
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