Happy Reunion

Happy Reunion is an album by American pianist, composer and bandleader Duke Ellington recorded in 1956 and 1958 but not released on the Doctor Jazz label until 1985.^[1] The album features two small group sessions led by Ellington and recorded in Chicago.^[2]

Happy Reunion
Studio album by Duke Ellington
Released	1985
Recorded	March 19, 1956 & June 24, 1958
Studio	Universal Studios, Chicago
Genre	Jazz
Length	33:35
Label	Doctor Jazz FW 40030
Producer	Duke Ellington & Bill Putnam
Duke Ellington chronology
The Cosmic Scene (1958) Happy Reunion (1985) Newport 1958 (1958)

Reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[3]

The Allmusic review by Scott Yanow stated: "A particular highlight is hearing Gonsalves play 31 choruses on "Diminuendo and Crescendo in Blue" in this setting".^[3]

Track listing

All compositions by Duke Ellington except where noted

1. "Way Back Blues" (Count Basie) - 3:25
2. "Where's the Music?" - 3:11
3. "Rubber Bottom" - 2:48
4. "Play the Blues and Go" - 4:32
5. "In a Mellow Tone" [Take 1] (Ellington, Milt Gabler) - 3:14
6. "In a Mellow Tone" [Take 2] (Ellington, Gabler) - 2:58
7. "Happy Reunion" [Take 1] - 3:26
8. "Happy Reunion" [Take 2] - 2:42
9. "Diminuendo and Crescendo in Blue (The Wailing Interval)" - 7:20

• Recorded at Universal Studios, Chicago on March 19, 1956 (tracks 1-4) and June 24, 1958 (tracks 5-9).

Personnel

• Duke Ellington – piano
• Clark Terry - trumpet (tracks 1-4)
• John Sanders - valve trombone (tracks 1-4)
• Jimmy Hamilton - clarinet (tracks 1-4)
• Johnny Hodges - alto saxophone (tracks 1-4)
• Paul Gonsalves - tenor saxophone (tracks 5-9)
• Jimmy Woode - bass
• Sam Woodyard - drums

References

1. Both Sides Now: Doctor Jazz Label Discography, accessed November 26, 2019
2. Duke Ellington Panorama: Discography, accessed November 26, 2019
3. Yanow, S. Allmusic Review accessed May 10, 2010