Duke Ellington's Creole Rhapsody, third theme.

Third Theme from Duke Ellington's Creole Rhapsody played by the Dixieland Crackerjacks.
http://www.dixielandcrackerjacks.com

The haunting beauty when Arthur Whetsol started playing this theme in the June 11. version of Duke Ellington's Creole Rhapsody is one of the most magical moments in Ellington's entire career and thus in the entire history of Jazz.
Whetsol's playing is so delicate, a level that no other jazz trumpeter before or after ever achieved. Then also the backing of Ellington's sax section is hardly to beat.

This recording from 1931 was an inspiration for the Dixieland Crackerjacks to make their version with the roles of reeds and brass reversed.
Bert Brandsma plays the theme on the alto saxophone and is backed by muted brass played by Michel Muller and Slidin' Selena.
Then Bert improvises a solo on Ellington's intricate and highly original chord sequence, then the theme returns.

The Crackerjacks first recorded it in 2001, on the CD : St. James in Germany.

We hope you enjoy this live version, which was filmed during a live concert in the "Haagse Jazzclub", The Hague, The Netherlands on November 11. 2007

Bert Brandsma - alto saxophone
Michel Muller - trumpet
Slidin' Selena - trombone
Koos Greven - guitar
H.H. - bass
Lielian Tan - drums

We also hope that this recording may help a little to make more people interested in Ellington's Creole Rhapsody. The piece is too much neglected and condemned, Ellington was accused of being too serious!

A real master artist can never be too serious about his work.......

Duke and Arthur, thank you very much!