Joe Pass’s “Portraits of Duke Ellington” was produced by Norman Granz and first released in 1975 on Granz’s Pablo Records label. Recorded just one month after Ellington’s death, this tribute from the legendary jazz guitarist to the band immediately reached number 37 on the jazz album charts. Along with bassist Ray Brown and drummer Bobby Durham, Pass jams on eight Ellington pieces and “Caravan,” written by Juan Tizol, one of Duke’s most important sidemen. Highlights of the album certainly include “In a Mellow Tone,” “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore,” and “I Got It Bad (And That Ain’t Good).” Music critic Scott Yanow (AllMusic) raved about “Portraits of Duke Ellington”: “The interplay between the three musicians is very impressive, and Pass’s mastery of the guitar is obvious. He really didn’t need the backing musicians.”
Analogue Productions is proud to present this sonically superb reissue of “Portraits Of Duke Ellington” on the “Pablo Series Edition”: pressed on 180-gram vinyl by Quality Record Pressings, the LP was remastered from the original master tapes by Matthew Lutthans (The Mastering Lab), cut at 33 rpm, and features cover art by Stoughton Printing. “Portraits Of Duke Ellington” offers a highly audiophile listening experience and significant repertoire value, making it a must-have – not just for fans of Joe Pass and Duke Ellington!
