Greetings, adventurous listeners! Finnley the Dolphin here, diving once again into the captivating depths of audio history. Today, we’re exploring an extraordinary record featuring the legendary Duke Ellington and his renowned orchestra, spotlighting two memorable tracks that capture a fascinating snapshot of American culture during World War II.
Duke Ellington, born Edward Kennedy Ellington on April 29, 1899, in Washington, D.C., passed away on May 24, 1974, from complications due to pneumonia and lung cancer. Ellington, celebrated as a visionary composer and influential bandleader, propelled jazz to global prominence. His prolific output includes over a thousand compositions, among them classics like “Mood Indigo,” “Sophisticated Lady,” and “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing).” Ellington masterfully combined blues, gospel, and classical influences, creating sophisticated arrangements that transcended the typical boundaries of jazz.
Throughout his remarkable career, Ellington received numerous accolades, including multiple Grammy Awards, honorary doctorates, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1969. His pioneering spirit continues to resonate today, influencing countless musicians and cementing his status as an enduring icon whose artistic innovations fundamentally shaped 20th-century music.
Ellington’s orchestra was filled with extraordinary talents, among them the versatile Ray Nance, born December 10, 1913, in Chicago, Illinois. Nance passed away on January 28, 1976, after battling a prolonged illness. Recognized for his engaging stage presence, Nance was an exceptional trumpeter, violinist, and vocalist, often simultaneously showcasing these talents. His charismatic personality and infectious enthusiasm significantly enriched the orchestra’s performances, making him a beloved figure among audiences and peers alike.
Ray Nance’s vocal talents are vividly showcased on “A Slip Of The Lip (Can Sink A Ship).” His unique ability to deliver humorous lyrics with rhythmic precision added a distinctive charm to Ellington’s performances. Nance’s multifaceted abilities brought additional depth and entertainment value to Ellington’s orchestra, ensuring his legacy as one of jazz’s most engaging performers.
Another iconic musician integral to Ellington’s sound was alto saxophonist Johnny Hodges, born July 25, 1907, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and who died from a heart attack on May 11, 1970, in New York City. Known for his smooth, lush, and deeply emotional playing style, Hodges significantly shaped the sound and emotional tone of Ellington’s orchestra from 1928 until his death, except for a brief hiatus between 1951 and 1955.
Hodges’ influential playing profoundly shaped jazz saxophone performance and set the standard for emotional expression through music. His lyrical, melodic style is unmistakably showcased on tracks such as “Sentimental Lady,” where his rich tone and sensitive delivery deeply resonated with audiences. Hodges remains celebrated today as a saxophonist whose expressive performances continue to inspire jazz musicians around the world.
Behind these legendary recordings was the Radio Corporation of America (RCA), established in 1919. RCA quickly became a key player in media and entertainment, significantly contributing to the development and popularization of jazz through its RCA Victor division. RCA Victor’s cutting-edge technology, extensive recording studios,including the renowned RCA Victor Studio A in Chicago,and wide-reaching distribution network enabled jazz music to flourish nationwide.
During the 1930s and 1940s, RCA’s pressing plants, particularly the Camden facility, were instrumental in producing durable, high-quality shellac records at 78 RPM,the standard format for music during this period. These records provided superior audio fidelity suitable for capturing jazz’s vibrant dynamics, making them vital cultural artifacts that preserved musical history for future generations.
One such landmark recording is Duke Ellington and His Orchestra’s Victor 20-1528, released in August 1943. Pressed on high-quality shellac and spinning at 78 RPM, this record is historically significant not only for its outstanding music but also as a cultural artifact reflecting America’s wartime atmosphere.
“A Slip Of The Lip (Can Sink A Ship),” composed by Luther Henderson Jr. and Mercer Ellington, cleverly channels wartime propaganda slogans cautioning Americans against careless conversation that could jeopardize national security. Ray Nance delivers a spirited vocal performance that balances humor and wartime seriousness, epitomizing how jazz was used creatively to convey critical societal messages during World War II.
On the flip side, “Sentimental Lady,” composed by Duke Ellington, offers a contrasting emotional experience. Featuring Johnny Hodges’ emotive alto saxophone, this instrumental piece captures the feelings of nostalgia and comfort sought by audiences in a time of global uncertainty. Hodges’ expressive playing provided listeners solace, making the composition both timely and timeless.
Together, these tracks embody the dual essence of wartime jazz,its playful ability to lift spirits and its powerful emotional depth capable of touching listeners profoundly. Highlighting Ellington’s compositional genius and the exceptional talents of Ray Nance and Johnny Hodges, this record remains an enduring testament to jazz’s profound artistic impact.
As with all recordings featured here on Finnley’s Audio Adventures, this audio capture is taken directly at line level, without any additional filtering between the turntable and the recording equipment. Each record undergoes careful cleaning beforehand, either through ultrasonic cleaning or gently with a damp microfiber cloth, depending on the level of noise and surface contaminants present. Following the initial recording, the audio is digitally restored, removing pops, clicks, surface noise, hiss, and other imperfections, all while meticulously preserving the integrity and authentic character of the original sound.
Thanks for swimming along on today’s audio adventure, friends! Stay tuned for our next exploration into the remarkable world of historical sounds and stories.
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Sources:
Books:
Chambers, J. K. A Tone Parallel to Duke Ellington: The Man in the Music. University Press of Mississippi, 2025.
Rattenbury, Ken. Duke Ellington, Jazz Composer. Yale University Press, 1990.
Vail, Ken. Duke’s Diary. Scarecrow Press, 2002.
Ellington, Mercer. Duke Ellington in Person. Houghton Mifflin, 1978.
Chapman, Con. Rabbit’s Blues: The Life and Music of Johnny Hodges. Oxford University Press, 2019.
Colin Larkin, ed. The Guinness Who’s Who of Jazz. 1st ed., Guinness Publishing, 1992.
Sanjek, Russell. American Popular Music and Its Business: The First Four Hundred Years, Volume III: From 1900-1984. Oxford University Press, 1988.
The Cambridge Companion to Duke Ellington. Cambridge University Press, 2015.
Articles:
Jones, Jack. “From the Archives: Jazz Great Duke Ellington Dies in New York Hospital at 75.” Los Angeles Times, 25 May 1974.
“Record Reviews.” Billboard, 14 Aug. 1943.
Websites:
“Johnny Hodges Biography.” AllMusic, www.allmusic.com/artist/johnny-hodges-mn0000526407#biography. Accessed 7 Mar. 2025.
“Duke Ellington and His Famous Orchestra – A Slip Of The Lip / Sentimental Lady.” Discogs, www.discogs.com/release/2606602-Duke-Ellington-And-His-Famous-Orchestra-A-Slip-Of-The-Lip-Sentimental-Lady. Accessed 7 Mar. 2025.
“RCA (Radio Corporation of America).” Engineering and Technology History Wiki, https://ethw.org/RCA_(Radio_Corporation_of_America). Accessed 7 Mar. 2025.
