A Tribute to Duke is a 1977 studio album by various artists, recorded in homage to bandleader and composer Duke Ellington.^[1]

Reception

The Allmusic review by JT Griffith awarded the album 3 stars stating "This short, nine-track tribute to the legendary Duke Ellington packs more swing into its 36-minute length than you'd expect. The disc features guest performances from Bing Crosby, Rosemary Clooney, Tony Bennett, and Woody Herman... The instrumental "Main Stem" is a rollicking number that sadly fades out after five minutes. Crosby's "Don't Get Around Much Anymore" features some of his more adventurous vocalizations... A Tribute to Duke plays like a wonderful appetizer, readying your palette for more music. The only weakness of this disc is that it is too short.".^[2]

Track listing

1. "Don't Get Around Much Anymore" (Bob Russell)  3:13
2. "Main Stem"  5:15
3. "In a Sentimental Mood" (Manny Kurtz, Irving Mills)  3:56
4. "I'm Checkin' Out  Go'om Bye" (Billy Strayhorn)  3:47
5. "Prelude to a Kiss" (Mack Gordon, Mills)  2:31
6. "It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)" (Mills)  4:54
7. "I'm Just a Lucky So-and-So" (Mack David)  2:11
8. "What Am I Here For?" (Frankie Laine)  5:03
9. "Sophisticated Lady" (Mitchell Parish)  4:38

All music composed by Duke Ellington, lyricists indicated.

Personnel

Performance

• Rosemary Clooney  vocal ("I'm Checkin' Out  Go'om Bye", "Sophisticated Lady")
• Tony Bennett  ("Prelude to a Kiss", "I'm Just a Lucky So and So")
• Bing Crosby  ("Don't Get Around Much Anymore")
• Woody Herman  ("In a Sentimental Mood")
• Scott Hamilton  tenor saxophone ("Main Stem", "It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)", "What Am I Here For?")
• Bill Berry  trumpet
• Nat Pierce  piano
• Monty Budwig  double bass
• Jake Hanna  drums

References