New Orleans Suite

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New Orleans Suite is the eighth studio album by American pianist, composer, and bandleader Duke Ellington recorded and released on the Atlantic label in 1970. The album features the final recordings of longtime Ellington saxophonist Johnny Hodges, who died between the album's two recording sessions. The album won a Grammy Award in 1971 for Best Jazz Performance by a Big Band.

The suite was commissioned by George Wein for the 1970 New Orleans Jazz Festival.

Video New Orleans Suite

Reception

In his review for Sounds, Jack Hutton remarked that "a Creole influence permeates the work, a lazy Delta feel laden with nostalgic sadness which is a probably a[sic] truer reflection of the historic city than the good-time trad which has helped to popularise it." He praised the solos of Norris Turney, criticized those of Cootie Williams, and concluded that "This suite, while it doesn't rank with Ellington's greatest works, proves that the piano player is still vitally creative well into his seventies."

The Allmusic review by Scott Yanow awarded the album 3 stars and states "Interesting if not essential music with a few memorable themes being the main reason to acquire this release". The Penguin Guide to Jazz includes the album as part of its suggested "Core Collection," and awards it a four-star rating.