Koko_1

Koko_1

1. Context

   • Washington DC
     • Middle class
   • Ragtime
     • Stride piano

2. Recording

   • 1940
   • Chicago
   • RCA Victor
   • Multiple microphones
     • Ribbon microphones
     • 2 - 4 parts

3. Structure

   • Rough 12 Bar Blues
   • Intro, CHx7, Coda

4. Instruments

   • Valve Trombone, Juan Tizol, CH1
   • Trombone Solo, Joe Nanton, CH2
   • Trombone Solo, Joe Nanton, CH3
   • Piano, Duke Ellington, CH4
   • Trumpets in unison, CH5
   • Double bass, Jimmy Blanton, then ENS, CH6
   • Full ENS CH7
   • Reduced ENS, Coda
   • Reduced ENS, Intro
   • Alto, Johnny Hodges, Otto Hardwick
   • Clarinet, Barney Bigard
   • Tenor, Ben Webster
   • Barri, Harry Carney
   • Trumpets, Wallace Jones, Cootie Williams, Rex Stewart
   • Trombones, Lawrence Brown
   • Guitar, Fred Guy
   • Drums, Sonny Greer

5. Tonality & Harmony

   • Eb Minor - dark, unusual key for Jazz
     • 'Jungle' Style
   • Aeolian
   • Bluesy feel with clashing chords
   • Avoidance of modulation

6. Ye Olde Duke McEllington Effect

   • Collective Improv
   • Chords arranged for sections of reeds, trumpets or trombones- one to each note
   • Unison Melodies or riffs
   • Antiphonal effets, call and response, counter melodies
   • Solo improv accompanied by contrasting sections and rythm section
   • His piano playing is used very sparingly, just highlighting the tonic low motif throughout