East St. Louis Toodle-Oo

Duke Ellington (the Washingtonians) · 1927 · Co-written by Miley and Ellington; hit version recorded on March 22, 1927 for Columbia.

Context

Co-written by Duke Ellington and trumpeter Bubber Miley, this theme was recorded several times between November 1926 and March 1927; the Columbia version of March 22, 1927, credited to the Washingtonians, became Ellington's first charting hit. An early example of the "jungle" style, it rests on Miley's growling trumpet, played with a plunger mute. Steely Dan covered it on Pretzel Logic in 1974.

In the genealogy of jazz

This track belongs to Harlem: Henderson, Redman, Ellington. Among the origins and influences of Harlem: Henderson, Redman, Ellington: Chicago, Stride (Harlem piano).

By the same artist

• Black and Tan Fantasy (1927)
• Creole Love Call (1927)
• Mood Indigo (1930)
• It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing) (1932)
• Sophisticated Lady (1933)
• Cotton Tail (1940)

Sources

• EN: East St. Louis Toodle-Oo
• adp.library.ucsb.edu

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