Edition: Jazz Big Band Arrangement

Publisher: Jazz at Lincoln Center

Duke Ellington's New Orleans Suite is one of his beloved later works that was commissioned by George Wein for the 1970 New Orleans Jazz Festival. The suite was originally conceived as a series of mood pieces that exemplify aspects of life in New Orleans. Blues for New Orleans included the B3 organ of Wild Bill Davis; Thanks for the Beautiful Land on the Delta is an evocative, afro-grooving, minor-key tenor feature; Bourbon Street Jingling Jollies features the haunting sounds of the city; Aristocracy à la Jean LaFitte is a tribute to the hero of the Battle of New Orleans from the War of 1812; and finally, Second Line evokes a rousing New Orleans parade. He also included four portraits of New Orleanian musicians: iconic gospel singer Mahalia Jackson, legendary soprano saxophonist Sidney Bechet, bassist and Ellington alum Wellman Braud, and of course, Louis Armstrong.

Wellman Braud (1891-1966) was born in New Orleans, where he gained a reputation as a working musician on violin and upright bass. He relocated to Chicago in 1917 and began doubling on bass and trombone. In 1924, he moved to New York City and joined the Duke Ellington band as they entered their residency as house band at the famed Cotton Club in 1927. His wide variety of techniques including slapping, sliding, arco, two-beat grooves, and the 'walking four' made him a valuable and influential member of Ellington’s ensemble for nearly a decade. He is credited as being one of the first jazz bassists to move away from the tuba-like approach and regularly use a four-beat walking style that has become the default sound in jazz. After leaving Ellington, he continued to record with jazz luminaries such as Jellyroll Morton, Sidney Bechet, Kid Ory, and Lil Hardin among others.

Part of the 2026 Essentially Ellington competition.

v

Full Score
2 Alto Saxophones
2 Tenor Saxophones
Bass Clarinet
4 Trumpets
3 Trombones
Piano
Bass
Drum Set

Trumpet 1: C6
Trombone 1: Bb4