Franco D'Andrea Trio - New World A-Comin': The Duke Ellington Suites 1931-1974, Chapter 2 (2005)

The second volume of pianist Franco D'Andrea's explorations of excerpts from various suites by Duke Ellington once again draws from throughout the maestro's long career. With bassist Ares Tavolazzi and drummer Massimo Manzi, he selects a number of pieces which have been performed infrequently, including the bluesy "Lay-By," "The Star-Crossed Lovers" (with Tavolazzi prominently featured) and the exotic South American-flavored "Oclupaca." The inclusion of "Music Is My Mistress" is a bit dubious since Ellington never recorded it and the piece is generally regarded as one of his son Mercer's compositions. In any case, D'Andrea and his trio are true to the music and find something new within each work to share with Ellington fans.

Review by Ken Dryden