Contributed by bluebird, who writes:-
Drummer and vocalist Ray Ellington (1916-1985) was probably best known as the provider of the musical interludes on the long running 'Goon Show' on BBC radio. Whilst he earned his living mainly playing in nightclubs and cabarets, he had a strong jazz streak running through his work but recorded little in this vein.
Ray's recording career started back in 1937 with the Harry Roy Band where he stayed until the outbreak of WW2 in which he served as a PT Instructor.
He formed his own Quartet in 1947 again working mainly around the nightclub circuit - novelty songs like 'Little Bo(p) Peep' and 'The Rich Maharajah of Magador' (remember that one?) were his specialty.
The jazz sessions were few - a 1948 date with Ray Nance and the Ellingtonians in London will feature later but here is a purely jazz instrumental session from 1959.
I suppose it was inevitable that a record would be created called 'Ellington Plays Ellington' but the Quartet treats the Duke's songs with respect. The original EP had just four titles but I have added another obscure Ellington song called 'Merry-Go-Round' recorded by Ray in this same period.
The front line players are Judd Proctor on guitar (a fine player and long time studio session man) and pianist Dick Katz with Peter McGurk on bass. Ray of course is on drums (usually just a snare and bongos).
Ripped in FLAC from re-issue cd with original ep front and back sleeve pictures.
Dick Katz - piano
Judd Proctor - guitar
Peter McGurk - bass
Ray Ellington - drums
01 Things Ain't What They Used to Be
02 Prelude to a Kiss
03 Lady Mac
04 Satin Doll
05 Merry-Go-Round
Label: Pye EP - NEP 24101
Recorded: 1959
Lineage: CD>FLAC
Thanks for this one, Bluebird. Didn't Peter McGurk go on to play with Dudley Moore?
ReplyDeleteJazzjet - bluebird says you are right, Peter McGurk did play with Dud and that He committed suicide by taking an overdose of drugs in 1968. He was only 40.
ReplyDeleteDudley Moore, now there was a talent in more ways than one. Unfortunate his jazz sides are beyond the scope of this blog. Thanks, bluebird, for the Ellington...appreciated.
ReplyDeleteOh this has GOT TO STOP!! Two marvelous examples on one reading, taking me back to the Goon show days. It always seems a pity that so few of Rays magic recording excerpts from the Goon show are available, one time it was rumoured that the BBC were going to issue more, I never found them, and cutting them from my Goon show recordings (169) will only produce poor quality results and of course rather short takes as these were limited in length to somewhat less than even the 78RPM could handle, all part of the program timing, giving the cast just enough time for a "Nip Round the back for a Brandy"
ReplyDeleteHappy days...
Gonzo.
RAY ELLINGTON - ELLINGTON PLAYS ELLINGTON
ReplyDeleteThanks! May I ask what CD this is ripped from? I may actually want to get it.
chu - The cd is called 'That's Nice' by the Ray Ellington Quartet. Available, we believe.
ReplyDeleteI read about judd proctor in a jazz guitar book but here's my first chance to hear him. Thanks
ReplyDeletehttps://cjoint.net/?e9uix3cxgy
ReplyDelete