Money Jungle

Presented here is the complete original album Money Jungle (United

Artists UAS 15017), which was the only trio collaboration of Duke

Ellington with Charles Mingus and Max Roach. Both youngsters

greatly admired Duke. Ellington himself briefly featured Roach (in 1950)

and Mingus (in 1953) in his band, and expressed on multiple occasions

his appreciation for Mingus' compositions. Most of the repertoire here was

especially composed for the date, while the only old tunes they recorded

were "Warm Valley," "Caravan," and "Solitude."

There are a number of reasons why Money Jungle is considered a unique

jazz recording. First of all, the album stands out for its superb musical

quality. It also marks a very rare trio session in the otherwise prolific

discography of Duke Ellington. The album is best known, however, for

being Duke's only true recorded collaboration with two much younger

jazz geniuses: Charles Mingus and Max Roach.

DUKE ELLINGTON, piano

CHARLES MINGUS, bass

MAX ROACH, drums

Sound Makers Studios, New York City, Monday,

September 17, 1962.

Original recordings produced by Alan Douglas.