by Scott Yanow
A most unusual Duke Ellington record, two selections feature nine symphonic percussionists on tympani, vibes, marimbas and xylophones. Dizzy Gillespie makes a historic appearance with Ellington's orchestra on &U.M.M.G.& (a meeting that should have been repeated often but sadly never was), Jimmy Rushing (Count Basie's former vocalist) sings &Hello Little Girl& and both Johnny Hodges (&All of Me&) and Paul Gonsalves (&Ready Go!&) have chances to blow. This Columbia release was reissued in 1997 as a Mobile Fidelity audiophile CD.