Part 2 begins with Louie Bellson’s Skin Deep, which is a show-case for Sam Woodyard during the tour. Then the orchestra theme follows with Duke himself seated at the piano. The long medley, inevitable at a concert like this, follows, but without Ray Nance’s contribution, since he was sent back to the U.S. on 13th September when the band played in Amman, Jordan He was temporarily replaced by Patrick Blake in the trumpet section.
Instead, we get quite a treat, when bassist Ernie Shepard is the feautured vocalist on Take The A Train and One More Once with Billy Strayhorn at the piano. This was preceeded by Diminuendo In Blue and the Wailing Interval with plenty of opportunities for Paul Gonsalves. Ernie Shepard who didn’t stay long with the band, died less then half a year after this event.
To summarise, in part 2 of the concert, this is what is played:
Skin Deep, Take The A Train, Medley: Diminuendo In Blue and The Wailing Interval, Take The A Train, One More Once and Theme
The concert is available in the Goodies Room
Authors: Ulf Lundin and Anders Asplund
Concert and music comments by by Anders Asplund