Duke Ellington feat. Kay Davis: On A Turquoise Cloud and Frankie and Johnny

Symphony in Swing. Pre-recorded on Feb 16 and filmed on Feb 18,1949. Kay Davis (vocal), Lawrence Brown (tromb.), Ray Nance (viol.) and Harry Carney (bass clarinet) perform On a Turquoise Cloud at the beginning of this clip. In Frankie and Johnny, Tyree Glenn plays plunger trombone. Notice Nance waving his arms in the trumpet section at the end - known as Floorshow, he sang and played violin and trumpet in Ellington's band.
Source:
Klaus Stratemann's Duke Ellington Day by Day and Film by Film

[@Keluio]

Still here, still watching. I remember my grandmother loved this song, I’m glad I get to play bass clarinet nowadays

[@davielove11]

Thanks posting ....never heard of Kay davis

[@janedvinsson]

I have read about her in Ellingtons biography, but never really listened to her that closely. My first thought is the sound Alice Babs' ( she sang on the Sacred Concerts ) have in her voice is so much alike Kay Davis' sound, can't help to wonder if Alice has "copied" her sound. I have listened mostly to the albums of later days with Ellington, Far East Suite, And His Mother Called Him Bill, The Great Paris Concert; I have about 17 LPs with Duke Ellington ...so and so... I looked to find where Kay sings with words and found this one, she sings " Lush Life " composed by Billy Strayhorn, and!! Billy jumps in and takes/plays the piano on this one. Kay is a very competent singer. Here is the one I found with Lush Life ( there is a bit presentation by Duke, but you can jump in a bit ) : ruclips.net/video/GqTDm34vyj0/видео.html

[@audiosympatico444]

turns black and white into technicolor--so rich and textured.

[@bminorscales]

The "Turquoise Cloud" performance also includes Jimmy Hamilton on clarinet.

[@waldolydecker8118]

Lawrence Brown on trombone is even more prominently featured.

[@ustwoalberts]

every kind of beauty .

[@johnwhitehead3360]

Magnificent

[@Quantestorienellamusica]

Adoro questo pezzoooooo! Il trombone più dolce del mondo❤

[@ReminiscinginTempo]

Perché, dell'incantevole voce di Kay Davis che si amalgama perfettamente con gli altri strumenti ne vogliamo parlare? :)

[@Quantestorienellamusica]

Ma certo, a 1:41 comincia l'apoteosi! Avevo anche la trascrizione di questa armonizzazione, la devo trovare, anche questo potrebbe essere un argomento😃

[@agostinomarzoli4705]

@@Quantestorienellamusica Certo! Anch'io ho in mente da tempo di scrivere qualcosa a proposito della voce usata come strumento musicale nei brani di Ellington!

[@JohnstonClyde]

Would you happen to have the rest of this short? The other pieces are Take The A Train, Suddenly It Jumped and Knock Me A Kiss.

[@capricorniaproject3020]

Ellington seems to have put on a little weight - or is it a change in the aspect of the image?
The voicing of trombone, clarinet and voice is gorgeous.

[@QuentinBryar]

Great film. Shame about the aspect ratio.

[@Twentythousandlps]

Ellington had three sorts of vocalists - black, brown and beige. No question which Kay Davis was.

[@waldolydecker8118]

who gives a fugg which "kind" she was? your momma?

[@marcellomentasimonsennico5670]

Iwould rather to watch the great Lawrence Brown playing than those useless clouds!

[@bobboscarato1313]

I agree with you!

[@waldolydecker8118]

so you don't Scorsese directed this one?

[@MadeleineBettina]

Is Kay Davis also the soloist on "Lady of the Lavender Mist"?

[@marcellomentasimonsennico5670]

There is no female vocal on "Lady of the Lavender Mist"