The New Don Ellis Band Goes Underground

The New Don Ellis Band Goes Underground is an album by trumpeter/bandleader Don Ellis recorded in 1969 and released on the Columbia label.

Reception

Scott Yanow of Allmusic says the album is "one of trumpeter Don Ellis' lesser efforts". On All About Jazz, Jim Santella said "this big band album from Don Ellis proved inspirational. It gave a contemporary quality to big band music – the kind of force that influenced college and university stage bands around the world. Vocals were added, and Ellis emphasized a smooth, pop quality to his arrangements. Melodies were easy to follow, and the songs caught all the emotion that he pumped in so generously. Nevertheless, the album contains the same kind of musical virtuosity that Ellis had demonstrated on earlier albums".

Track listing

All compositions by Don Ellis except as indicated

"House in the Country" (Al Kooper) – 2:48

"Don't Leave Me" (Harry Nilsson) – 3:40

"Higher" (Sly Stone) – 3:19

"Bulgarian Bulge" (Traditional) – 3:03

"Eli's Comin'" (Laura Nyro) – 4:08

"Acoustical Lass" – 2:32

"Good Feelin'" – 6:14

"Send My Baby Back" (Lonnie Hewitt, Ernest Marbray) – 3:02

"Love for Rent" (Fred Selden) – 4:06

"It's Your Thing" (Ronald Isley, O'Kelly Isley, Jr., Rudolph Isley) – 2:54

"Ferris Wheel" – 3:46

"Black Baby" (Don Ellis, Patti Allen) – 3:29

Personnel

Don Ellis – trumpet, flugelhorn, arranger

Patti Allen – vocals

John Klemmer, Hadley Caliman – tenor saxophone, flute

Mike Altschul – clarinet, flute, baritone saxophone

Fred Seldon – clarinet, flute, alto saxophone, soprano saxophone

Lonnie Shetter – clarinet, flute, oboe, alto saxophone, soprano saxophone

Sam Falzone – clarinet, flute, tenor saxophone

Doug Bixby – tuba

Stuart Blumberg, John Rosenberg, Glenn Stuart, Jack Coan – trumpet, flugelhorn

Jock Ellis, Glenn Ferris – trombone

Dana Hughes – bass trombone

Jay Graydon – guitar

Peter Robinson – piano, electric piano

Jo Julian, Carol Kaye – bass

Ralph Humphrey, Rick Quintinal – percussion, drums, vibraphone

Lee Pastora – percussion, bongos, congas

References

Don Ellis albums

1969 albums

Albums produced by Al Kooper

Columbia Records albums