The Bay Big Band Plays Duke Ellington

Passion Flower

The Bay Big Band Plays Duke Ellington

Featuring Compositions of Duke Ellington, Billy Strayhorn, Johnny Hodges and others

Francis Bay - Conductor

Recorded At The Brussels World's Fair

Produced by Dave Herbert

Product Design by Leon McFadden

Stereophonic Engineering and Artistic Direction by Peter Plum, Elite Musical Productions
Omega OSL 24
1960

The cover photo was taken by Ray Avery. The sculpture, by Dupagne, was located in the Belgian Congo Pavilion during the Brussels World's Fair.

From the back cover: The Bay Big Band salutes to the great American and English big bands at the Brussels World's Fair astounded and impressed all who heard their regular performances at the fair. Francis Bay, the leader and extremely versatile musician and arranger, organized the Bay Big Band in 1954 to become the first regular Radio Dance Band after the end of World War II. The Bay Big Band recently won the highly coveted "Golden Gondola" trophy in a battle of the bands at Venice, Italy. The persuasion section work and fluid jazz improvisation of the soloists are the product of years of rehearsal and development shared by the same group of musicians without the constant changes in sidemen that have plagued our American bands in recent years. The musical rapport between sections of the band and between soloists is amazing. Francis Bay plays trombone, clarinet, alto saxophone and flute with equal ability and his regular programs on the Brussels N.I.R. Radio can be heard weekly on the powerful station throughout England, France, Belgium, and surrounding countries. – Dave Hubert

Take The A Train
Don't Get Around Much Anymore
Solitude
Mainstem
Things Ain't What They Used To Be
Perdido
Do Nothin' Till You Hear From Me
Sophisticated Lady
Jack The Bear
Passion Flower