Julie Saury - Duke and Billy's New Colors (2023)

Duke and Billy’s New Colors is a musical fresco with shimmering colors revealing the beauty of the works of Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn revisited like never before by Julie Saury on drums, Bruno Rousselet on double bass, Frédéric Couderc on flute, saxophone and various wind instruments, Sébastien Giniaux on guitar and cello and on some tracks, as guest, Claude Égéa on trumpet.

Julie Saury, Bruno Rousselet and Frédéric Couderc, distinguished performers of Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn in Laurent Mignard Duke Orchestra for 20 years, have gathered to adorn their melodies of unexpected colors and make them travel to new lands.
“Duke and Billy’s New Colors” is a musical journey inviting the listener to rediscover legendary melodies sublimated by unexpected arrangements.

The artists are joined by Sébastien Giniaux on guitar and cello, but also by Claude Égéa on trumpet. They embark on a daring musical exploration with percussions, flutes of the world, the English horn, the bass clarinet or the bass saxophone that bring new textures to timeless compositions. Here is another look at the music of the Ellingtonian repertoire, full of love and gratitude to the Duke and his partner Billy.

Among the tracks that make up the album, “Prelude To a Kiss” is a fast and rhythmic version of the original ballad, carried by the sound of a classical flute.
Interpreted with a Pivana (traditional Corsican flute made in a goat’s horn), the arrangement proposed in “Satin Doll” is inspired by Maloya (Reunion Island).

Composed by Billy Strayhorn, “Johnny Come Lately” is originally a swing theme (also titled Stomp). The version of this album is distinguished by a quick talk followed by a sequence of breathtaking improvisations.
We approach the Garden of Eden and its exuberant flora that we observe on the cover: “Heaven” (from the 2nd Sacred Concert of Ellington) is arranged in an aesthetic of chamber music, offering large spaces for the cello and the English horn supported by the double bass.
The poetic “All To Soon” offers an aerial atmosphere, interpreted by the alto flute and transcended by the arrangement of Bruno Rousselet on the double bass.
Head to the north of India with “In a Sentimental Mood” where the subtle arrangements of the Bansuri flute converse in chorus with guitar and trumpet. You have now understood that this is a true adventure, a journey around the world far from distorting the first works, an approach that is unexpected and respectful, original and spontaneous.
Three pieces are also focused on improvisation: in “Half the Fun” it’s the drums that are highlighted, from the pattern created by Sam Woodyard, in “It Don’t Mean a Thing” the double bass is at the center of improvisation and in “C Jam Blues“, the guitar is at the heart of the speech.
“Oclupaca” (title from the Latin American Suite of 1968) is led by the bass clarinet. On this throbbing line, the cello exposes the melody before welcoming the double bass. With the presence of some bird sounds, the title makes a nod to Bluebird of Delhi, from the Far East Suite of 1966.
In 1959, Duke Ellington created the “Queen Suite” in honour of Queen Elizabeth II, including the title « Single Petal of a Rose ». In this sweet melody, the imposing bass saxophone tries to pass itself off as a rose petal, evoking the beauty of this delicate flower.
Finally, “Come Sunday“, which comes from Black Brown and Beige and the 1st Sacred Concert, gently invites you to join the church on Sunday morning.

This new musical exploration allows us to rediscover the work of Duke and his partner Billy, while preserving its essence and timeless beauty.
“Duke and Billy’s New Colors” is an album of incredible richness where each piece is a vibrant musical array of colors and emotions.
“Duke and Billy’s New Colors” is also the first publication of the “Ellington Consequences” collection initiated and directed by Laurent Mignard. “Ellington Consequences” is an initiative that aims to highlight the soloists of the Duke Orchestra in their creative projects or recreate from the repertoire of Duke Ellington.