Indigo and Other Shades of Blues

This post’s title: Indigo and Other Shades of Blues is my attempt to achieve an unusual contextual juxtaposition.

There is a long story and associated history that describe “why the blues are called the blues.” I previously thought that “the blues” had some connection to the color, blue. I wondered why the blues are not called “the reds” or some other color-reference. During my research for this post concerning Duke Ellington’s song, “Mood Indigo,” I discovered my misconception of what the color, indigo-blue actually is. I found that there are several different colors that rightfully claim to be Indigo.

My arrangement of Mood Indigo features an introductory and final chorus that are intended to approximate (OK, imitate…) Duke Ellington’s 1933 arrangement. Recurrent piano noodling and rhythmic chords are Synthogy Ivory’s Italian Grand. Both choruses feature an instrumental trio with two muted trombones and accompanying saxophone (and, sometime alto/bass clarinet). This particular voicing with the trombones higher in pitch than the saxophone, is characteristic of several Ellington arrangements. The chorus trombones, sax, and acoustic bass instruments are all produced by instruments from the Garritan Jazz And Big Band Sound Library. A Garritan alto clarinet verse follows the introductory chorus. The next verse features Yamaha MU100R VL (modeled) trumpet and trombone. The final chorus uses the same instruments as the initial chorus.

I have played many other Ellington tunes over the years. Hopefully this will be the first of a successions of recordings of the other Ellington tunes I love.