The DUKE ELLINGTON Orchestra which performed the eagerly-awaited second Carnegie Hall concert on Dec. 11th, 1943 was a band which consisted both of famous old alumni and exciting new talent.Because of the recording ban during World War II, doing live concerts became vital to maintain both the band's popularity and source of income. Add to this the fact that Carnegie Hall was the most prestigious venue of them all and it's easy to understand why the Ellington Orchestra was determined to play its best that evening, performing old standards and Ellington favourites. Among the many highlights from this marvellous concert are excerpts from Black, Brown And Beige and the first-everperformance of New World A-Coming. With HAROLD BAKER, REX STEWART, RAY NANCE, LAWRENCE BROWN, JOE NANTON, JIMMY HAMILTON, JOHNNY HODGES, SKIPPY WILLIAMS, HARRY CARNEY, FRED GUY, ALVIN RAGLIN, SONNY GREER, AL HIBBLER. 2 CDS OF THE ELLINGTON ORCHESTRA AT THE HEIGHT OF THEIR POWERS.