In 1999, Niels-Henning rsted Pedersen and Mulgrew Miller came together in a unique and unlikely pairing to pay tribute to Duke Ellington on the 100th anniversary of his birth and to celebrate his partnership with bassist Jimmy Blanton. But the original recordings were never released. For the first time ever, more than 20 years after its recording, this lost treasure is finally made available.
Niels-Henning rsted Pedersen is widely celebrated as one of the greatest to ever grace the upright bass and had a long and fruitful career among the greats of jazz. He is arguably jazz's most virtuosic bassist, and his long career saw collaborations with legends like Oscar Peterson, Kenny Drew, Michel Petrucciani, Tania Maria, Philippe Catherine and Joe Pass. In the duo with Miller in particular, Niels-Henning's unique sense of harmony and his impeccable timing stand out. Meanwhile, Mulgrew Miller, one of the most accomplished jazz pianists of the 80s and 90s delivers Ellington's themes with grace and admiration. His playing is marked by versatility, skilful soloing and tasteful restraint. With NHP on bass and Miller on piano, the talents of both are given plenty of space to explore Ellington's themes and to form a musical dynamic that rivals that of Ellington and Blanton.