In April 1957, “Columbia” label released “Such Sweet Thunder”, album by Duke Ellington. It was recorded August 1956 – March 1957, and was produced by Irving Townsend. The album is a twelve-part suite based on the work of William Shakespeare.

Personnel:

• Duke Ellington – piano
• Johnny Hodges – alto saxophone
• Paul Gonsalves – tenor saxophone
• Jimmy Hamilton – clarinet, tenor saxophone
• Russell Procope – clarinet, alto saxophone
• Harry Carney – bass clarinet, baritone saxophone
• Cat Anderson – trumpet
• Clark Terry – trumpet
• Ray Nance – trumpet
• Willie Cook – trumpet
• Quentin Jackson – trombone
• John Sanders – trombone
• Britt Woodman – trombone
• Jimmy Woode – bass
• Sam Woodyard – drums
• Billy Strayhorn – orchestration
• Howard Fritzson – art direction
• Randall Martin – design
• Don Hunstein – photography
• Irving Townsend – liner notes

Track listing:

All tracks by Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn, except where noted.

1. Such Sweet Thunder – Cleo
2. Sonnet for Caesar
3. Sonnet to Hank Cinq
4. Lady Mac
5. Sonnet in Search of a Moor
6. The Telecasters
7. Up and Down, Up and Down (I Will Lead Them Up and Down) – Puck
8. Sonnet for Sister Kate
9. The Star-Crossed Lovers
10. Madness in Great Ones – Hamlet
11. Half the Fun
12. Circle of Fourths