In November 1960, “Columbia” label released “Piano in the Background”, album by Duke Ellington. It was recorded May – June 1960, at “Radio Recorders” in Los Angeles.

Personnel:

• Duke Ellington – piano
• Johnny Hodges – alto saxophone
• Russell Procope – alto saxophone, clarinet
• Paul Gonsalves – tenor saxophone
• Jimmy Hamilton – tenor saxophone, clarinet
• Harry Carney – baritone saxophone, clarinet, bass clarinet
• Ray Nance, Willie Cook, Andres Meringuito, Eddy Mullins, Gerald Wilson – trumpet
• Lawrence Brown, Britt Woodman, Booty Wood – trombone
• Juan Tizol – valve trombone
• Aaron Bell – bass
• Sam Woodyard – drums
• Gerald Wilson – arrangements
• W. A. Mathieu (as Bill Mathieu) – arrangements

Track listing:

All tracks by Duke Ellington, except where noted,

1. Happy Go Lucky Local
2. What Am I Here For – Duke Ellington, Frankie Laine
3. Medley: Kinda Dukish / Rockin’ in Rhythm – Duke Ellington, Harry Carney, Irving Mills
4. Perdido – Juan Tizol
5. I’m Beginning to See the Light – Duke Ellington, Don George, Johnny Hodges, Harry James
6. Midriff – Billy Strayhorn
7. It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing) – Duke Ellington, Irving Mills
8. Main Stem
9. Take the ‘A’ Train – Billy Strayhorn