A Drum Is A Woman

Vinyl LP pressing. Reissue, originally released in 1957. A Drum Is A Woman is a musical allegory by American pianist, composer, and bandleader Duke Ellington and his long-time musical collaborator Billy Strayhorn. It tells the story of Madam Zajj, the personification of African rhythm, and Carribee Joe, who has his roots firmly in the jungle with his drums. Zajj travels out into the world seeking fame and sophistication and melds with the influences of cultures she weaves through the story, which gives a brief history of the rise of jazz and bebop. Originally recorded for the Columbia label in 1956, it was produced for television on the US Steel Hour on May 8, 1957.

Part 1
A1 A Drum Is A Woman
A2 Rhythm Pum Te Dum
A3 What Else Can You Do With A Drum
Part 2
A4 New Orleans
A5 Hey, Buddy Bolden
A6 Carribee Joe
A7 Congo Square
Part 3
B1 A Drum Is A Woman (Part 2)
B2 You Better Know It
B3 Madam ZajjDuke Ellington
B4 Ballet Of The Flying Saucers
Part 4
B5 Zajj's Dream
B6 Rhumbop
B7 Carribee Joe (Part 2)
B8 Finale