Composed by Clarence Williams and Spencer Williams, arranged by Billy Strayhorn
Transcribed by David Berger as part of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Essentially Ellington series, this Royal Garden Blues chart is from Duke's 1946 band (although the tune is almost as old as recorded jazz itself!)
Lineup on this recording: Shelton Hemphill, Taft Jordan, Cat Anderson, Francis Williams, Harold Baker (t); Ray Nance (t,vl,v); Lawrence Brown, Wilbur De Paris, Claude Jones (tb); Jimmy Hamilton (cl,ts); Russell Procope (cl,as); Johnny Hodges (as); Al Sears (ts); Harry Carney (cl,as,bar); Duke Ellington (p); Fred Guy (g); Oscar Pettiford (sb); Sonny Greer (d,ch); Marion Cox(v).
Also, check out the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra rehearsing and recording the transcription we have.
Other famous versions of this tune:
