Anthony Brown’s Asian American Orchestra

Far East Suite

Released 1999

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1. A Tourist Point of View
2. Bluebird of Delhi (Myhna)
3. Isfahan
4. Depk
5. Mount Harissa (Prelude)
6. Mount Harissa
7. Blue Pepper
8. Agra
9. Amad
10. Ad Lib on Nippon

The Duke Ellington Orchestra embarked on a US State Department tour of the Middle East and Asia in September 1963. After several successful weeks of performance engagements, ambassadorial appearances and cultural exchange activities in Syria, Jordan, Afghanistan, India, Sri Lanka, Iran, Iraq, and Turkey, the tour was unfortunately canceled following the assassination of President Kennedy. Ellington returned to Asia the next year when the Orchestra was invited to tour Japan. In 1966, the Duke Ellington Orchestra recorded the Far East Suite, a multicultural musical portrait by Ellington and collaborator Billy Strayhorn inspired by the people and countries who had welcomed them on their travels.

In homage to the musical legacy and humanitarian achievements of Duke Ellington, I chose to commemorate his centennial with a new interpretation of the Far East Suite, blending the sounds of the jazz orchestra with musical instruments and concepts from Iran, Japan, and China. This music is performed in the spirit of the original Ellington Orchestra, featuring arrangements and contributions created through collaboration among the members of the Asian American Orchestra.

—Anthony Brown, Ph.D.