Harold Ashby was a member of the Duke Ellington Orchestra from the late 1960s up to Ellington's death. Two recordings, the 70th Brithday Concert and New Orleans Suite, feature Harold Ashby as soloist on both saxophone and flute complement this CD nicely. The influence of Ben Webster, mentor and friend of Ashby, is obvious, but within this tradition Harold Ashby was more than a copyist. "Plays Ellington" may well have been one of Harld Ashby's last recordings, made around the time of the Ellington centenial. Of the many tributes recorded around that time this is one that stands out. Harold Ashby's love and commitment to the music of Duke Ellington is obvious, in a sense we are listening to  Ashby's continuing reflection of what he experienced when part of the Ellington Orchestra. Good arrangements, and in Lloyd Mayers a musician with emphaty for the music of Ellington, as well as the inclusion of a couple of lesser known Ellington pieces and original compositions also give the recording its own identity. In all, a CD that comes highly recommended.
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