The Mooche

Duke Ellington

About The Mooche

"The Mooche" is an American jazz song, composed in 1928 by Duke Ellington and Irving Mills. The song is in the so-called "jungle style" and includes the clarinet and muted trumpet typical of Ellington's work. James "Bubber" Miley was among the musicians that recorded the original version of the song. The song is played in C minor. In 1933 Ellington explained that the title referred to 'a certain lazy gait peculiar to some of the folk of Harlem'.


Year:
2008
3:17
132 

Lyrics currently unavailable…


Duke Ellington

Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington (April 29, 1899 – May 24, 1974) was an American composer, pianist, and big-band leader. Ellington wrote over 1,000 compositions. In the opinion of Bob Blumenthal of The Boston Globe, "[i]n the century since his birth, there has been no greater composer, American or otherwise, than Edward Kennedy Ellington." A major figure in the history of jazz, Ellington's music stretched into various other genres, including blues, gospel, film scores, popular, and classical. His career spanned more than 50 years and included leading his orchestra, composing an inexhaustible songbook, scoring for movies, composing stage musicals, and world tours. Several of his instrumental works were adapted into songs that became standards. Due to his invent… more »

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10 facts about this song

Song Creation
"The Mooche" was composed by Duke Ellington, one of the most influential figures in jazz, and his collaborator Irving Mills in 1928.
Song Style
The song is considered a part of the "Jungle style" which was a characteristic of the Duke Ellington Orchestra during their early years at the Cotton Club in Harlem.
Musical Elements
"The Mooche" is especially notable for its use of muted brass instruments, giving it a very distinctive sound, considered exotic at the time.
Song Inspiration
The song is named after a dance step which was popular during 1920s.
Recordings and Performances
Duke Ellington performed "The Mooche" numerous times over the years, often varying the arrangement, with several recorded versions existing.
Legacy
The song is considered a jazz standard and has been covered by many artists and bands over the decades.
Notable Uses
"The Mooche" is also known for its inclusivity in the film soundtrack of Francis Ford Coppola’s 'The Cotton Club.'
Influences
The piece is influenced by the New Orleans polyphonic improvisation tradition and has characteristics of both a 12-bar and an 8-bar blues structure.
Unique Characteristics
"The Mooche" is one of the earliest jazz compositions to use the harmonic progression that later became known in jazz harmony as the 'backdoor progression.'
Cultural Impact
Its place in jazz history and its unique 'jungle' sound has made the song an enduring piece, continuing to be performed and recorded well into the 21st century.

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