3 disc set of the recordings the Orchestra made in the early 40's when bassist Jimmy Blanton and tenor saxophonist Ben Webster were in the band. Many of Ellington and Strayhorn's greatest compositions were heard first on these recordings: Ko-Ko, Blue Serge, Jack The Bear, Harlem Air Shaft, Concerto For Cootie, Cottontail, Sepia Panorama, Warm Valley, Main Stem, Johnny Come Lately, Raincheck, Chelsea Bridge, Perdido, My Little Brown Book, I Got It Bad, Bojangles (A Portait of Bill Robinson), I Don't Know What Kind Of Blues I Got. 66 compositions in all.