Provides jazz scholars, specialists, and both novice and experienced listeners with a detailed, critical commentary on this jazz master's recordings from 1924 to 1974. The guide begins with a brief overview of the artist and the complexity and unending creativity of his music. The chapters follow the chronological sequence covering identifiable stages in output and list essential Ellingtonia. The appendixes include a bibliography, a comprehensive discography listing both LPs and CDs, a list of useful addresses, and a list of Ellington musicians and the date of their membership in the band.