The Cosmic Scene

The Cosmic Scene is a 1958 album by American pianist, composer and bandleader Duke Ellington. Featuring a nonet rather than his usual big band, the album was credited as "Duke Ellington's Spacemen" and was recorded and released on the Columbia label.^[1] It was reissued by Mosaic Records in 2007.

The Cosmic Scene
Studio album by Duke Ellington
Released	1958
Recorded	April 2 & 3, 1958
Genre	Jazz
Length	36:31
Label	Columbia
Duke Ellington chronology
Duke Ellington at the Bal Masque (1958) The Cosmic Scene (1958) Happy Reunion (1956-58)

Reception

The Allmusic reviewer Michael G. Nastos stated:

Perhaps in many ways a neglected recording in the vast annals of Ellingtonia, fans will certainly welcome this long out of print re-addition to the master's CD discography. It comes highly recommended.^[2]

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[2]

Track listing

:All compositions by Duke Ellington except as indicated

• Recorded at Columbia 30th Street Studio, New York on April 2 (tracks 1, 2 & 9–11) and April 3 (tracks 3–8 & 12), 1958

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Avalon"	Buddy DeSylva Al Jolson Vincent Rose	3:22
2.	"Body and Soul"	Edward Heyman Robert Sour Frank Eyton Johnny Green	4:57
3.	"Bass-Ment"	Ellington	3:03
4.	"Early Autumn"	Ralph Burns Woody Herman	3:10
5.	"Jones"	Ellington Clark Terry	2:55
6.	"Perdido"	Juan Tizol	2:49
7.	"St. Louis Blues"	W. C. Handy	5:06
8.	"Spacemen"	Ellington	2:32
9.	"Midnight Sun"	Sonny Burke Lionel Hampton Johnny Mercer	3:38
10.	"Take the "A" Train"	Billy Strayhorn	4:59
Total length:			36:31

Bonus tracks on CD reissue

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
11.	"Body and Soul" (alternative take)	Heyman Sour Eyton Green	4:46
12.	"Jones" (alternative take)	Ellington Terry	2:35
Total length:			43:52

Personnel

• Duke Ellington – piano
• Clark Terry – trumpet
• Quentin Jackson, Britt Woodman – trombone
• John Sanders – valve trombone
• Jimmy Hamilton – clarinet
• Paul Gonsalves – tenor saxophone
• Jimmy Woode – bass
• Sam Woodyard – drums