The third album by this miracle band of working professionals, whose two albums have successively ranked high on the U.S. and North American charts since their shocking debut, is a collection of the late, great Duke Ellington’s works.

Their debut album, the aptly-named Sir Duke and their second album Don’t Stop The Carnival reached #34 and #43 on the U.S. (Jazz Week) chart and #7 and #10 on the North American (Roots Music Report) chart, respectively. The Mercer Hassy Orchestra, a big band of working people and students in Sapporo, Japan, was the only Japanese band to be selected for the North American Jazz Albums Chart (Jazz Category) in 2022.

The next release to the world will be a collection of works by Duke Ellington, whose death will mark a century since his first recording in 1924. The original arrangements and exquisite mixing by Mercer Hassy here on Duke’s Place, showcase a leader who reveres Ellington as a musical god, where the tunes intertwine to create a one-of-a-kind interpretation of Ellington that is fun, terrific, musically deep and wide-ranging, and a must-hear!

1. Daybreak Express
2. Satin Doll
3. Don’t Get Around Much Anymore
4. U.M.M.G.
5. In A Sentimental Mood
6. Hot And Bothered
7. Bakiff
8. Passion Flower
9. Apes And Peacocks / Queen’s Suite
10. Prelude To A Kiss / Solitude
11. Duke’s Place
12. Happy Go Lucky Local

This deliciously ambient, delightfully hued new recording opens on the fervently atmospheric Daybreak Express and the funkily grooved Satin Doll and then brings us the playfully-hued Don’t Get Around Much Anymore, the drum-led swing that drives U.M.M.G. and then we get both the deep yearn within In A Sentimental Mood and the upbeat and skittish Hot And Bothered.

Along next is the veritably tribal Bakiff and the dutifully languishing Passion Flower and they are in turn backed seamlessly by the slap bass skewed, guitar-rocking, percussion soaring Apes And Peacocks / Queen’s Suite, the sweeping Prelude To A Kiss / Solitude, the album rounding out on another drum-led, horn-flavored track within the joyous Duke’s Place, the most wondrous musical proceedings coming to a close on the train-imbibed rhythms that drive Happy Go Lucky Local.