My sense about Ellington is that his composition and arranging efforts were actually primarily focused on his sidemen. He stated on several occasions that his output was created especically to the individual strengths (sound and improvisational styles) of his soloing musicians, especially Harry Carney, Bubba Miley (in the very early days), Cat Anderson and his unique trombone choir comprised of Tizol, Jackson and Woodman. The only musicians he gave free reign and didn't arrange for were rhythm players who were on a reasonably tight string supporting the soloists in the band. As the years grind by I believe Ellington continues to evolve into the definitive musician/creater of a great "classical" musical art unique to American civilization. I believe few of us have heard the complete catalog of reportedly over 2500 compositions he left as a legacy. I don't believe a complete collection exists in any one place (or even in several locations) in the form of manuscripts or recordings. If not this is surely a worthwhile task to be undertaken. Bernie Gregoire Hingham, MA