We’re still in 1942 as we land on another classic Duke Ellington recording — Main Stem.
The "Main" Event
Let’s spin Duke’s Victor recording from June 26, 1942:
That’s quite a parade of soloists: Rex Stewart, Johnny Hodges, Ray Nance, Barney Bigard, Tricky Sam Nanton, Ben Webster, and Lawrence Brown — all riding tight, deceptively simple riffs. It’s one of those sides where the band’s internal chemistry feels almost unfair.
This particular record had an interesting journey. It was cut close to the deadline imposed by the looming musicians’ strike, and Victor was already stockpiling material to ration during the recording freeze. Main Stem wasn’t released until 1944, but when it finally saw daylight, it became a huge hit!
V-Disc Special
In the meantime, Duke recorded a separate version in 1943 for V‑Disc:
Another terrific performance — this time with Jimmie Hamilton taking the clarinet solo, as Barney Bigard had left the band shortly after the earlier Victor session.
Classic, But Not a Standard
Duke and the band kept Main Stem in regular rotation throughout the 1940s, but other bands didn’t pick up on it. The recording ban certainly didn’t help, but more likely, it’s because this is a riff piece built to showcase soloists — and what other band could possibly roll out a lineup like this? Spoiler: none.
Rex Riffs Abroad
We do have one Ellington‑adjacent version, though: a 1948 Danish recording featuring Rex Stewart backed by French pianist Claude Bolling:
That’s pretty cool — a little continental detour with Rex still sounding unmistakably Rex.
A Return Visit
I think the only time Duke returned to Main Stem in the studio was in 1960 for his Piano in the Background album on Columbia:
It’s like meeting an old friend you haven’t seen in years — the same, but different, familiar yet reframed.
Warehouse Whispers
I feel Main Stem was unintentionally helped by the recording ban. The delayed release reduced competition, and we ended up with a separate V‑Disc version.
You just never know!
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