Listening (Ellington, "Old Man" Blues (1930)

This up tempo piece introduces the use of the saxophone as an instrument in the jazz band. It also adds new sounds such as muted cornets and the use of flutter tonguing. I thought that this composition had many interesting ideas in the structure and performance. This is truly a piece that you can only learn by having a familiarity of jazz, because of the extensive improv. I liked how there would always be a solo while there was a backing syncopation. Additionally, the use of the cornet to add a more "raunchy" sound. It makes it seem like the cornets are almost yelling at you rather than serenading your ears.