your favorite 3 Duke Ellington albums?

It's not "technically" Duke... but since you already like "Side by Side", you should hear "Johnny Hodges with Billy Strayhorn's Orchestra.  It's one of my all-time favorites regardless of genre.  I see where it is available on a 2013 SACD release.  That should really be special!

Johnny Hodges and Strayhorn also one of my favorites.
If you haven't heard the Hodges recording "Everybody Knows", you
may want to check it out.  Same genre.  The orchestra, these
guys were pros, all on the same wavelength.  Simply wonderful music.

@shoff Great record....just streamed it through my Innuos, great record. on the purchase list now.

So many great Duke records to choose from!  

"His Mother Called Him Bill".  Wonderful tribute to Billy Strayhorn and for fans of Hodges the tune "Blood Count"' is a must listen.

Anyone not familiar with his extended works should check out:
"Far East Suite" and "Black, Brown and Beige" (1958).  Fabulous.

For a historical perspective "Mrs. Clinkscales to the Cotton Club" (20s) is great.

Correction:

”And His Mother Called Him Bill”