Reddit reviews Volume 2: From the Cotton Club to Sweden

The dopest early collection of Ellington, Mrs. Clinkscales to the Cotton Club, is currently out of print and is stupid expensive on Amazon. However, PM me and I'll share the mp3s with you in googledrive. I also have a mix of my 12 favorite songs if you just want to hear the cream of the crop.

That collection is I think all of his recordings from 1924-1929, featuring all his work with the great Bubber Miley, his first great soloist. Also, it is remastered by the legendary John RT Davies, so you know you're getting the best sound quality.

After that, covering 1929-1940, is a collection called [Vol. 2: The Cotton Club to Sweden] (https://www.amazon.com/Dukes-Middle-Years-1926-1929/dp/B000TWI81C/ref=sr_1_fkmrnull_1). It's not complete, but it's a 4-CD compilation from the 30s.

Another collection that is highly revered is the Blanton-Webster Band ca. 1940-42. Many consider this his greatest band. For me personally, I prefer the 1920s Bubber Miley band.

Honestly the Ken Burns Jazz collection is probably a decent overview of his entire career.