In April 1972 Prudente joined the Duke Ellington band as a trombone player. He played on a number of Ellington recordings including "Duke Ellington's Third Sacred Concert - The Majesty Of God", recorded in Westminster Abbey in 1973. He played on three songs on the "Ellington Suites", recorded between 1959 and 1972, and released in 1987. He also played on "Mendoza" from the album "Up In Duke's Workshop", recorded in 1972 and released in 1992. In 1973 he played on "Duke Ellington in Sweden". 