The World Of Duke Ellington

by Stanley Dance

"The ultimate in art is self-expression, not escape."-Duke Ellington In this fascinating portrait of one of America's greatest musical legends, longtime friend and jazz historian Stanley Dance recounts the life of the incomparable Duke Ellington in his own words and in the words of the artists who played along with longtime co-composer Billy Strayhorn, saxophonists Johnny Hodges and Ben Webster, trumpeters Cootie Williams and Clark Terry, drummer Sonny Greer, vocalist Alice Babs, and organist Wild Bill Davis, among many others. There are also first-hand accounts of Ellington's world tours, performances in churches and the White House, interviews and public appearances, and a complete discography and chronology. The result is a timeless chronicle of the long and extraordinary career of a music master."The truest and most intimate portrait of the great Ellington that we have."-Whitney Balliett

Genres: Music, Jazz, Nonfiction, Biography

Paperback

First published December 12, 1981

Reviews

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Published in 1970, this book collects interviews (and one press conference) conducted in the 70s with Duke Ellington, Billy Strayhorn, Mercer Ellington, and a pretty hefty chunk of the men who played in Ellington's band. The two Ellingtons and Strayhorn were so thoughtful and able to communicate what they knew about the music, as were many of the sidemen. After a while, the varied stories of all those illustrious musicans became an interesting collage of ambition, creativity, and talent. I was mesmerized hearing the tales of how each of them wandered through various bands and found themselves reaching the promised land of the greatest of them all. There are also a few reviews and a tour diary written by Dance, one of which, concerning the White House celebration of Duke's 70th birthday, left me with the incongruous image of Spiro Agnew playing Ellington tunes on the piano. Needless to say, this book also made me listen to some Ellington!

[Laura Laker]

fascinating insight into the world of Ellington from the eyes of the musicians who worked with him over the years. and into the music itself, what dedication and passion - and skill and style- went into making it.

[Derek · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here's a quote from the introduction to this bk. Stanley Dance is describing Ellington.

"He walks fast when obliged to walk, but doesn't exercise, and professes a fear of 'fresh-air poisoning'".

So great.

[Eric Hines · Rating 3 out of 5]

Captures Duke before he was made of marble. And fairly well. Just a facet of the complex gem that was Ellington, but interesting nonetheless.