Duke Ellington: His Life in Jazz with 21 Activities (Volume 27)

For Kids

by Stephanie Stein Crease

Duke Ellington, one of the most influential figures in American music, comes alive in this comprehensive biography with engaging activities. Ellington was an accomplished and influential jazz pianist, composer, band leader, and cultural diplomat. Activities include creating a ragtime rhythm, making a washtub bass, writing song lyrics, thinking like an arranger, and learning to dance the Lindy Hop. It explores Ellington’s life and career along with many topics related to African American history, including the Harlem Renaissance. Kids will learn about the musical evolution of jazz that coincided with Ellington’s long life from ragtime through the big band era on up to the 1970s. Kids learn how music technology has changed over the years from piano rolls to record albums through CDs, television, and portable music devices. The extensive resources include a time line, glossary, list of Ellington’s greatest recordings, related books, Web sites, and DVDs for further study.

140 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Aurora · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm so glad I took this reading journey into the early days of Jazz with Duke. it gave me an appreciation for dreams and never letting them die. Each new day is a gift to forgive youeself try something new, begin again, and learn.

[Travis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Biographies can have a tough life. Their charms are often lost on young readers who are more focused on the latest hyped-up fiction or eye-catching nonfiction titles. I can see why this is the case - biographies can come across as being more utilitarian than entertaining. Duke Ellington: His Life in Jazz tries its best to provide the facts in ways that will appeal to young readers. Duke Ellington… is an unquestionably well crafted title. Text that is detailed and accessible, images that are large and crystal clear, and an interactive twist make this title stand out.

With over 2,000 compositions and numerous musical achievements, Ellington’s body of work was immense. Author Stephanie Stein Crease treats the musician’s life and career with obvious admiration. From his early days of playing piano at parties to the formation and growth of his renowned jazz orchestra, Ellington’s story is presented in a clear, conversational tone that adds to the overall readability. A time line and a multitude of sidebars help to add context.

When I first saw this book, the thing that stuck with me was the “with 21 activities” in the title. I wondered how well this would work. The verdict? Not too shabby. The various, step-by-step Ellington-related activities range from the just for fun (make a concert poster) to more in depth (writing your own blues melody). This mix was a good choice - it allows a wide variety of readers to take part if they like. Musical talent is not required.

While it’s likely that only the most interested of young readers will read this title cover to cover, Duke Ellington… will also ably serve students who are looking for facts or working on a biography of the man. If you’re looking for an update in your Ellington bio section, this will make an excellent choice.

[Betsy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm naturally suspicious around children's informational books that seem deemed strictly for educational purposes. And any book that contains the words "with 21 Activities" is going to raise my alarum bells right from the start. I start thinking to myself, "What, the life of Duke Ellington is so dull that you had to pep it up with 'activities' to make it palatable to teachers?" Because, honestly, any book that so prominently displays its educational components is appealing not to youngsters but to the teachers who will be assigning said book. As it happens, Duke Ellington really was an almost too calm, sane person to write a biography about. Sure, he was at the forefront of the jazz movement and he is remembered has a heckuva composer in his own right. However, his life wasn't filled with drug overdoses, drunken fights, fifty ex-wives, or anything particularly heady or exploitative. So setting his life within the context of his time, author Stephanie Stein Crease gives the man his due, throws in some goofy activities on the side, and the result is a book that surpasses its initial educational trappings. While it might be up for debate whether any child would read this title for pleasure rather than for an assignment, it's still going to give them a bit of insight into a man, his life, and the world in which he operated/conquered.

He was born Edward Kennedy Ellington, a smart, baseball-loving kid from D.C. He wasn't even into jazz or ragtime until at 14, when he got caught up in the popular music scene. Suddenly those piano lessons he took as a kid didn't seem so lame after all. Applying himself, Duke (as he was now known for his snappy dress and style) learned from whatever great artist he happened to run across. He learned how to write music, play the piano, and (eventually) how to organize and run a band of his own. Over decades, Duke Ellington perfected his craft and found the best possible talents to join his incredible orchestra. A list of resources is included in the back of this book for further reading and information.

Since we're dealing with children's literature here, Crease probably had to tame down some of the bawdier aspects of life during the jazz age. Heck the origins of the word "jazz" wouldn't be proper fare for the under 15 set anyway. Still, making the era utterly sexless wouldn't be right either, so you get hints of it here and there. One of Duke's first big hits composed as a teenager was "What You Gonna Do When the Bed Breaks Down?" (a slow song, appropriately enough). There are a lot of facts here people probably wouldn't know about Duke's life too. For example, one of Duke's radio series was sponsored by the U.S. Treasury Department. This came in handy later on when he needed buses for touring during WWII (not an easy thing to get at that time).

Crease examines the man's life from birth on up. Duke was a middle class kid from a supportive family and community. He started young, got big young, and stayed big even in the post-jazz era when rock and roll started to dominate. The author then comes to several interesting suppositions, most of which I agreed with, some that I found questionable. For example, I don't know that I'd agree that the terms vaudeville and minstrel shows are unfamiliar "to many people" today. I feel as if most people know what they mean, if they've never seen them firsthand.

Crease also has a tendency to try to relate situations and moments in the past in contemporary terms. That's a risky business right there, since you're basically placing your historical non-fiction title in very contemporary (and easily dated) terms. So when she says that the battle of the bands was "the forerunner of American Idol or TV talent contests" that's going to help a couple kids now. In the future, however, children who check this book out will read that line in the same way "the forerunner of American Bandstand" would read to kids now. It's not an insurmountable problem (and American Idol is actually invoked more than once), but it can be a little distracting.

Of course, it's a visually arresting book, no question. Long and thin, this sturdy paperback is filled with photographs, sidebars, cutaways, and images. There are separate boxes that give some background to the world surrounding Ellington during his formative years. For example, there's a nice section about that newfangled object the piano, described here as "the heart of the home and ... the family's entertainment center." Altogether, the design is superb, working to suck the reader into Duke's story and the story of the jazz age as well.

And then there are the 21 activities, as advertised on the cover. A lot of them involve designing album jackets or sheet music covers or concert posters, but others require a bit more creativity. There's an activity based on writing lyrics to orchestral Ellington tunes that would be a pretty smart use of a creative kid's time. Suggestions of various Ellington tunes (and which CDs you can find to get them) are included as well. Mind you, the activities do get a little wacky once in a while. For example, there's actually a recipe in here on how to "Make Corn Bread for a Rent Party". I say it's a little wacky, but the recipe actually looks pretty delicious. Wouldn't mind trying that one out sometime myself. Other unconventional activities include how to "Make Costumes for a Floor Show" (a lotta feathers and top hats are involved), "Dancing Rope Trick," and "Host a Jam Session".

Though I found little problems here and there, as a whole I think Duke Ellington is a strong title. Will kids read it for fun? Some might. Maybe. Perhaps. And those who are assigned a biography to do might find themselves interested in the activities and photographs that pepper the pages. It's certainly a boon to teachers who are desperately searching for projects to do with kids assigned to study up on the Harlem Renaissance, the Jazz Age, or the life and times of Duke Ellington. Not the easiest book to write, but a successful effort just the same.

Ages 9 and up.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Crease, Stephanie Stein. 2009. Duke Ellington: His Life In Jazz: With 21 Activities. Chicago Review Press. 148.

I enjoyed reading Duke Ellington. Not only did I learn about this legendary jazz musician, I also learned about the life and times he lived in--the society, the culture, the history, the economics, the politics. And, of course, I learned about music. (Not just his music--great as that would have been--but about music in general.) What makes this biography extra-special (in addition to the rich details) are all the extras--the photographs, yes, but perhaps more importantly the built-in activities. Activities that invite young readers--I'd say middle schoolers on up--to get involved in music and art. (The book gives a great sense of appreciation for fine arts in general.) What kinds of activities? Well, a bit of this and that. I like how it incorporates a little bit of everything--because it's a fact that everyone has different abilities, talents, skills, aptitudes. Not everyone can find the rhythm, right? But maybe they'd find that they'd be good at making a costume for a floor show or baking corn bread. The text itself was well-written. It was both informative and interesting. The book is quite good just as it is, but it would have been nice if it had included a cd of his music. That being said, using Project Playlist, you can easily find music to accompany the book.

Granted, I've got some interest heading into the reading experience. I can't quite remember when I discovered Duke Ellington, I can tell you that his music was something I took to quite quickly.

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is for kids, but it was fine for an adult looking to learn more about jazz.