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Duke Ellington
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From All Movie Guide: African American composer/ musician Duke Ellington was leader of the house band at New York's Cotton Club when talking pictures first gained popularity in 1928-1929. Ellington was one of many performers who showed up in quickie musical short subjects designed to show off the new sound system. He and his band made their feature-film debut in Check and Double Check (30), which starred radio's famed comedy duo Amos 'N' Andy. He was top-lined in such black-oriented "B" pictures as The Duke is Tops (38) and ... made guest appearances in such minor musicals as Hit Parade (37), New Faces (37) and Reveille With Beverly (43). Duke Ellington was given his best movie break by director Otto Preminger, who engaged Ellington to write the now-famous jazz score for 1959's Anatomy of a Murder, and also wedged in a brief on-screen cameo for the Duke. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
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Making a debut album a tribute to Duke Ellington can be quite a challenge. There's certainly a large selection of songs to pick from as Duke was a prolific songwriter. There's a wealth of the Duke's own recorded material out there, as well, to be compared with. What Cleve Douglass has going for himself is talent and a very good understanding of Ellington's music. On this recording there are even three tunes that the Duke never got to record himself - songs that were being worked on when he died in 1974. That wouldn't matter if Douglass were a lesser singer.
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Arguably the most important figure in twentieth century music, Duke Ellington's impact on the jazz world is indisputable. His innovative styles and original compositions inspired many artists over the years. Such successful bandleaders as Woody Herman and Charlie Barnet name Ellington as their chief influence. Ellington was ... one of the few artists to successfully make the change from the hot music of the 1920s to swing in the 1930s, and he continued to contribute to the musical landscape in the post-war era.
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In contrast with the multiplicity of approaches on Blues In Orbit, here Duke Ellington playing the blues sounds pretty much like anyone else playing the blues ("Kentucky Ave, A.C."). Plus, three of the 1970 selections are overwhelmed by Wild Bill Davis's organ, and this time he doesn't even have much to say ("Noon Morning"). On the other hand, the rhythm section is sharp, none of the tunes are terrible and some are exquisite: "Let Me Tell You 'Bout My Baby" is a blast, with Brown wailing on trombone, and the sweet, lyrical "Soul Country" sounds like it should be a standard.
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-Page 1- Duke Ellington... known as Edward Kennedy Ellington, was born on April 29, 1899 in Washington D.C., where he spent nearly one-third of his life. Daisy Kennedy Ellington, Duke's mother, was a soft-spoken woman who was born in 1879 in Washington D.C. as well. She had grown up in a middle-class family and had also completed her high school career, an accomplishment that was outstanding at that time in history. In all respects, Daisy had grown up in a reputable and well-established family, and passed on much of her own upbringing to her son, Edward. As a child, Daisy always made sure that Edward was always confident about hisself and also about his abilities by her constant encouragement. For Daisy, Edward was the light of her life and never had to want for anything.
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Edward Kennedy “Duke” Ellington was born in Washington, D.C., on April 29, 1899, to James Edward and Daisy Kennedy Ellington. His father made blueprints for the U.S. Navy and worked as a butler in the White House for extra money. His grandfather, James Ellington, had been a slave.
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Duke Ellington