Duke Ellington's America

[ghost of miles]

One I'd definitely like to read:

Duke Ellington's America

[JSngry]

Is there a preface by Stanley Dance?

[ghost of miles]

Is there a preface by Stanley Dance?

Yes, ghosted by Billy Strayhorn.

Doesn't look like this book purports to be a biography, rather more of a "Duke-in-his-times" undertaking. I'd love to read a comprehensive, well-written bio (would have to be two volumes, I'd guess), but not sure one will ever come about... like Miles, Bird, and Trane, I think the best approach may always be to read at least several different at-length takes on their lives and music. Ellington's career on record is what, 50 years? And incredibly dynamic years at that for Ellington, for American music, and for American culture and history. That's a lot to get your ears and head around in 300 or so pages.

Edited April 20, 2010 by ghost of miles

[EKE BBB]

> "Duke Ellington's America" reviewed

>

> Duke Ellington's America

> Cohen, Harvey G. "Duke Ellington's America." Univ. of Chicago. May 2010. c.720p.

> photogs. index. ISBN 978-0-226-11263-3. $40.

>

> Library Journal, April 1, 2010

> Cohen (cultural and creative industries, King's College London) adds to the dozens

> of books about jazz great Duke Ellington with a new approach. Unlike Mark Tucker's

> "Ellington," John Edward Hasse's "Beyond Category," and Ellington's own "Music Is

> My Mistress," Cohen delivers a social history that firmly places the bandleader within

> his time. The author first describes the racial mores of Washington, DC, at the turn

> of the last century that shaped the young Ellington and attributes Ellington's success

> during the 1930s to the marketing campaign of manager Irving Mills, who branded him

> as a suave, elegant genius who could appeal to black and white audiences. Cohen covers

> Ellington's postwar challenges, his return to fame, his State Department tours, the

> "sacred concerts," and his death in May 1974. Along the way, he focuses on changes

> in the record industry and music technology and the progress in civil rights.

> Verdict: Though sometimes writing like a Ph.D. student and quoting from secondary

> sources, Cohen offers a fascinating, exhaustively researched social history of Duke

> Ellington's world. Highly recommended for general readers and jazz aficionados alike.

>

> -- Dave Szatmary, Univ. of Washington, Seattle

[AllenLowe]

I tend to be wary of one academic reviewing another -

my favorite book on Duke, if it can still be found, is Derek Jewell's portrait.

[sidewinder]

Derek Jewell's portrait.

Derek Jewell - now there's a name from the past. He used to to an extremely good popular music/jazz record review show on BBC radio back in the 70s which was extremely wide ranging and 'tasteful' in its selections.

[AllenLowe]

my favorite line from the book - he's riding in a car with Ellington, who says:

"you know, I've probably screwed more women than anyone else in the world."

[Adam]

my favorite line from the book - he's riding in a car with Ellington, who says:

"you know, I've probably screwed more women than anyone else in the world."

Should there have been a contest among him, Wilt Chamberlain, Marlon Brando, JFK, Warren Beatty, and Norman Mailer?

[AllenLowe]

I forgot about Wilt - though his numbers always seemed a wee bit impossible.

Edited April 27, 2010 by AllenLowe