DUKE ELLINGTON-A GIANT OF AMERICAN MUSIC

Duke Ellington-A Giant of American Music:  Duke Ellington enjoys a unique position in American musical history. Unlike the composers who are celebrated in the blog. he had his own orchestra which he led for over forty years. As Alec Wilder relates his band " Has been the medium of expression as much as canvas is to a painter or paper to a writer. More, in fact, as the band has also been his paint and his palette." He certainly earned his title as The Duke due to his stagerring output of so diversified a body of work. Extended concert pieces, Sacred music, jazz classics and individual songs, all of which were written with specific orchestra players in mind, his response to their unique styles and capabilities. Many of his band members like Harry Carney,Johnny Hodges, Barney Bigard and others helped contribute to the essence of the Ellington sound which is immediately recognized within a few short bars, Billy Strayhorn, as arranger and composer had a unique role to play as Duke's amenuensis  or shadow inspiration.
Ellington did not have a lengthy and extended relationship with lyricist partners since some of his songs were originally written as instrumental pieces with had lyrics added after the fact.  The absence of a lyricist with whom he could collaborate  in  fruitful partnerships like Rodgers & Hart, Lerner and Loewe, Kern and Hammerstein, or George and Ira Gershwin probably limited what he might have been able to accomplish in the popular song field. It is such intense collaboration between composers and lyricists that has produced so many of the best songs in the Great American Songbook. On the other hand, Irving Berlin, Cole Porter, Frank Loesser and Stephan Sondheim all wrote both music and lyrics. Presumably, as collaborators. they were able to communicate internally and resolve any inner disputes.
To demonstrate just one dimension of the Ellington creativity, listen to " Come Sunday".  It is a magnificent, solemn declaration of fundamental spirituality relevant for any religious observance .It demonstrates Ellington's own deep spiritual nature which srangely enough is not at odds with his great personal elegance, sophistication and urbanity. This version features the soprano Kathleen Battle and Branford Marsalis combining Ellington's music and words with jazz improvisations on a lyrical tenor saxophone. It is a remarkable fusion of sacred intent , vocal elegance with jazz improvisation and a discrete orchestral background.  There is a serenity that is simply spellbinding as Duke asks the Lord " To see my people through." Coming one day after Martin Luther King day, this song has a unique and compelling meaning.
 Note: Future posts, will showcase his succesful popular song output.

http://youtu.be/kmfPiEoFHm0
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