Duke Ellington's Orchestra in Switzerland in 1959. Few musicians have represented America before the world like the Duke. His name was and is still synonymous with American jazz. A musical genius, his production was prodigious and consistently excellent. He composed with his sidemen in mind. His compositions were tailor-made for his musicians. And he protected and sheltered them from negative influences: during the years of segregation in the American South, he would travel through Dixieland in his own train so that his men would not have to endure the humiliations of racial discrimination other black musicians had to endure. By the same token his enormous presence did much for the advancement of civil rights. In his later years he dedicated himself to compose jazz sacred music. Gabe Meruelo.
Duke Ellington's Orchestra in Switzerland in 1959. Few musicians have represented America before the world like the Duke. His name was and is still synonymous with American jazz. A musical genius, his production was prodigious and consistently excellent. He composed with his sidemen in mind. His compositions were tailor-made for his musicians. And he protected and sheltered them from negative influences: during the years of segregation in the American South, he would travel through Dixieland in his own train so that his men would not have to endure the humiliations of racial discrimination other black musicians had to endure. By the same token his enormous presence did much for the advancement of civil rights. In his later years he dedicated himself to compose jazz sacred music. Gabe Meruelo.
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