The World of Duke Ellington (A Da Capo paperback) [Paperback]

Stanley Dance (Author)

Book Description

Series: A Da Capo paperback | Publication Date: March 1981

"The ultimate in art is self-expression, not escape."-Duke Ellington In this fascinating portrait of one of America's greatest musical legends, longtime friend and jazz historian Stanley Dance recounts the life of the incomparable Duke Ellington in his own words and in the words of the artists who played along with him: longtime co-composer Billy Strayhorn, saxophonists Johnny Hodges and Ben Webster, trumpeters Cootie Williams and Clark Terry, drummer Sonny Greer, vocalist Alice Babs, and organist Wild Bill Davis, among many others. There are also first-hand accounts of Ellington's world tours, performances in churches and the White House, interviews and public appearances, and a complete discography and chronology. The result is a timeless chronicle of the long and extraordinary career of a music master."The truest and most intimate portrait of the great Ellington that we have."-Whitney Balliett

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Onstage, Duke Ellington was an effusive, electrifying personality. Offstage, he was something of a cipher, which led one longtime associate to speculate that "only a whole convention of people who 'knew' Ellington, each revealing their understanding of the enigma, could begin to piece together an accurate portrait of him." Stanley Dance, an Ellington booster since the 1930s, has assembled exactly this sort of composite picture. His book includes verbal snapshots of the orchestra on tour, and several conversations with the man himself. The main attraction, though, is the series of interviews that Dance conducted with dozens of orchestra members, including Ben Webster, Cootie Williams, Paul Gonsalves, Harry Carney, and Johnny Hodges. None of these gentlemen claim any profound intimacy with their employer (although baritone saxophonist Carney, who also chauffeured Ellington between gigs, probably spent as much time in his company as any other human being). But their accumulated conversation does add up to a rare--if inevitably partial--portrait, as well as a treasure trove of musical insight.

About the Author

Stanley Dance (1910–1999) was the author of The World of Duke Ellington, The World of Earl Hines, The World of Swing and editor of Jazz Era: The Forties, all published by Da Capo Press. He was a regular contributor to Jazz Times and other publications.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 311 pages
• Publisher: Da Capo Pr (March 1981)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0306801361
• ISBN-13: 978-0306801365
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,552,673 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars First person insights into the maestro and his incredible band, March 21, 2008

By 

F. Dance (Cornwall, NY United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The World Of Duke Ellington (Paperback)

This is a selection of interviews compiled by Duke's close friend and jazz critic-historian, Stanley Dance, who delivered the eulogy at Duke's funeral. The reader will benefit from personal rememberances by Duke and key members of the band, recounted in their own words.