Дюк Елингтън

by Stanley Dance, Стенли Данс

Тази изключителна книга представя един от най-големите творци в областта на джаза, човека и музиканта Дюк Елингтън с всички негови качества, особености и вътрешни противоречия. Интересът, който предизвиква животът на Елингтън, се удвоява от обстоятелството, че неговият дълъг творчески път всъщност се слива с развитието на най-забележимия и плодотворен период от историята на джаза. Наред с Дюк и неговите музиканти, на страниците на книгата дефилират всички големи имена в областта на джаза, при това разкрити не от гледна точка на суховатите биографични данни, а - чрез чисто човешките и професионални взаимоотношения с първия
между тях - Едуард Кенеди "Дюк" Елингтън.

Genres: Music, Jazz, Nonfiction, Biography

237 pages, Paperback

First published December 12, 1981

Reviews

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Published in 1970, this book collects interviews (and one press conference) conducted in the 70s with Duke Ellington, Billy Strayhorn, Mercer Ellington, and a pretty hefty chunk of the men who played in Ellington's band. The two Ellingtons and Strayhorn were so thoughtful and able to communicate what they knew about the music, as were many of the sidemen. After a while, the varied stories of all those illustrious musicans became an interesting collage of ambition, creativity, and talent. I was mesmerized hearing the tales of how each of them wandered through various bands and found themselves reaching the promised land of the greatest of them all. There are also a few reviews and a tour diary written by Dance, one of which, concerning the White House celebration of Duke's 70th birthday, left me with the incongruous image of Spiro Agnew playing Ellington tunes on the piano. Needless to say, this book also made me listen to some Ellington!

[Laura Laker]

fascinating insight into the world of Ellington from the eyes of the musicians who worked with him over the years. and into the music itself, what dedication and passion - and skill and style- went into making it.

[Derek · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here's a quote from the introduction to this bk. Stanley Dance is describing Ellington.

"He walks fast when obliged to walk, but doesn't exercise, and professes a fear of 'fresh-air poisoning'".

So great.

[Eric Hines · Rating 3 out of 5]

Captures Duke before he was made of marble. And fairly well. Just a facet of the complex gem that was Ellington, but interesting nonetheless.