Ellington Speaks
HE "Answering New Zealand" series contains some surprises, not least the fluent radio voice of Duke Ellington, a recent guest speaker. He described his latest essay in what he calls "concert jazz," a work entitled "Black, Brown, and Beige." This is a jazz expression of the history of the American negroes, whom the composer lovingly referred to as "my people"; and his swift but factual description of the evolution of his_ race from ancient Africa to modern America: was influenced by what is evidently a vividly personal interest in the problem. Ellington and Deems Taylor spoke of jazz as America’s folk music, with which it is difficult to agree when it is remem--bered that its melodies are mainly the product of Tin Pan Alley. Ellington’s shrewd musicianship was apparent in one comment he made-"A good jazz player may not be able to read music, but he must be able to improvise." Self-satis-fied musicians who despise jazz may well take this to heart; five minutes of attempted improvisation at the piano will convince many an accomplished highbrow that there is more in genuine musicianship than the mere ability to play what is written on the paper,
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New Zealand Listener, Volume 13, Issue 337, 7 December 1945, Page 9
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197Ellington Speaks New Zealand Listener, Volume 13, Issue 337, 7 December 1945, Page 9
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