|
Memories of
Ellington '99 The Ellington Centennial Celebration |
|
|
Memories of
Ellington '99 The Ellington Centennial Celebration |
| One of the thrills of attending the Duke Ellington Centennial was meeting people who knew Ellington. I even got a few autographs. |
|
|
 Joya Sherrill sang with Ellington
in the 1940s and I always loved hearing her sing "I Let A Song Go Out Of My
Heart." I was able to meet her briefly and obtain this autograph on a picture
of her on one of my CDs.
|
 It was also a pleasure meeting and
talking to Yvonne Lanauze (now recording under the name Eve Smith). Yvonne
sang those tremendous verions of "Mood Indigo" and "Sophisticated Lady" on
the Masterpieces album. Yvonne was kind enough to autograph my copy of the
album.
|
Art Baron, who played trombone for Duke, played for us at the closing banquet
...
... and Yvonne sang! |
|
Right after Ellington '99, the National Gallery of Art opened it's new
sculpture garden. Who should the Gallery pick to provide the entertainment?
None other than the Duke Ellington Orchestra lead by Duke's grandson Paul
Ellington. Duke Ellington's signature still graces the bandstand.
|
| A splendid time was had by all. |
George Avakian was one of
Ellington's producers at Columbia. Here is his autograph on my copy of
Ellington At Newport, Ellington's best selling album. George Avakian has
produced many albums in my collection, both jazz and classical, so it was a
pleasure to meet him. He even told me that he especially enjoyed my
presentation on "Duke Ellington and the Classics."
Here is another picture of
Joya, this time sitting with Sjef Hoefsmit, who is editor of the Duke
Ellington Music Society Bulletin.
