Columnist Joe Delaney: A personal happy birthday message to Duke

Joe Delaney

Thursday, April 29, 1999 | 10:45 a.m.

Edward Kennedy Ellington, better known to the world as Duke Ellington, this country's most important musical contributor, all categories, put up his prolific pen for the last time in May 1974, at age 75. ... Today marks the 100th anniversary of his birth in Washington, D.C. ... On his natal date in 1975, I produced an Ellington tribute in UNLV's Ham Hall.

At the time of his death, he had performed his music in every part of the world except China and Siberia. ... Duke had dined with presidents and kings, had a Prince of Wales accompany him on drums, played piano duets with President Truman, performed his music on TV in Japan, Sweden, England and the United States. ... He scored Broadway shows and created a ballet with Alvin Ailey.

The ballet, "The River," as narrated by Duke, is repeated annually in this column on Good Friday of Easter week. ... Ellington sent out his Christmas cards when the spirit moved him; this one was sent to me as a Christmas card one Easter; it deals with the Heavenly Anticipation of Rebirth.

A body of work

Ellington conducted symphony orchestras in various countries, wrote for Toscanini and the Paris Symphony, scored films for Otto Preminger, and wrote special shows for TV. ... His series of sacred concerts were presented in famous cathedrals in England, Spain, San Francisco and at the Cathedral of St. John The Divine on Fifth Avenue in NYC's Manhattan.

The Ellington catalogue consists of more than 3,000 original works, ranging from Top 10 pop tunes to jazz classics, short tone poems, longer classical pieces, full suites and symphonic works. ... The Ellington orchestra playing the "Nutcracker Suite," a la Duke, is a classic CD.

I shall always be grateful to Duke for his music, his friendship, and for two lessons learned. ... The first: When I asked him to name his favorite composition he had written, he smiled and answered, "My next one. Always have a next one, it's a good reason to wake up every morning."

Second lesson

I was running down Fifth Avenue, trying to get to Saks before it closed, when Duke rounded a corner and into my path; we collided, held on, and kept from falling. ... "Joseph, where on Earth are you running?" ... I told him it was Aunt Helen's birthday and I wanted to get a gift for my only relative before the store closed.

"Why don't you give her a gift because it's Tuesday, or it's April, or you just happen to love her madly that day?" ... A lesson well learned and never forgotten.

The 1975 tribute

The Ellington tribute was produced for the LV Jazz Society with a major assist from the late bassist, Monk Montgomery. ... The four movements covered "Early Ellington," "Ellington's Hit Parade," "Classical Ellington" and "The Duke Meets His Maker," closing with "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" as Ellington might have arranged it.

Top percussionist, arranger and good neighbor these past 35 years, Otto Ortwein, wrote the Part I charts, which included "Mood Indigo," "East Saint Louis Toodle-oo" and "Rockin' In Rhythm." ... Part II featured singer Herb Jeffries on "Flamingo" and master guitarist Kenny Burrell and the full orchestra on "Solitude," "Satin Doll," "Sophisticated Lady," "Take the A Train" and other hit parade tunes by the Duke.

Las Vegan Ruth Brown, a major recording artist in the early days of rock 'n' roll and a recent Tony Award-winner, sang the late Mahalia Jackson's part on "Black, Brown and Beige," an Ellington classical piece, as Part III.

Part IV consisted of selections performed by the Ellingon orchestra in various sacred concerts. ... "Battle Hymn of the Republic" featured a huge mixed choir, arranger Ortwein on kettle drums and the entire audience joining in for a very moving finale.

In conclusion

Today marks the start of a year-long celebration of Ellington's music led by trumpeter Wynton Marsalis and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, plus new releases and re-issued recordings by major artists of the past. ... Duke's original recordings dating back to the 1920s are timeless. ... It is also important to have recordings by new artists as well.

Star-policy rundown It's Julio Iglesias (Caesars Palace); Dionne Warwick, Friday through Sunday (Desert Inn); Patsy Cline Tribute (Gold Coast); Clint Holmes (Golden Nugget); Jeff Foxworthy (LV Hilton); Tom Jones (MGM Grand); Siegfried & Roy (Mirage); Lance Burton (Monte Carlo); Righteous Brothers (Orleans) and Danny Gans (Rio). ... See you Friday.