Piece Description

At the end of World War II bandleader Duke Ellington was coming off an artistic and commercial zenith, and he'd managed to keep most of his talented orchestra intact during the war years. But economic and cultural changes, along with stubbornly persistent racism, would challenge, provoke, and inspire Ellington as he continued to pursue his unique musical vision while working to stay financially viable. "On a Turquoise Cloud: Duke Ellington After the War, 1945-1947" features lesser-known Ellington compositions such as "Lady of the Lavender Mist," "Magenta Haze," and "Air-Conditioned Jungle," as well as a Carnegie Hall concert performance of the atonal/stride-piano "The Clothed Woman," singer Al Hibbler's anthemic performance of "I Like the Sunrise" from The Liberian Suite, and one of the few recorded numbers from Ellington's score for the failed Broadway musical Beggar's Holiday. Historian and Ellington expert Michael McGerr offers insights into this period of Ellington's career as well. Night Lights Classic Jazz is available as a weekly series, contact cboyce@indiana.edu for more information and subscription options.