Duke Ellington, Jazz Composer

A musical analysis of Ellington's works which investigates his methods of composition, focusing on works written, performed and recorded between 1939 and 1941. It also looks at his life and the extent to which he drew on black music traditions.

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This analysis of Duke Ellington's works draws on observations by Ellington himself and by members of his orchestra to show how blues, ragtime and Tin Pan Alley influenced Ellington and how he integrated black folk music practices with elements of European art music. The book aims to provide new perspectives on Ellington's life and music, the interpretations of some of his creative soloists and the evolution of the jazz tradition.