Gerardo Constantini <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

>Despite you are rigth or not(because i know very few of Ellington,and i
>really don't care),this question is to the list:  What have to do Ellington
>and other popular musicians in a classical music list?.

Duke Ellington is IMHO sui generis.  He was blessed and cursed with
economic conditions that required him to maintain an orchestra straddling
the world of popular music and something more.  His popular hits such as
"Sophisticated Lady" "Mood Indigo" "Do Nothing 'Til You Hear From Me'
"Satin Doll" are instantly and recognizably Ellington only, expanding the
limits of popular taste.  Unlike much pop music it survives its particular
time, place, cache of private memories that make for simple nostalgia.The
melodies themselves are unforgettable.  Ellington was also one of the
greatest composers for particular soloists.He knew how to work with some
extremely gifted musicians to bring out their individual voices to an
unprecedented degree in what is artificially termed "jazz".  The sheer
sounds of his performances are opulent, beautifully and sensitively
colorful, and nearly inexhaustible.  As with CM re-listening pays dividends
both within a given performance and over time.  Ellington's compositions
"evolved" in unexpected ways and his creative compositional life remained
vital for nearly 5 decades.

I'm sorry you don't appreciate Ellington as YET but "You (are) Eligible
To(o)".  Give him some extended listening soon with some help from
knowledgeable afficianados.

Jeff Tedford <[log in to unmask]>