Get that man on a stamp!.......er.....coin?
It was announced today that Duke Ellington will be commemorated on a coin. He will be the first African American to appear solo on a coin. It's hard to argue with this decision. Maybe they'll get Joey on one next? (or Roy??)
Here's the CNN story
I took a course on Duke whilst at college, and he wrote some amazing music. He may not be among my top few jazz musicians, but it is impossible to deny the fact that he had a massive impact on the direction jazz took over the course of his career.
Here's a song from one of his extended pieces/concept albums later in his career, The Far East Suite:
Duke Ellington - Mount Harissa
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