Duke Ellington’s New York

Examining the relationship between Duke Ellington and New York City, this book charts the fluctuating fortunes of musician and city through much of the 20th century. From pool halls to speakeasies, from the Cotton Club to Carnegie Hall, the book traces Ellington's path to the top of a city where jazz became the soundtrack of life. Placing Ellington's story within the broader context of the African American struggle for equality and the evolution of a quintessentially American art form, it presents a fascinating and revealing story of artistic triumph and personal turmoil. With maps to guide urban adventurers and a riveting story for jazz buffs, this guide explores the city from Harlem to Greenwich Village, visiting the bars, clubs, and concert halls where renowned jazz musician Duke Ellington painted a musical landscape that looks just like the city itself—sophisticated, intriguing, vital, and undeniably cool.