"In the truest sense of the phrase, he was a citizen of the world. That is a cliche, perhaps, but how few are those who deserve it as he did.
"...As a musician, He hated categories. He didn’t want to be restricted. And although he mistrusted the word jazz, his definition of it was freedom of expression.
"As with musical categories, so with people categorizes. Categories of class, race,
colour, creed and money, were obnoxious to him.
"...His scope constantly widened and right up to the end he remained a creative
force, his imagination stimulated by experience.
"He was, in fact, more of an inspiration than an influence.
"And though he made no claims to being a disciplinarian, he ruled his realm with wisdom.
"With all, Duke Ellington knew that what some called genius was really the exercise of gifts which stemmed from God.
"And the good news was love of God and his fellow man.
"He proclaimed the message in his sacred concerts, grateful for an opportunity to acknowledge something of which he stood in awe, a power he considered above his own human limitations."
The full text of Stanley Dance's eulogy and other excerpts from the broadcast of the funeral of Duke Ellington may be heard here.
Thanks Ian. Stanley Dance was a great advocate for all thing’s connected with Ellington: perhaps one day all of his writings on Duke will be collected together.
ReplyDelete