Duke Ellington - It Don't Mean a Thing

Born in 1899 Duke Ellington was legend for his musical work in the big band swing era of the 30s. His big band was the most stable and longest lived big band in jazz history. So he was not only a fantastic musician but a very great business man as well.

It was tough be in the music industry after the great depression, especially for an African American who was still seen to be inferior to the white majority at the time. According to Hine, "record sales in 1932 were only a sixth of those in 1927" (425). Big bands started to become popular in dance venues. This allowed many African Americans to be noticed and appreciated for their talents. This did not stop the racism, many African Americans were still treated very poorly and unfair even though they were extremely talented musicians. African American big bands did have to compete with white big bands as well. Benny Goodman and his big band were all white and quite talented and may have received priority over African American big bands just because they were white.

This racism did not discourage Duke Ellington too much, his big band stayed very "classy" and formal at all their performances and acted very professional. To help his bands success he would often find ways to perform on the radio, newer technology at the time, to reach a broader audience. Many of you have probably heard at least one of the Duke's songs. He was a fantastic piano player, a smart business man, and a great composer. He composed the famous Nut Cracker Jazz version which you all have most likely heard. When listening to "It Don't Mean a Thing" listen closely for the different sections of the big band (trumpets, saxophones and winds, trombones, and the rhythm section). Also listen to how in sync this band feels and how it feels like you should be dancing, this is swing music's purpose.