Duke Ellington believed in the universality of his music. He viewed jazz as the new classical music, an improvement on the old kind and its logical continuation. But one that could be used all around the world. His efforts to jazzify every foreign music he could get his ears on makes him today paradoxically a cultural appropriator extraordinaire. A list of evidence would include Afro bosa, Togo Brava, Mexicanticipation, Liberia, Arabesque, Chinoiserie, Afrique, Gong, Tang, Agra, Bluebird of Delhi, Isfahan, Matador, Hiawatha the beautiful Indian and Ecumes des Jours.

Ellington borrowed scales, modes and rhythms with an unparalleled curiosity. He wrote ballets, musicals operas, and the Queen Suite with only one copy pressed for Elizabeth the 2nd. Another major influence is blue, all the shades of the color blue. Turquoise Cloud, Magenta Haze, Shades of Blue, Blue Moon, Crescendo and Diminuendo in Blue, Rue Bleu are examples as are an almost infinite number of Blues.

For The Duke’s Jazz sides, heck out these tunes. The earlier the version the better.
East Saint Louis doodle, Caravan, Conga Brava, Ko Ko, Echoes of Harlem, Cotton Tail, Blues of the Vagabond, The Mooch, In a Mellow Tone, Mainstem Jungle, Night in Harlem.