The Art of
Jackson Dainty
 Gallery Three Masters of Change |
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Duke Ellington
Fine art Giclee print Inquire about originals
18"x24"
Here I've tried to incorporate a few parts of the life of a genius. They needed to be graphic and interesting to the viewer — a history on canvas. In the background on his left are the images of dancers from a futuristic civil rights play titled Jump for Joy.
At the top on the right side is the sign from the famous Cotton Club in Harlem, and below that on the right border are stylized musicians that represent his orchestra. Their graphic look was taken from an old poster that advertised Duke Ellington at the Cotton Club performing Black and Tan Fantasy.
In the background above and to the right of Duke's head is my version of a book by Duke Ellington titled Music Is My Mistress. The piano keys and the woman on the right are from a Broadway poster for Sophisticated Ladies.
Duke's head is both the younger and older self. His coat is deep purple because he was the regal Duke. The sheet music in front of him is Black, Brown and Beige, which is what he believed to be his most important concert at Carnegie Hall, on January 23, 1943. That composition continued to be revised up to 1965 when he recorded it privately.
Duke used the phrase Beyond Category to describe his favorite exceptional artists. He truly was that himself.
Why a Master
Duke Ellington sang America's glorious song even when America wasn't necessarily listening. Calm and gracious in the face of the mindless integration laws and customs of the time, Ellington rose above all obstacles to give us soaring melodies and intricate time signatures that are now woven into the very fabric of our society.
Often writing at night on the train, he felt the rhythmic click of the tracks as he crossed the country, spreading his musical vision and broadening everyone's musical horizons. Steeped in the European classical tradition, Ellington brought fourth a unique tradition of his own — the American song.