Edward Kennedy “Duke” Ellington was recently honored in a huge and very deserving manner. He will be the first African-American to appear on an American coin – he’ll be featured on the District of Columbia’s coin in the line of state coins.
An intelligent, colorful, and stylish man, Duke Ellington left his mark on his country, and the world, with his music, style, and passion for his art. He also left behind some very profound words of wisdom for us, as you’re about to see.
Spend a few minutes with each quote and let it set in. See how each relates to your own personal life.
Duke Ellington Quotes
“Critics have their purposes, and they’re supposed to do what they do, but sometimes they get a little carried away with what they think someone should have done, rather than concerning themselves with what they did.”
“A problem is a chance for you to do your best.”
“Gray skies are just clouds passing over.”
“I merely took the energy it takes to pout and wrote some blues.”
“My attitude is never to be satisfied, never enough, never.”
“People do not retire. They are retired by others.”
“On becoming more acquainted with the word of the Bible, I began to understand so much more of what I had been taught, and of what I had learned about life and about the people in mine.”
“The wise musicians are those who play what they can master.”
“There are two kinds of worries – those you can do something about and those you can’t. Don’t spend any time on the latter.”
And this one may not have much self improvement wind beneath its wings, but I thought it was really cute: “Playing ‘bop’ is like playing Scrabble with all the vowels missing.”
Duke Ellington passed away at the age of 75 in 1974.
Turn your volume up and visit Duke Ellington’s Official Website to learn more about this great man and the impact he had on the world of music. Let the song play all the way through – you won’t regret one tiny second of it. I have the website minimized here on my laptop and his beautiful music and voice are filling my dining room. You haven’t blogged until you’ve blogged while bopping your head and swinging in your seat.
My cat thinks I’ve finally lost it. Wait’ll she sees me sashay over to the coffee pot for a refill. I’m about to bust out some of my best moves.
The postcard at the top of the post (making it a post postcard?) is available in the store of his official website. There are also t-shirts, stamps, a tie, a key chain, and a coffee mug that I must, must have. Click HERE for the postcard. I just get excited about keeping the memory and magic of great people alive. In a way, when we do that, we’re keeping them alive.
I am taking a class in American Popular music right now and Duke Ellington was truly one of the pioneers of jazz and swing music. Its nice to get some of his thoughts on life rather than just listening to his music.
I agree – I really like to read my favorite artist’s thoughts. It’s sort of like looking under the hood! This was a very fascinating man and I’m just thrilled this honor was bestowed upon him. Very deserving! – Joi
Something that touches on what you said Joi…
As a major Jazz lover, I think it is always interesting to watch those who hate it, and hear them say how it has no structure, form etc.
The beauty of jazz is that it is always ‘in the moment’, and this has incredible parallels with self-development, meditation and so on.
In fact, one could write a book on the way jazz can transport the soul.
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