Memories of Duke

Black producer/director Gary Keys' monument to Ellington consists of concert footage of the band's 1968 tour, intercut with interview comments from long-time sidemen Cootie Williams and Russell Procope. If the sound quality of the numbers leaves something to be desired, the inclusion of Ellington-composed classics such as 'Take The A Train', 'Satin Doll' and 'Black And Tan Fantasy' (and information about long and satisfying sojourns of individual musicians with the band) more than attests to the Duke's stature as Jazz Giant.