Book Review: Ellington at the White House 1969 by Edward Allan Faine

Ellington at the White House 1969 by Edward Allan Faine

For his 70th birthday, Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington was invited to a little soiree at the White House. Actually, the party was anything but small, with eighty-two dinner guests and an additional one hundred and thirty-three "entertainment only" guests who came for the concert and dancing. A band comprised of jazz greats from across the country was put together along with members of various Armed Forces bands, making a delightful blend of talent. Ellington was also awarded the highest civilian honor grantable by the President of the United States, the Medal of Freedom. Ellington was the first jazz musician and the first African-American to receive the honor. Ellington did make a massive contribution to the growth of American music in his career. He performed all over the country and even went internationally as a good will ambassador at the government's request. The White House setting was especially remarkable since Ellington's father once worked at there as a butler.  America is truly the land of opportunity. The Medal of Freedom was well deserved, indeed, probably long overdue. The presenter of that medal was, of course, Richard M. Nixon.

This book describes the lead-up to that night, but mostly from the White House perspective. Nixon wanted to shine brighter than Johnson and Kennedy in the Presidential entertainment department. Ellington publicicst Joe Morgen worked with White House staffer Charles McWhorter to organize the event. Political posturing played some role in the event, but it quickly turned into a joyous celebration of the premiere American composer at the time. The book talks very little about Ellington's life but provides a dozen books in the bibliography for those interested. The focus here is on the April 29, 1969 party.

The celebration is related in gushing detail. The meal and ceremony are given their due, but the lion's share of text goes to describing the band and the musical numbers that were presented that night. Each song is given a little history and a description of that night's performance. Sometimes the musicians gave a classical rendition, as Mary Mayo's singing of "Mood Indigo;" sometimes they gave  the music their own interpretation, as pianist Earl Hines's fiery playing of "Perdido." The details are given in just the right amounts, not too in depth and not just a list of performers and pieces. After the formal concert, the East Room was cleared and a jam session let attendees either play or dance the night away. Many did both.

Nixon achieved a great coup that night. The recognition of jazz as an art form was long overdue. The jubilant blend of a white and black crowd during 1960s America is amazing and odd, showing the promise of what America could be but all too often isn't. The United States Information Agency produced a short film about the evening that became a major hit for the public diplomacy agency. Ellington went on several more public relations tours in the early 1970s (he died in 1974). Funding for the National Endowment for the Arts went from $9 million in 1969 up to $80 million by 1974, a massive increase in a short time. Everyone came out a winner from that night.

The book includes lots of pictures from that night, giving readers an even better sense of the buoyant spirit of the evening. Twelve appendices detail various White House jazz and social functions, the many guest lists, and a history of early Jazz at the White House. A selected bibliography and a recommended list of Ellington's recordings finishes up the book nicely.

Recommended.