I am writing a paper on Duke Ellington for my Jazz and American Popular Song History class. I have been very inspired by this remarkably hardworking and introspective man. Here are a couple quotes I really like from him:

“The unprovable fact is that I believe i have ha d a glimpse of God many times. I believe because believing is believable, and no one can prove it unbelievable. Some people who have had the same experience I have had are afraid or ashamed to admit it. They are afraid of being called naive or square. Maybe they just want to be in. Maybe it’s a matter of the style, the trend, or whatever one thinks one does to be acceptable in certain circles. There was a man who was blessed with the vision to see God. But even this man did not and does not have the power or whatever it takes to show God to a believer, much less an unbeliever.”

“I believe that no matter how highly skilled a drummer or saxophonist might be, if this is the thing he does best, and he offers it sincerely from the heart in -or as accompaniment to- his worship, he will not be unacceptable because of lack of skill or of the instrument upon which he makes his demonstration, be it pipe or tomtom.”