To say that Duke Ellington (1899-1974) was a prominent jazz bandleader of the twentieth century is like saying that William Shakespeare was a prominent playwright of his day. Nearly thirty years after his death, Ellington'a astonishing influence and musical legacy live on - often in unexpected ways. In his hit song Sir Duke, Stevie Wonder sings:

This unusual book, both study and appreciation, begins with personal reflections as well as the life before going on to consider - through anecdote, musical sholarship, and interviews - Ellington's profound influence on an amazing range of artists: Stevie Wonder, Steely Dan, Miles Davis (who, in the ultimate tribute, had himself interred near Ellington in Woodland Cemetery in the Bronx), Sun Ra, James Brown, Sly Stone, George Clinton, prince, Frank Zappa, Charles Mingus, Ravi Shankar, and others.

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