Art &Entertainment

The Man Who Was

an Orchestra
Duke Ellington
(1899 – 1974)
 Before you read
A. Creators of new things
B. Greatly decreased
C. Forceful
D. Distressing, touching
E. Collection of musical pieces
F. Explore thoroughly
G. Invent without preparation
H. Stimulating, invigorating
I. Substitutes, replacements
1. The element of surprise explains the compelling hold
jazz has on listeners, which makes them sit very
still for hours. C

2. Because of our patterned lives, jazzmen, of all

musicians, are our surrogates for the unpredictable. I

3. Duck would play familiar numbers from his

repertory during parts of the evening. E

4. Jazzmen generally improvise rather than play

prepare pieces. G

5. After Duck Ellington had been afflicted by cancer,

his strength was decimated. H
6. Musicians find performances exhausting
yet exhilarating experiences. H
7. Ellington considered the unfortunate
situation of many classical composers
poignant.D
8. By writing specifically for each of his
men and letting them play in a natural
and relaxed manner, Ellington was able
to probe the intimate recesses of their
minds.F
9. While most people follow the ideas of
others, every group needs also to have
innovators.A
 After you read
1. Recalling information

1. The man reason that jazz is unpredictable and presents

the listener with surprise is that:
a. It sounds like an older style of music
b. Jazzmen improvise rather than play prepared pieces
c. The musicians find the performances exhilarating

2. Duck Ellington included old familiar numbers from his

repertory in many of his concerts because:
a. It was his continual and keenest musical pleasure
b. He feel it was good business and he want to make a
lot of money
c. He did not want to disappoint his audiences
3. When Duck Ellington was older and famous,
he:
a. Enjoyed living in the past and talking about
earlier accomplishments
b. Rejected the new styles of younger
musicians
c. Kept on changing and innovating his music

4. Ellington considered that fate of most

classical composers poignant because:
a. They have to wait a long time before they
can hear their music
b. They usually die before getting much money
or fame
c. They have to follow rigid rules in composing
2. Making and supporting inferences
1. He was basically lazy and liked the
good and easy life.
- Invalid
2. He was self-centered and arrogant.
- Invalid
3. He was young in spirit throughout his
life.
- Valid