[Dixielandjazz] Black, Brown, Beige - Ellington - Black and Tan

[Stephen Barbone]

List Mates:

Ellington used music to converse about social themes. If this interests
you, read on. If not delete now.

There was a question of whether ot not Ellington's "Tone Parallel" in 3
movements, "Black, Brown and Beige" had it's roots in the light skin v.
dark skin prejudice among blacks. Answer, according to reviewers at the
time, is no. Ellington used music to converse about social themes,
however there was a theme other than prejudice in this work.

The prevailing view seems to be that this 48 minute composition was
meant to reflect a musical portrait of Negro life in America.
Specifically, as Ellington said: "We are weaving a musical thread which
runs parallel to the history of the American Negro."

First movement "Black". Two themes, the Work Song and the Spiritual. The
Negro psyche.
Second Movement: "Brown" Represents life Negro life in the period from
the Revolutionary War through WW1. West Indian influence, turbulence
around the Civil War, Blues between Civil and WW1.
Third Movement "Beige" Represents the boisterous and chaotic times of
WW1 and shortly thereafter where the Negro rises to help protect the
flag and in effect, Black, Brown and Beige, becomes Red White and Blue.
Paraphrased from an article in Down Beat, 1943, by Helen Oakley

Much too complicated to discuss fully. If interested, suggest you get;
"The Duke Ellington Reader" edited by Mark Tucker, Oxford University
Press. There are many, many pages, articles, reviews in it about this
work and about other Ellington works. From various time periods. Very
informative to the Ellington fans who want to learn more about what he
wrote and why. Balanced work with both pro and con reviews.

Regarding "Black and Tan" Ellington himself said: "I have been told that
in England the words "black and tan" recall memories of the voluntary
force that went to Ireland . . . and it can also mean a familiar term
for the Manchester Terrier. But in "Black and Tan Fantasy", the words
have a different meaning. There are in Harlem certain places after the
style of night clubs patronized by both black and coloured amusement
seekers, and these are colloquially known as "black and tans." Quoted
from Rhythm, an English publication, 1933.

Cheers,
Steve (adore Ellington) Barbone