Towards the end of his life, Duke Ellington became both close friends and collaborators with Alvin Ailey. A fan since his teenage years, Ailey felt it was one of his life’s missions to do whatever he could to honor his musical idol especially in the light of his spring 1974 passing due to complications of Lung Cancer. This CBS special would form the foundations of 2 new Ailey ballets: “The Mooche” and “Night Creature”.
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Next up we have excerpts from 1974’s “CBS Special: Ailey Celebrates Ellington” (https://youtu.be/wSsu-owfz2w?si=0GRRD2sPo8omYG84) which features dance pieces choreographed by Alvin Ailey-dancer, choreographer, activist and founder of The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in honor of the life and works of Jazz legend Duke Ellington.
#LaEsoterica #AlvinAiley #DukeElllington #Jazz #dance