On Thursday, May 19th, choreographer Mercedes
Ellington kept the large audience (who have rapidly become
members of the Jazz Museum family) entranced with her expansive
life-story. Although frequently cited as Duke Ellington’s
granddaughter, Ms. Ellington has had a distinguished career
dating back to the early 1960’s, when she became the
first African-American member of The June Taylor Dancers,
featured regularly on The Jackie Gleason show. Stories about
a trip to Russia with the Ellington band, the realities of
the color line on Broadway, and in general, her tremendous
enthusiasm and intelligence made it a night to remember.
|
