My People

by Duke Ellington

My People cover art
  • Type: Album
  • Released: 1963
  • Label: Contact
  • Country: United States
  • Length: 42:16
  • Community rating: 3.19/5 from 2 ratings

Album Notes & Community Reviews

Conceived and staged for the Century of Negro Progress Exhibition in Chicago, 'My People' is a deeply political, highly ambitious musical theater piece composed by Duke Ellington. The album addresses the African-American experience and the ongoing Civil Rights Movement, utilizing a massive ensemble, vocal choruses, and complex, shifting jazz orchestrations. It remains a powerful, though frequently overlooked, testament to Ellington's social consciousness.

Genres

Tracklist

  1. Ain't But The One (5:16)
  2. Will You Be There?
  3. 99%
  4. Come Sunday (6:09)
  5. David Danced
  6. My Mother, My Father (Heritage) (2:50)
  7. Montage - Instrumental (6:54)
  8. My People (8:56)
  9. The Blues Ain't
  10. Workin' Blues (5:57)
  11. My Man Sends Me
  12. Jail Blues
  13. Lovin' Lover
  14. King Fit The Battle Of Alabam' (3:25)
  15. What Color Is Virtue? (2:49)

Credits

  • Duke Ellington - primary artist, concept by, written-by, stage manager [staged by]
  • Jimmy Jones - conductor
  • Joya Sherrill - featuring

More from Duke Ellington: full discography