Peter Lavezzoli has written a fine book about Duke Ellington, one that will find a home in many libraries and homes. THE KING OF ALL, SIR DUKE: ELLINGTON AND THE ARTISTIC REVOLUTION reveals the wonder that was Duke Ellington.

During Ellingtons life his goal was to share music written for the people and write music for the people and perform music for the people. He was aware of racial prejudice and he countered it by dressing well speaking well and as a spokesman for all that is good in jazz music. Like George Gershwin Duke Ellington was one of a kind.

What author Peter Lavezzoli captures so elegantly about Duke was the man's high principles and his innate ability to share musical visions accurately and with style. Ellington had a special genius for catching the richness and variety of human emotion in all of its intricate shadings!

In addition to an excellent forward there is a section detailing Ellington followed by selections concerning individuals touched in some way by Ellington. Some of the selections include "Stevie Wonder" "Miles Davis" "Frank Zappa" "Ravi Shankar" and many others. If you read only one jazz book this year please make this the one you decide to read! A truly remarkable book which paints an accurate work of the complex caring man that was Duke Ellington.

Peter Lavezzoli is a drummer and a writer. He had written a most excellent nonfiction look at Duke Ellington. You can feel the man behind the legend and you can fully comprehend was a great American talent and genius Duke Ellington was and remains.'During Ellingtons life his goal was to share music written for the people and write music for the people and perform music for the people. He was aware of racial prejudice and he countered it by dressing well speaking well and as a spokesman for all that is good in jazz music. Like George Gershwin Duke Ellington was one of a kind.'