The Maestro (Part 1)

NPR profiles Duke Ellington:

In American music, Duke Ellington stands alone. Over a period of 50 years — from the 1920s to the 1970s — Ellington led one of history’s finest performing ensembles and established himself as one of America’s most powerful musical forces. He encountered jazz in its infancy and expanded it into a sophisticated, internationally-celebrated art form.

Listen to the podcast of the program. By the way, the music section of NPR sported a new look. Check it out!