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fiction and musings from a gay black dude with delusions above his station

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the gar spot fiction and musings from a gay black dude with delusions above his station

Tag: Ellington

The Swing Era – The Strayhorn Centenary Project

Posted on November 15, 2015 by gar

1939 was a good year for a composer/arranger to join the Duke Ellington Orchestra. Several important musicians joined its ranks around this time, adding to the band’s considerable aural palette. Jimmy Blanton freed the bass from its simple time-keeping role and made it a fluid, melodic instrument. This is best heard on the track “Jack…

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Encore from the Archives: The Swing Shift

Posted on August 8, 2013 by gar

[Originally published on the gar spot in January 2011.] The fantasy started that night, in the shades of black he wore and the shades of tan that made up our skin as we stood together in the wings overlooking the orchestra.  I stood behind him and allowed my hand to brush against his, allowed my breath…

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Short Story: The Swing Shift

Posted on January 6, 2011April 17, 2011 by gar

This story could be called a love letter to the Duke Ellington Orchestra.  I wrote it around the time I fell head over heels for all things Ellington and started listening to his music 23 out of 24 hours in the day — a practice I continue to the present time.  I immersed myself in…

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SIN AGAINST THE RACE, a novel–Click image for info

Sin Against the Race

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