Toshiko Akiyoshi Smithsonian Interview Block 815 (Q18768)

Well, the pieces you mentioned--as you stated earlier--you are a socially conscious person, its reflected in the music, particularly in the titles you just said were important to you. (Takes deep breath) When I look at Duke Ellington, yes, as we talked earlier, he was very much influenced by his cultural, uh, background. But also, Duke Ellington had a very strong spirituality, particularly in ...