Cuba, the Voice of America, and Duke Ellington (1899-1974)

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We remember Duke Ellington who was born in Washington DC on this day in 1899. He died in 1974.

Duke was a jazz giant. However, I first heard of him many years ago when my father used to listen to The Voice of America in Cuba.

Duke’s “Take the A train” was the intro-music for Willis Conover’s jazz show broadcast to the world on short wave.     

Conover broke the Iron Curtain, The Berlin Wall and came into Communist Cuba, too.    

It was a very catchy tune and millions around the world came to know Duke that way.

P.S. You can listen to my show (Canto Talk) and follow me on Twitter.