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> Duke Ellington's Washington

Local and personal reactions to Duke Ellington's Washington

Charlene Drew Jarvis, City Council Member: "This was a gift to the city. Your documentary has put us back in touch with our past and shown us all the achievements and values of our community in Washington. This story is especially important for the younger generation. Every child in the District schools should see this documentary. It will provide common ground for people of all races to come together.

Richard Monteilh, Executive VP, DC Chamber of Commerce: "Your documentary of 'Duke Ellington's Washington' was a great piece of work. The review from everyone I spoke to couldn't have been more positive. Your film captured a piece of Washington's history that really resonated with the people who saw it."

Leonard Garment, Nixon White House aide and jazz clarinetist: "Congratulations on the wonderful movie you have made. It was superb. All of us were very impressed with it - the history, the examples to children, how you go about rebuilding a community."

Joe Horning, DC Developer: "Ellington's D.C. goes beyond my fondest expectations! You are to be congratulated for producing a show whose message goes to the depths of our country's soul, acceptance of people of color as full members of our society. As Charlene Jarvis spoke so eloquently, the film's most meaningful aspect can and will be a healing vehicle in our city and our country."

Chris White, Chairman, "I Have a Dream Foundation": "Wow, you really nailed it Everyone I've talked to agrees that 'Ellington's Washington's is your best work yet…completely engaging, informative, and so terribly important. As much as I pride myself on knowing Washington's illustrious history, you made it come alive in a brand new way. I can only imagine the footage you had to shoot to capture those extraordinary interviews. Your piece is going to be required viewing' for all of our 'I have A Dream' kids and their families."

Sam Smith, local historian: "This is a great thing you've done for the city."

Hugh Price, CEO, National Urban League: "Excellent program. It captured important history. It conforms with the experiences that I had growing up not far from Howard University, and it reaches back earlier in time. "

Karen Lynn Dyson, Aspen Institute: "Watching 'Duke Ellington's Washington' was an epiphany for me. It wasn't until I saw it that I understood that the whole value system in which I was brought up was the ethic of the black middle class, passed on from generation to generation. What you featured in Washington - the values, the sense of propriety, held true for me as a child of a middle class family in Massachusetts. Your program is the buzz of Washington's black community. Everywhere I go, people are talking about it. People just loved it."

Bonnie Rowan, Archivist: "Rick and Stanley - Bravo What a great show full of surprises in footage, stills and lovely storytellers…congratulations."

Maxwell Reinstein, CPA: "The Votes are in - 10 ˝ (out of 10)."

Deborah Strauss, Editor, Diversity magazine: "I absolutely loved the Ellington program. Why didn't the Post reviewer 'get' what you were doing…rather what you did do, brilliantly. Great work!"

Francine Trachtenberg, Vice President, WETA: I'm interested in doing outreach for 'Duke Ellington's Washington.' There are 29 public high schools in DC and I'd like to send each school two tapes, one to the history (social studies) department and another to the music program. Add to that figure, some copies for distribution to major libraries…Even before I saw the program on-air, I look ed at the web site and found it not only informative and attractive but also easy to use. Because the wiring for Internet access of DC Public Schools is so uneven, I am considering making print copies of several sections of the site to distribute along with the tapes."

Diane Bernstein, Chairman, DC Action for Children: "Absolutely superb. It's high time someone told the story of Washington's African-American community and its achievements. It's a real contribution."

Lisbeth Schorr, Author and Harvard University urban and community specialist: "We did get to see your wonderful Ellington/Washington Show, and found it just as moving and inspiring as we had been led to expect. Heartiest congratulations on a great coup!"

Larry Zox, New York City painter (voice mail): "Sha and I have just seen 'Duke Ellington's Washington.' It was really a knockout. We were really impressed by it. It's an awfully big story - bigger than the Duke, great musician that he was - with all the layers of the story. I wish I could hear your voice so I could tell you how much we were affected by it."

James Sams, DC businessman: "We thoroughly enjoyed your wonderful new film. It was absolutely superb. You have added many dimensions to the documentation, not only of the history of Washington, but also the entire country. Congratulations to you and to all those who worked with you on such an exciting film."

Julian Scheer, book publisher and retired PR executive, Paris, Va.: "I just saw 'Duke Ellington's Washington'. I thought it was terrific. I was completely taken with it. It's one of the best things I've ever seen you do."

Anne Boyd Smith, retired Baltimore store manager: "It was thrilling. I had no idea you could turn that story into such a fine film. It was really thrilling. It was one of your finest pieces of work."

Julia Moe, DC inner city arts volunteer: "What a superb film you all have produced. I've been telling everyone to watch it." (She saw Kennedy Center Premiere)

Gretchen Maynes, director, women's group: "Wonderful cultural history. Wonderful social history. What a superb film."

Norm Hugo, plastic surgeon: "Great Show. We loved it. It was very different from the other shows but even as enjoyable. Great going. Where do we send the Oscar?"

Cassie Ferguson, board member, Jubilee Jobs: "Congratulations on a great film and an important contribution to the city. We thoroughly enjoyed it. We hope PBS will rerun it and lots more people will get to see it."

Marianne Sanger, volunteer, Martha's Table, DC: " I've just seen "Duke Ellington's Washington". It is superlative. I work near U Street at Martha's table and I can see it changing. So it is nice to have you writing about the restoration of U Street to the way it used to be. The whole piece was great, and you look wonderful. I loved your work on Russia. I liked your book on power. We have followed you for a long time. We send Great congratulations on this new program."

Alan Zox, high tech sales representative: "I was blown away. Just a beautiful film, beautiful. It's as elegant as Ellington himself. I think he would be proud to be part of it. It's nice to see Susan's name in the credits twice….You are changing the landscape of how Americans are seeing themselves. This piece is an extension of what you've done before with Across the River, and Seeking Solutions."

Peggy Ann Turnbow, Washington native, now in Alexandria, Va: "I am writing to tell you how much I enjoyed the program, 'Duke Ellington's Washington.' It ws a stroll down memory lane. As a person growing up in segregated Washington, I truly congratulatge you on cpturing the spirit of those times. Since this program has been so well received by all the people I come into contact with, I certainly would like you to consider a follow-up piece. …Please include the influence of two landmark black churches, 19th Street Baptist Church and Metropolitan AME,…the importance of the Bachelor Bennedict Debutante Ball,…the great impact of the Robert H. Terrell Law School.…You mentioned Duke's stuyle of dressing and I might suggest that you give attention to further detail the assignment of status in the black community based on the demeanor, deportment, one's bearing and their cultured, polished polite behavior, professional status as well as attention to appropriate dress."

Peter Pelham, Maryland educator: "Isobel and I just saw your program last night and wanted to tell you how much we enjoyed it. Just great!"

Warren Rogers, former Hearst columnist: "Great job on Duke Ellington's Washington! We just loved the program - so colorful, lots of history, unusual stuff. Just what we want from PBS."

Malan Strong, retiree: "Your splendid documentary about the Shaw area was thoroughly enjoyed by all who saw it at the Terrace Theatre. Then to enjoy again on WETA was almost…a privilege. I have been a close friend of Nora Gregory's ever since she came on board the Library Trustees group…We have been through a lot together and value each other's friendship. As a youngster, I lived at 2013 5th Avenue in what was then the heart of Harlem. …It was amazing to find out about the Shaw neighborhood where (much earlier than the often-called Harlem Renaissance) the Duke and all the many show people had lived and performed. Thanks for all your work."

John Greco, NBC field producer: "Congratulations on 'Duke Ellington.' It was classy and smart and exciting to watch. "