Newspapers / The New Bern Mirror … / May 23, 1969, edition 1 / Page 1
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The man who first said fam iliarity breeds contempt was an observant Individual. So com monplace have space flights be come that few New Bernlans ex hibited excitement Sunday when Apollo 10 headed for the moon. It Is safe to speculate the launching drew far less local television astronants making the trip, but proof that earth lings have strong faith in the efficiency of the nation's lunar program. Duke Ellington, whose 70th birthday was celebrated at the White House on April 29, Is fondly remembered by folks in our town who have passed their own 50th milestone. His lasting fame was established a tliird of a century or more ago, when he composed Solitude, Mood Indi go, and our favorite,Sophisti cated Lady. It was hard to come by 75 cents in the Depression Thir ties, but the younger crowd along the rippling Neuse and tranquil Trent saved up their nickels and dimes to buy every phonograph record the Duke made. Listening to his band on radio was as much a part of living as eating, sleeping and breathing. Playing for Presidents is nothing new for Ellington. Tru man, Ike and Johnson turned to him on numerous occasions to entertain notable visitors. In cluding royalty, and he was never a disappointment. For our part, we'll always be glad that Don^d Smith, dur ing his distinguished reign as New Bern Hi^ school's incom parable music director, had the NBHS choir feature the Duke's huantlng^y beautiful melodies for what to us was the best Spring Concert ever produced by Smith. Ellington, a deeply religious m an, has leaned heavily toward sacred music in recent years. However, in addition to appear ances before church groups he and his band are in heavy demand for nl^t club and dance book ings. The Duke doesn't need tlie money, he's well fixed, but he can't resist the lifelong urge to do magic things with apianofor people who appreciate his God given talents. He doesn't steer clear of the hinterlands either, as is evidenced by a recent string of one-nighters in Iowa and Indiana. Ellington is tired, but for him retirement is unthinkable. Music as much as blood flows through his aging arteries, and nothing, not even his sell-out concerts at Carnegie Hall, is as close to his heart as a band stand, and a floor filled with happy couples. On second thouf^t, perhaps the sacred concerts are more satisfying to him. When first asked to play at San Francis co's Grace Catliedral, on September 16, 1965, he was fearful that It was out of his realm, and asked for time to "bolster up my eligibility." Six months after he had been approached by church officials while holding fourth in a small waterfront nightclub, the Duke fell he was ready to try. That concert tiad as its theme the first four words of the Bible— "In Uie beginning God." Writing .sacred music was a (Continued on Page 8) « Non Vmt4[niimi tldnntg fublto Elbrarg The N£W BERN FUBLItHIDWIIICLV IN THI HIART OP *««TIRN NORTH ■"'■ei' StT ’ 28560 VOLUME 12 NEW BERN, N. C. FRIDAY, MAY 23, 1969 NUMBER 9 NEW BERNIANS WHO APPRECIATE HISTORIC CHARM WILL FIND OLD SALEM WELL WORTH VISITING.
The New Bern Mirror (New Bern, N.C.)
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May 23, 1969, edition 1
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