She went to Syracuse University, where she majored in journalism. Pinkney was born in Washington, D.C., and raised in Connecticut.

The first official story she remembers writing was in second grade - it was about her family. Her mother is a teacher and her father is a great storyteller, so growing up surrounded by books and stories is what inspired Andrea Davis Pinkney to choose a career as an author. In 2010, Andrea's book entitled Sit-In: How Four Friends Stood Up By Sitting Down, was published on the 50th anniversary of the Greensboro, North Carolina, sit-ins of 1960. Pinkney's newest books include Meet the Obamas and Sojourner Truth's Step-Stomp Stride, which has garnered three starred reviews and has been named one of the 'Best Books of 2009' by School Library Journal. Woodson Award and Alvin Ailey, a Parenting Publication Gold medal winner. Duke had become a master maestro.īecause of Duke's genius, his Orchestra now had a musical mix like no other.Andrea Davis Pinkney is the New York Times bestselling author of more than 20 books for children, including the Caldecott Honor Book and Coretta Scott King Honor Book Duke Ellington, illustrated by Brian Pinkney Let it Shine: Stories of Black Women Freedom Fighters, a Coretta Scott King Honor Book and winner of the Carter G. But inside, Carnegie Hall was sizzling with applause. Outside, the winter wind was cold and slapping. Duke and his Orchestra performed on January 23, 1943. Few African-Americans had played at Carnegie Hall before. 'Black, Brown and Beige' sang the glories of dark skin, the pride of African heritage, and the triumphs of black people, from the days of slavery to years of civil rights struggle.ĭuke introduced 'Black, Brown, and Beige' at New York's Carnegie Hall, a symphony hall so grand that even the seats wore velvet. But Duke called it 'the music of my people.'Īnd to celebrate the history of African-American people, Duke composed a special suite he called 'Black, Brown and Beige.' A suite that rocked the bosom and lifted the soul. In time, folks said Duke Ellington's real instrument wasn't his piano at all - it was his Orchestra. Duke could blend their red-hot blips with a purple dash of brass from the trumpet section. He could swirl the butterscotch tones of Tricky Sam's horn with the silver notes of the alto saxophones.

Duke painted colors with his band's sound.

Duke ellington by andrea davis pinkney