Duke Ellington
“Black, Brown and Beige”
Columbia Records
6 tracks @ 35:30
Grade = classic

My Dad passed away recently, peacefully. He had amassed a large collection of jazz.

While digging through some of his collection, I came across this disk. I had heard of this piece but I was not aware that gospel legend Mahalia Jackson was involved in the project. This composition has two main themes; “Work Song” and “Come Sunday.”

On the track referred to as “Part IV (Come Sunday),” Jackson hums an extra chorus. It is simply exquisite.

“Part VI” is the Twenty-third Psalm. According to the linear notes, Ellington asked Jackson to bring her Bible to the recording studio. He opened to Psalm 23, struck a chord, and asked Jackson to sing. Her vocal interpretation of “walk through the valley of death” is stunning, haunting and hopeful at the same time.

There are a few versions of “Black, Brown and Beige,” find the one with Mahalia Jackson on it.

This record is such an excellent reminder that if, when we use the term “contemporary Christian music,” we mean the use of “modern musical styles,” then CCM goes back much further than Larry Norman, Randy Stonehill and Keith Green. Sir Duke composed this piece in 1943. Let’s face it, “back in the day,” this piece would be as modern as it gets.

Thanks Dad.

- Rob S.