PERSON TO PERSON {DUKE ELLINGTON, BILL ZORACH} (TV)

Summary

One in this series of live interview programs. In this edition, host Edward R. Murrow interviews bandleader Duke Ellington and sculptor William Zorach. First, Murrow visits jazz composer and bandleader Duke Ellington; his sister, Ruth Ellington James; and his son, Mercer Ellington, in their Manhattan apartment. Murrow and Ellington discuss the following topics, among others: Ellington's introduction to music, and the beginning of his career as a composer; his latest recording, "A Drum Is A Woman," from which he plays an excerpt; his inspiration and methods for writing music, in particular "Mood Indigo" and "Sophisticated Lady"; and his enjoyment of being a bandleader. During the discussion, Ellington shows Murrow around his apartment, pointing out his piano, trophies, family portraits, and a painting of his own. In the second segment, Murrow interviews sculptor William Zorach and his wife, painter Marguerite Zorach in their Brooklyn home. Their discussion includes the following topics: their early struggles as artists trying to gain recognition; their family life; the current prices of William's sculptures; his preferred materials for sculpting and some of his methods; and William's definition of art and his thoughts on the artist's reason for creating. Both Marguerite and William then display a few of their paintings and sculptures, commenting on inspirations for the works and the media used. Includes commercials.

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