"Black, Brown and Beige" and the Critics

An examination of the critical response to Duke Ellington's jazz suite, "Black, Brown and Beige" (1943) is presented. Although many of the criticisms of the first performance at Carnegie Hall were considered harsh and negative, DeVeaux cites the praise that was also lauded upon Ellington for his achievement in creating such a piece of music, as well as in awe of his career. The criticisms of the piece did, in fact, prevent Ellington from ever performing the piece again in its entirety again.