Before then, an orchestration for a singer was usually something pretty tepid, and it was just background-that’s about all.
In Walter van de Leur’s biography, Something to Live For:The Music of Billy Strayhorn, Ellington is quoted as saying, “ the renaissance of vocal orchestration. “Flamingo” was on Duke Ellington’s short list of favorite recordings. At Jeffries 88th birthday, Grouya was in attendance and performed the number with Jeffries. You’re lucky I’m not asking to include my name on it as co-composer.” Once the tune was a hit, Grouya backed down. Jeffries told him, “You’re lucky when you brought it to me, you couldn’t even get to Ellington. Although RCA executive Leonard Joy wasn’t impressed with the recording, it was Ellington’s first number to hit the charts in 1941 and Jeffries’ second hit record.Īfter the recording was released, composer Grouya contacted Jeffries, upset that the singer had changed some of the words. Ellington heard him and said, “Whatever you’re playing, make a chart of it.” The music, with words added by Ellington chum Edmund Anderson, was “Flamingo.” Duke, needing one additional number for the band’s December 28, 1940, recording session for RCA Victor, recorded the tune. Later, I set it on my dressing-room table.” Arranger/pianist Billy Strayhorn saw the music, took it over to the piano and began playing it. Please, show my song to Monsieur Ellington.’ I said, `All right,’ and I put his music in my pocket. He says, in a French accent, ‘Monsieur Jeffries, I am Ted Grouya. In a 1993 interview with Don Ferguson for the San Diego Union-Tribune, Jeffries recalled: “I was going out for dinner and this little guy stops me at the stage door. Jeffries tells the tale of how, one night in 1940 while performing with the Duke Ellington band at the Pearl Theater in Philadelphia, a stranger approached him. By mid-1941 it had taken off in the hit parade and rose to #11.Ĭhart information used by permission from Joel Whitburn's Pop Memories 1890-1954 Vocalist Herb Jeffries introduced this standard with Duke Ellington’s orchestra. I came by Flamingo, and Duke Ellington delivered me. “Most people come to this world by stork.
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