This week includes commentary on jazz great Duke Ellington,
Andrew Jackson and the National Bank, and controversial
Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest. Duke Ellington —
(Almanac, July 3) Raised in middle-class Washington, D.C., this
black composer (1899–1974) led an orchestra that stood atop the
nationʼs jazz scene for four decades (1920s to the 60s)? He
moved to NYC in 1922 to pursue his musical dreams, playing for
theaters and dance clubs and developing a distinctive sound
characterized by blues and improvisation.A virtuoso pianist as
well, his best known works include the suite Black, Brown, and
Beige (1943) and the songs “Mood Indigo” and “Sophisticated
Lady.” National Bank or National Banking System — (Almanac, July
5) It wasAndrew Jackson (U.S. president from 1829 to 1837) who
proved to be the fiercest opponent of the early version of this
American economic institution? In 1832 Jackson vetoed a bill to
renew its charter (not scheduled to expire till 1836), and then
proceeded to remove the U.S. s