DUKE ELLINGTON’S NEPHEW HAPPY TO BE HOMELESS

DUKE ELLINGTON’S NEPHEW HAPPY TO BE HOMELESS



NEW YORK (Wireless Flash) – Living on the streets might give some musicians the blues – but not violinist John Ellington Blair. The 58-year-old great-grand-nephew of jazz great Duke Ellington actually chooses to live in New York’s Central Park, and says the place inspires some “beautiful music.” Blair has worked with Frank Sinatra and Stevie Wonder, but he claims he’d rather perform in the streets than deal with club owners who don’t give him a fair cut at gigs. The musician has been homeless on and off for ten years and says the set-up allows him to control 100 percent of CD sales and contributions. However, Blair doesn’t want to be homeless forever so he’s publicizing his situation in hopes some symphony orchestra will hire him as a musical director.

Wed 09-12-01