In 2002 John Fass Morton started to write a book called Backstory in Blue: Ellington at Newport '56. He'd previously written a book on well-known navy family titled, Mustin: A Naval Family in the 20th Century, which was released in 2003.

Backstory in Blue: Ellington at Newport '56 is based on Duke Ellington's legendary Newport Jazz Festival set. Morton not only covers Ellington's performance and jazz culture at the time but has added an extra layer of depth that other accounts have never touched on, delving into the lives of the audience members at the show.

Morton, who lived in Newport (RI) as a child (too young to attend the concert) had the idea for the book almost twelve years ago after listening to the riveting and ground-breaking performance while driving in his car.

The story, not so concisely, was that Ellington and his band were scheduled to play the Newport Jazz Festival, one last shot for an all but dying band. But the concert ran so long that by the time Ellington's band had set up and were ready to play the audience had begun to leave. Moments before they took the stage Gonsalves, the sax soloist, wasn't sure what he was expected to do, Ellington just told him that he was going to bring him in then take him out but added, "Just go in there and blow your tail off." Just a little before midnight that's exactly what Gonsalves did.

The Diminuendo in Blue/Crescendo in Blue solo, which lasted 27 choruses in a little over six astonishing minutes, stopped people in their tracks. Then, magic. The audience applauded, whistled, shouted and at one point the audience had been whipped into such a frenzy that the glorious music could barely be heard.

It was a performance that would be no less than a landmark rebirthing of Ellington's band.


Morton, in addition to the book itself, will have his hand in making the documentary film based on the historic event. The film, One Night in Newport, will be shot over the summer and will feature Billy Dee Williams (Lando Calrissian) as narrator. Morton noted how much he liked Williams throughout the years and thought he'd be that perfect touch for the jazz doc.

A nice interview relating to the historic show

I might have a sample of Diminuendo/Crescendo at some point...if time allows. I'll check into that.

The cool connection?
The Empire Strikes Back.
Morton, who played Dak Ralter (the one who died in the X-Wing piloted by Luke Skywalker at the battle of Hoth) also played Boba Fett (standing in for Jeremy Bulloch who couldn't be on set) next to Williams' Lando Calrissian.

Morton felt as if his life had come full circle on a few levels...obviously.

The book, published by Rutgers University Press, and the film will both be released in 2008.