On the Road with Duke Ellington

Shot in 1967 and first broadcast on television following Ellington's death six years later, this documentary about one of America's most important composers is a disarmingly low-key look back at his busy daily life. Cinema vérité filmmaker Robert Drew captures a genial Ellington rehearsing and composing in the studio, conducting his business, and dining on a daily breakfast of steak, potatoes, and hot water. (At one point, Ellington has to appeal to the front desk of a hotel to make his drinking water hot: "it's very important," he insists.) We also see Ellington attending the funeral of longtime musical partner Billy Strayhorn and reflecting happily on his days of touring. As for performance footage, yes, there's plenty of that, though visual and audio qualities leave something to be desired. Recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (T. Keogh)