Ethnicity, race…and music

Django and Duke.

However remember that Django's relatives were treated as second class humans by the Nazis. For them Django wasn't pure white.

I would only guess. The one showing his teeth looks more Hispanic than African American. I did notice that in old photos of your family that you once posted when I first gotten to know you. I think you also posted pics of baby you 👶

Some people view race as two boxes. And some see race as a spectrum. You could take a person and in some areas the person would be considered white and in other areas the same person would be considered black.

I am delighted to read this! Years ago, travelling through France, we ended up on a little campsite just outside the city of Fontainebleau. It was a rural village called Samoreau on the banks of the river Seine. It seems that Django is burried in that area, and every year there is a big Django Rheinhard festival in Fontainebleau. All the gipsies with their trailercaravans gather on that little campsite, and actually a complete subfestival devellopped over the years on that campsite, lots of musicians and other people attend that campsite on these festivities. Days of music, dance and grillings. If you search on Youtube for camping Samoreau, you can find lots of uploaded vids of this event.

Ive idolized Duke since i was a child. Always wanted to play piano like him. After years of playing and experience, i have an even deeper understanding of what made/makes him so good... and how far away i am from being as good as he is.
Im also biased, tho. Jazz is special to me. Especially the classics. Grew up with it and have been playing jazz many years of my life. If any of you dont know who these two are... it would do you a great deal to learn.
:) cheers

The one looked familiar then I saw "Old Brit" mention Duke and I remembered Duke Ellington, I had to study the photo a bit, I think it's the Duke on the right. I guess in many way's, being very light skinned was a kind of blessing, but I've heard even the gorgeous Lena Horne still had to deal with racism. Sad when being able to "pass" was considered an asset.

Sammy Davis Jr. used to tell a joke: "My mother was born in San Juan. So I'm Puerto Rican, Jewish, colored and married to a white woman. When I move into a neighborhood, people start running four ways at the same time."

His mom was born in New York City of Afro-Cuban descent, actually. But why ruin a joke?

An iconic photo of Duke and Django.

I know they're musicians and I THINK the one is Duke Ellington, but not 100% sure. I have this fear it'll turn out to be Count Basie and I'll be embarrassed by my ignorance. Next time post Cab Calloway, him I know. ;)

I recognised Duke Ellington straight off - the other man I couldn't name from the photo.As to "who was who" - had I not known who the "Duke "was,I probably would have picked correctly,but at the same time,yes,I take your point bijoux.

i don't know who they are, but they look nearly the same in almost every way to me

No at first glance they both appear white to me. Of course in the US most black people have some European genes.

I certainly know Duke Ellington😐..i admit i can't recognize the other musician

Here's another good one with the Duke and Django:

Note the smile on the Duke's face!

Not by skin tone in the photo certainly. I wouldn’t even know for sure one was black.

Is the one on the right Cab Calloway?

Duke Ellington is on the right: I don't recognize the man on the left.

Duke Ellington ... and who?

The only clue to me is the hair but I might be wrong.

Yes, yet I am a detailed oriented person. Compare the noses. There's a big difference.

I do didn't know they made an album together. I need the look fir it. Django was a jazz guitar hero of mine, Duke, well he was The Duke!

Nope, but I'm pretty sure I recognize the black guy.

i would think so..

I honestly have to go by hair texture to figure it out.

Django was Romani so technically I think they derive from the Indian subcontinent if you go far enough back ... where does the arbitrary line between "white" and "brown" begin? Olive complexions or what? Are Palestinian Jews (e.g., JC) white? Are some southern Europeans white and others brown?

Oh well, I will just take this opportunity to throw in a gratutitous YouTube clip no one asked for because I never get tired of it lol (from the annual Django festival in the town where he retired)

[media=https://youtu.be/0kUbRxoMTM8]