Mercer Ellington
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Mercer Kennedy Ellington was an American musician, composer, and arranger. His father was Duke Ellington, whose band Mercer led for 20 years after his father's death.
Ellington in concert at the University of Rochester, 1975, photo by Tom Marcello
Della Reese
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Della Reese was an American singer, actress, television personality, author and ordained minister. As a singer, she recorded blues, gospel, jazz and pop. Several of her singles made the US Hot 100, in
Mercer Ellington
…returned to work for his father playing alto horn in 1950, and then as general manager and copyist from 1955 until 1959. In 1960, Ellington became Della Reese's musical director, then later went on take a job as a radio DJ in New York for three years beginning in 1962. In 1965, Ellington again returned to his…
Reese in 1965
Reese, c. 1961
Reese appearing in a Kraft Foods commercial, 1977
Reese at the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2009.