I have often been asked what it was that motivated me, an actor, to make this film.

 

As a youth growing up in Brooklyn, New York in the 1930s and 40s, I had three role models:  my father, Paul Robeson, and Duke Ellington.  It was essential, particularly in those days, for an African-American child to have positive images with whom to identify and to admire.  Wading successfully through the fetid swamp of racism in the America of those days required self-confidence, ambition, indomitability, a thick skin, patience, and above all, optimism about ones ability to survive and prosper.   I got all that and more from my idols. 

 

Duke Ellington projected his own special dignity and excellence, eloquently counterbalancing the racist caricatures of African Americans Hollywood was churning out. The awareness that Ellington was up there on the very top helped me to get through those grim, depressing and uncertain days with my head up.

 

Later, as an actor, I felt a need to become involved in projects meaningful to me, rather than waiting around for the telephone to ring, which is the unfortunate pastime of the majority of actors.  So, I took film courses at the University of California, Los Angeles School of Theater, Film, and Television, and set about learning all I could about film production and direction, opened a production office in West Hollywood, formed a corporation, surrounding myself with skilled and experienced co-workers.  Among the challenges I faced was my obsession with the idea of creating a film documentary about Duke Ellington that could be a fitting way of repaying a debt of gratitude.  That realization turned out to require several years of patient development, archival research and fundraising.  

 

It has proved to be one of the happiest experiences of my entire professional life.

 

-Terry Carter