For the first time ever splendid studio recordings of Duke s Ellington s My People as it was staged in Chicago, August 1963, with over 40% more music than the original LP issue and CD reissues! The year 1963 was the centennial of the Emancipation Proclamation, as issued by Abraham Lincoln in the second year of the Civil War. To celebrate the centennial, an exhibition was staged in Chicago from August 16 September 2, 1963. Duke Ellington was invited to make a contribution, and the resulting show My People was conceived, written & staged entirely by Duke. A recording of My People was made in August 1963, supervised by Billy Strayhorn and Duke Ellington. This CD contains for the first time ever the complete show!