The first thing he talked about with Washington was Duke Ellington in the late 1930s and early ’40s — “a great moment in the sound of his orchestra,” Desplat says.

The Broadway world also enjoyed Jamison’s talents as she starred in the Duke Ellington revue “Sophisticated Ladies” in 1981.

"If I could have chosen my last words to Quincy before he made that transition, I would have to borrow something that Duke Ellington would always say: 'Quincy, I love you madly.'"

And as Duke Ellington would say before announcing his ensembles at live concerts with his big band: “We do love you madly.”

Those trips, often through hostile territory, were a harsh crucible, keeping Ellington, Basie and Armstrong away from home and family for lonely months at a time.