Today marks the 75th anniversary of Duke Ellington's groundbreaking 1941 musical revue 'Jump for Joy,' which challenged racial stereotypes and celebrated African-American pride through jazz and theatrical performance.

Ellington described 'Jump for Joy' as the 'hippest thing we ever did,' highlighting its cultural and social significance in promoting dignity and confronting racial discrimination during a turbulent era.

Inspired by a late-night party, the revue aimed to blend entertainment with social commentary, featuring Ellington's orchestra, emerging African-American talents like Dorothy Dandridge, and contributions from figures such as Langston Hughes and Billy Strayhorn.

Debuting at the Mayan Theater in Los Angeles on July 10, 1941, the show ran for 122 performances and was notable for rejecting stereotypical portrayals of Black people, with Ellington forbidding cast members from darkening their skin.

Despite receiving positive reviews, 'Jump for Joy' faced threats and violence due to its bold racial messages, which limited its Broadway potential and led to only a few revivals, though it significantly influenced later works like 'Black, Brown and Beige'.

The anniversary celebration includes a retrospective featuring Ellington's music from the show, commentary from scholars, and a recreation of Ellington's 1941 speech 'We, Too, Sing America,' emphasizing its lasting importance in American cultural history.