From Easily Slip into Another World, which will be published this month by Knopf.

Toward the end of July 1971, I go to see Duke Ellington with his orchestra. This is at the High Chaparral, the big ballroom where I perform with the Dells, near 77th Street and Stony Island on the South Shore. There are hundreds of people in the crowd; it’s a lavish affair. I know my way around the place, so I slip backstage during intermission, hoping to be able to say something to him—just introduce myself and tell him how much I appreciate his music.…