The Funkhouser of Bloom/Funkhouser is not Marty Funkhouser, from Curb Your Enthusiasm, played by the great Bob Einstein, although there was a 2008 movie entitled Einstein and Eddington (not Ellington) about the relationship between Albert Einstein (the scientist, not Bob’s brother, better known as Albert Brooks) and British scientist Sir Arthur Stanley Eddington. Too bad.

Also too bad was that the salute to the Duke was performed on piano (as it should be) and flute (as it shouldn’t be). Just because you can (both members of the duo are accomplished musicians), doesn’t mean you should. See Jurassic Park.

Where’s a saxophone when you need one?

As far as I can tell, the first time a flute was played in Ellington’s band was 1970, 31 years after a 24-year-old Billy Strayhorn penned “Take the ‘A’ Train” for Ellington and only four years before Ellington passed away, though I’m not suggesting that the introduction of the flute into the group was in some way a causal factor. Ian Anderson is still performing at age 78.