American photographer Gordon Parks was a teenager when he first met Edward Kennedy ​“Duke” Ellington behind a Minneapolis theatre in 1929. Parks was enthralled by Ellington’s style, grace, and talent and the composer became one of his personal heroes.

Decades later, now an acclaimed documentary photographer, Parks had the opportunity to tour with Ellington and his band. These photographs, including this image in the GRAM’s collection, reveal Ellington as a charismatic performer and Parks later described the tour with Ellington as ​“a trip through paradise.”