Black, Brown and Beige was choreographed by Alvin Ailey in 1976 as part of the Bicentennial Celebration at Lincoln Center. The music of Duke Ellington was his inspiration. It was a sweeping portrayal of African American History, from slavery and emancipation to the present. Five pieces of Ellington’s music were used to celebrate the composer and multiculturalism: “Work Song”, “Come Sunday”, “West Indian Dance”, “Emancipation”, and “Sonnet for Caesar.”