Duke Ellington originated "Flamingo" (Ted Grouya - Edmund Anderson) probably best known with the Billy Strayhorn 1940 arrangement and Herb Jeffries (Valentino) vocal. Herb was once married to exotic dancer Tempest Storm. "Flamingo" is now considered a jazz standard. Herb has said "Most people come to this world by stork. I came by Flamingo, and Duke Ellington delivered me. And It's flown me all over the world."

Earl Bostic's 1951 version of "Flamingo" topped the R&B chart on Billboard and was his signature tune. This a track on his LP "Earl Bostic and his Alto Sax" released later that year. Jazz legends John Coltrane and Stanley Turrentine were once members of his band.