Duke Ellington

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Duke Ellington (Edward Kennedy Ellington, Washington, D.C., 29 April, 1899 - New York City, 24 May, 1974), was an American composer, pianist, and bandleader.

Through the ranks of Duke Ellington’s Orchestra passed some of the biggest names in jazz, including Johnny Hodges, Cootie Williams, Bubber Miley, Joe “Tricky Sam” Nanton, Barney Bigard, Ben Webster, Harry Carney, Sonny Greer, Otto Hardwick, Clark Terry, Jimmy Blanton, Ray Nance, Paul Gonsalves, and Wellman Braud. Many musicians stayed with him for decades. And while all of them were remarkable in their own right, and they all would have probably made it into the annals of jazz history no matter who they played for, it was Ellington’s genius as a composer, pianist, bandleader, celebrity personality, and, most importantly, arranger, that made them the most incredible orchestral unit in the history of jazz. His ability to write and arrange for personalities, rather than instruments, made every solo and every section of every arrangement breathe with character. A giant on the 20th century American cultural scene, Duke Ellington was widely regarded as a legend during his own lifetime.

Early life

Edward Kennedy Ellington was born on April 29, 1899 to James Edward Ellington and Daisy Kennedy Ellington. They lived with his maternal grandparents at 2129 Ward Place, NW in Washington, D.C. James Edward Ellington was born in Lincolnton, North Carolina on April 15, 1879 and moved to Washington, D.C. in 1886 with his parents.[4] Daisy Kennedy, was born in Washington, D.

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  • JazzCaravan

    FUZZ Guitar!!

    last week
  • ritaritz16

    Such BRILLIANCE :D looove

    23 days ago
  • allsoppy4

    <3

    March 2012
  • Priest_Loins

    Just great..

    February 2012
  • MusicHallofFame

    The Music Hall of Fame are delighted to induct Duke Ellington into the Class of 1958. Congratulations. Please vist our page too see the latest inductees into the Music Hall of Fame

    February 2012
  • Daydreamishly

    Tom & Jerry.

    January 2012
  • Lucasvitoriano

    Ellington at Newport

    January 2012
  • nacht_vogel

    i love Chloe

    December 2011
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