Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington

Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington (1899-1974) composer, musician, bandleader Ellington was one of the leading figures in jazz history. He was born in Washington, D.C. into a musical family. He was schooled in Washington, D.C. and came under the tutelage of Henry Grant at Armstrong High School, with whom he studied harmony. He began playing the piano at the age of six with Miss Clinkscales, studying later in his career with Will Marion Cook who had been a musical arranger for the vaudeville team Williams and Walker. Ellington got his nickname, "the Duke," while still in high school when he played for local social affairs. At that time he was also a visual artist, but decided in favor of a musical career. By 1919, he'd formed a small band and in the early 1920s, he moved to New York with his wife and son Mercer and played at Barron Wilkins' club. During the Harlem Renaissance, Ellington's band played at the exclusive Cotton Club which admitted white patrons only. He made his recording debut about 1924 and the band recorded under several names, such as the Jungle Band, the Whoopee Makers and the Harlem Footwarmers. Ellington began touring, playing Broadway shows and movies, in the late 1920s. He won increasing recognition as a musician with his compositions and orchestra. The Duke was an innovator and gave jazz a new feeling with his special effects, using instrument in new ways and infusing African and Latin elements into his music. Some of the people who influenced his music include pianists James P. Johnson and William "Willie the Lion" Smith. Ellington was the first jazz artist to use the concerto form in his work, as in "Concerto for Cootie," named for Charles "Cootie" Williams, a member of the band. Some of the other musicians who came through Ellington's organization are Ray Nance, Louis Bellson, Harry Carney, Lawrence Brown and Billy Strayhorn who collaborated with Ellington in his composing and arranging. Some of Ellington's more famous compositions include "Mood Indigo," "Sophisticated Lady," and "In a Sentimental Mood." He also did a series of "sacred jazz concerts" performed in churches such as St. John the Divine in New York and Westminster Abbey in London. He received numerous honors including 16 honorary doctorates from American universities, the Spingarn medal, the President's Gold Medal from Lyndon B. Johnson and the French Legion of Honor. Ellington's influence continued to grow and he inspired people like South African pianist Abdullah Ibrahim (Dollar Brand), jazz singer/composer Sathima Bea Benjamin and his son, Mercer Ellington, who became the band leader after his father's death in 1974. Stevie Wonder's song "Sir Duke " is in honor of Duke Ellington.

Some of the people who influenced his music include pianists James P. Johnson and William "Willie the Lion" Smith. Ellington was the first jazz artist to use the concerto form in his work, as in "Concerto for Cootie," named for Charles "Cootie" Williams, a member of the band. Some of the other musicians who came through Ellington's organization are Ray Nance, Louis Bellson, Harry Carney, Lawrence Brown and Billy Strayhorn who collaborated with Ellington in his composing and arranging. Some of Ellington's more famous compositions include "Mood Indigo," "Sophisticated Lady," and "In a Sentimental Mood." He also did a series of "sacred jazz concerts" performed in churches such as St. John the Divine in New York and Westminster Abbey in London. He received numerous honors including 16 honorary doctorates from American universities, the Spingarn medal, the President's Gold Medal from Lyndon B. Johnson and the French Legion of Honor.
Ellington's influence continued to grow and he inspired people like South African pianist Abdullah Ibrahim (Dollar Brand), jazz singer/composer Sathima Bea Benjamin and his son, Mercer Ellington, who became the band leader after his father's death in 1974. Stevie Wonder's song "Sir Duke " is in honor of Duke Ellington.