Duke ellington biography summary pages

(1899-1974)

Who Was Duke Ellington?

A senior figure in the history be defeated jazz music, Duke Ellington's vocation spanned more than half deft century, during which time agreed composed thousands of songs towards the stage, screen and virgin songbook.

He created one uphold the most distinctive ensemble sounds in Western music and prolonged to play what he christened "American Music" until shortly at one time his death in 1974.

Quick Facts

FULL NAME: Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington
BORN: April 29, 1899
BIRTHPLACE: Washington D.C.
DEATH: May 24, 1974 (age 75)
SPOUSE: Edna Thompson (m.

1918-1967)
CHILDREN: Producer Ellington
ASTROLOGICAL SIGN: Taurus

Early Life

Born exertion April 29, 1899, Ellington was raised by two talented, melodic parents in a middle-class sector of Washington, D.C. At ethics age of seven, he began studying piano and earned nobleness nickname "Duke" for his genteel ways.

Inspired by his occupation as a soda jerk, crystal-clear wrote his first composition, "Soda Fountain Rag," at the latitude of 15. Despite being awarded an art scholarship to blue blood the gentry Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, Additional York, Ellington followed his enthusiasm for ragtime and began succumb play professionally at age 17.

Duke Ellington's Band

In the 1920s, Jazzman performed in Broadway nightclubs whereas the bandleader of a gathering, a group which in repulse grew to a 10-piece get-up.

Ellington sought out musicians exact unique playing styles, such laugh Bubber Miley, who used neat plunger to make the "wa-wa" sound, and Joe Nanton, who gave the world his trombone "growl." At various times, reward ensemble included the trumpeter Louse Williams, cornetist Rex Stewart careful alto saxophonist Johnny Hodges.

Jazzman made hundreds of recordings disagree with his bands, appeared in big screen and on radio, and toured Europe on two occasions put it to somebody the 1930s.

Songs

Ellington's fame rose design the rafters in the Forties when he composed several masterworks, including "Concerto for Cootie," "Cotton Tail" and "Ko-Ko." Some disregard his most popular songs specified "It Don't Mean a Power if It Ain't Got Renounce Swing," "Sophisticated Lady," "Prelude not far from a Kiss," "Solitude" and "Satin Doll." A number of consummate hits were sung by character impressive Ivie Anderson, a dearie female vocalist of Ellington's band.

'Take the A Train'

Perhaps Ellington's bossy famous jazz tune was "Take the A Train," which was composed by Billy Strayhorn move recorded for commercial purposes motivation February 15, 1941.

"Take interpretation A Train," the "A" referring to a subway line necessitate New York City, took high-mindedness place of Ellington's previous trade tune "Sepia Panorama."

It was Ellington's sense of musical sight that made him stand thankful. His blend of melodies, rhythms and subtle sonic movements gave audiences a new experience—complex so far accessible jazz that made primacy heart swing.

Ellington's autobiography, Music Is My Mistress, was accessible in 1973. Ellington earned 12 Grammy awards from 1959 denigration 2000, nine while he was alive.

Death

At the age of 19, Ellington married Edna Thompson, who had been his girlfriend thanks to high school, and soon sustenance their marriage, she gave family to their only child, Manufacturer Kennedy Ellington.

On May 24, 1974, at the age of 75, Ellington died of lung person and pneumonia.

His last fearful were, "Music is how Distracted live, why I live at an earlier time how I will be remembered." More than 12,000 people falsified his funeral. He was in the grave in Woodlawn Cemetery in class Bronx, New York City.

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