Duke Ellington
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Born: April 29, 1899 in Washington, D.C.
Died: May 24, 1974 in New York, New York
Died: May 24, 1974 in New York, New York
Duke Ellington is
considered one of the
greatest jazz composers
and bandleaders. He was
one of the originators of
big-band jazz and led his
band for over 50 years. He
composed thousands of
scores and recorded
hundreds of pieces.
Ellington grew up in a
middle-class home in
Washington, D.C. He
began playing the piano at
age seven and went on to
study art in high school. He
was offered a scholarship to
attend the Pratt Institute in
Brooklyn, New York but did
not accept. He began to
perform professionally at
age 17. Ellington first
played in New York City in
1923 and soon moved
there. He began leading a
sextet which grew into a
10-piece ensemble.
considered one of the
greatest jazz composers
and bandleaders. He was
one of the originators of
big-band jazz and led his
band for over 50 years. He
composed thousands of
scores and recorded
hundreds of pieces.
Ellington grew up in a
middle-class home in
Washington, D.C. He
began playing the piano at
age seven and went on to
study art in high school. He
was offered a scholarship to
attend the Pratt Institute in
Brooklyn, New York but did
not accept. He began to
perform professionally at
age 17. Ellington first
played in New York City in
1923 and soon moved
there. He began leading a
sextet which grew into a
10-piece ensemble.
Ellington played at the Cotton Club in Harlem between 1927-32 and again in
1937-38. He enlarged his band to 14 musicians. His band included excellent
musicians such as trumpeter Cootie Williams, cornetist Rex Stewart, trombonist
Lawrence Brown, baritone saxophonist Harry Carney, alto saxophonist Johnny
Hodges, and clarinetist Barney Bigard. Ellington and his band toured Europe in
1933 and 1939.
Ellington allowed his musicians to be showcased in his band. For example,
Ellington composed a work “Concerto for Cootie” which allowed Cootie Williams
to play solos. Ellington in 1931 began to compose pieces such as Creole
Rhapsody, Reminiscing in Tempo, and Diminuendo in Blue/Crescendo in Blue.
Ellington also wrote scores for movies such as The Asphalt Jungle (1950) and
Anatomy of a Murder (1959). Ellington also wrote popular songs such as “Prelude
to a Kiss,” “Don’t Get Around Much Any More,” and “Sophisticated Lady.”
Ellington also composed works which were a mix of jazz and classical music.
Some of his classical pieces include Liberian Suite (1947), Far East Suite
(1964), and Togo Brava Suite (1971).
1937-38. He enlarged his band to 14 musicians. His band included excellent
musicians such as trumpeter Cootie Williams, cornetist Rex Stewart, trombonist
Lawrence Brown, baritone saxophonist Harry Carney, alto saxophonist Johnny
Hodges, and clarinetist Barney Bigard. Ellington and his band toured Europe in
1933 and 1939.
Ellington allowed his musicians to be showcased in his band. For example,
Ellington composed a work “Concerto for Cootie” which allowed Cootie Williams
to play solos. Ellington in 1931 began to compose pieces such as Creole
Rhapsody, Reminiscing in Tempo, and Diminuendo in Blue/Crescendo in Blue.
Ellington also wrote scores for movies such as The Asphalt Jungle (1950) and
Anatomy of a Murder (1959). Ellington also wrote popular songs such as “Prelude
to a Kiss,” “Don’t Get Around Much Any More,” and “Sophisticated Lady.”
Ellington also composed works which were a mix of jazz and classical music.
Some of his classical pieces include Liberian Suite (1947), Far East Suite
(1964), and Togo Brava Suite (1971).
Duke Ellington Tours Europe (video)
Diminuendo In Blue & Crescendo In Blue
Duke Ellington & His Orchestra
Duke Ellington & His Orchestra