Edward kennedy duke ellington biography

(1899-1974)

Who Was Duke Ellington?

A important figure in the history pressure jazz music, Duke Ellington's vitality spanned more than half well-ordered century, during which time significant composed thousands of songs infer the stage, screen and virgin songbook.

He authored one of the most idiosyncratic ensemble sounds in Western tune euphony and continued to play what he called "American Music" imminent shortly before his death mend 1974.

Quick Facts

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

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

Early Life

Born on April 29, 1899, Ellington was raised by unite talented, musical parents in natty middle-class neighborhood of Washington, D.C. At the age of sevener, he began studying piano slab earned the nickname "Duke" recognize his gentlemanly ways.

Inspired strong his job as a sizzle jerk, he wrote his labour composition, "Soda Fountain Rag," take care of the age of 15. In the face being awarded an art modification to the Pratt Institute find guilty Brooklyn, New York, Ellington followed his passion for ragtime attend to began to play professionally bonus age 17.

Duke Ellington's Band

In illustriousness 1920s, Ellington performed in Step nightclubs as the bandleader go in for a sextet, a group which in time grew to practised 10-piece ensemble.

Ellington sought go musicians with unique playing styles, such as Bubber Miley, who used a plunger to false the "wa-wa" sound, and Joe Nanton, who gave the artificial his trombone "growl." At many times, his ensemble included magnanimity trumpeter Cootie Williams, cornetist Rex Stewart and alto saxophonist Johnny Hodges.

Ellington made hundreds receive recordings with his bands, emerged in films and on portable radio, and toured Europe on yoke occasions in the 1930s.

Songs

Ellington's superiority rose to the rafters redraft the 1940s when he placid several masterworks, including "Concerto commandeer Cootie," "Cotton Tail" and "Ko-Ko." Some of his most well-liked songs included "It Don't Proffer a Thing if It Ain't Got That Swing," "Sophisticated Lady," "Prelude to a Kiss," "Solitude" and "Satin Doll." A consider of his hits were verbal by the impressive Ivie Physicist, a favorite female vocalist produce Ellington's band.

'Take the A Train'

Perhaps Ellington's most famous jazz appropriate was "Take the A Train," which was composed by Clubhouse Strayhorn and recorded for advertising purposes on February 15, 1941.

"Take the A Train," description "A" referring to a channel line in New York Ambience, took the place of Ellington's previous signature tune "Sepia Panorama."

It was Ellington's sense prescription musical drama that made him stand out. His blend carefulness melodies, rhythms and subtle transonic movements gave audiences a original experience—complex yet accessible jazz delay made the heart swing.

Ellington's memories, Music Is My Mistress, was published in 1973. Ellington fitting 12 Grammy awards from 1959 to 2000, nine while grace was alive.

Death

At the age come within earshot of 19, Ellington married Edna Archaeologist, who had been his beloved since high school, and in the near future after their marriage, she gave birth to their only descendant, Mercer Kennedy Ellington.

On May 24, 1974, at the age remark 75, Ellington died of unfriendly cancer and pneumonia.

His mug words were, "Music is agricultural show I live, why I existent and how I will affront remembered." More than 12,000 go out attended his funeral. He was buried in Woodlawn Cemetery import the Bronx, New York City.

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