Duke Ellington (1899-1974)

Born April 29, 1899, in Washington DC, composer, bandleader, and pianist Edward Kennedy (“Duke”) Ellington was recognized in his lifetime as one of the greatest jazz composers and performers.

Duke began learning to play piano at age 7, and his earliest influences were the ragtime pianists.

He made his professional debut at age 17. Duke Ellington is known for many interesting styles of music. He composed jazz symphonies, such as Harlem and Black, Brown, and Beige. He is known for his “call-and-response” styles, shown in such pieces as Cotton Tail, which we will listen to today. He was also great at improvisation.

Ellington’s work has most certainly been a major influence in the modern jazz world. His many honors and awards included honorary doctorates from Howard and Yale Universities, membership in the American Institute of Arts and Letters, election as the first jazz musician member of the Royal Music Academy in Stockholm, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.