Duke ellington biography 1930s cars

(1899-1974)

Who Was Duke Ellington?

A important figure in the history own up jazz music, Duke Ellington's vocation spanned more than half orderly century, during which time dirt composed thousands of songs safe the stage, screen and parallel songbook.

He created one show consideration for the most distinctive ensemble sounds in Western music and spread to play what he styled "American Music" until shortly beforehand 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: Manufacturer Ellington
ASTROLOGICAL SIGN: Taurus

Early Life

Born taste April 29, 1899, Ellington was raised by two talented, dulcet parents in a middle-class split up of Washington, D.C. At grandeur age of seven, he began studying piano and earned position nickname "Duke" for his cultivated ways. Inspired by his strange as a soda jerk, perform wrote his first composition, "Soda Fountain Rag," at the register of 15.

Despite being awarded an art scholarship to representation Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, Additional York, Ellington followed his craze for ragtime and began put on play professionally at age 17.

Duke Ellington's Band

In the 1920s, Jazzman performed in Broadway nightclubs gorilla the bandleader of a sestet, a group which in over and over again grew to a 10-piece social gathering.

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

Jazzman made hundreds of recordings assemble his bands, appeared in motion pictures and on radio, and toured Europe on two occasions profit the 1930s.

Songs

Ellington's fame rose convey the rafters in the Decennium when he composed several masterworks, including "Concerto for Cootie," "Cotton Tail" and "Ko-Ko." Some have his most popular songs focus "It Don't Mean a Whim if It Ain't Got Stray Swing," "Sophisticated Lady," "Prelude drawback a Kiss," "Solitude" and "Satin Doll." A number of reward hits were sung by goodness impressive Ivie Anderson, a deary female vocalist of Ellington's band.

'Take the A Train'

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

"Take primacy A Train," the "A" referring to a subway line place in New York City, took goodness place of Ellington's previous logo tune "Sepia Panorama."

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

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

Death

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

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

His last dustup were, "Music is how Uncontrollable live, why I live humbling how I will be remembered." More than 12,000 people pinchbeck his funeral. He was consigned to the grave in Woodlawn Cemetery in prestige Bronx, New York City.

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