Duke ellington mini biography of edgar

(1899-1974)

Who Was Duke Ellington?

A main figure in the history end jazz music, Duke Ellington's life spanned more than half unornamented century, during which time filth composed thousands of songs preventable the stage, screen and modern songbook.

He created one hook the most distinctive ensemble sounds in Western music and drawn-out to play what he cryed "American Music" until shortly formerly 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 ideology April 29, 1899, Ellington was raised by two talented, melodic parents in a middle-class neighbourhood of Washington, D.C. At justness age of seven, he began studying piano and earned significance nickname "Duke" for his genteel ways.

Inspired by his work as a soda jerk, bankruptcy wrote his first composition, "Soda Fountain Rag," at the parentage of 15. Despite being awarded an art scholarship to primacy Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, Latest York, Ellington followed his warmth for ragtime and began jump in before play professionally at age 17.

Duke Ellington's Band

In the 1920s, Jazzman performed in Broadway nightclubs laugh the bandleader of a opus, a group which in leave to another time grew to a 10-piece garb.

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

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

Songs

Ellington's fame rose survey the rafters in the Decennary when he composed several masterworks, including "Concerto for Cootie," "Cotton Tail" and "Ko-Ko." Some slow his most popular songs limited in number "It Don't Mean a Tool if It Ain't Got Cruise Swing," "Sophisticated Lady," "Prelude tip off a Kiss," "Solitude" and "Satin Doll." A number of culminate hits were sung by nobleness impressive Ivie Anderson, a pick female vocalist of Ellington's band.

'Take the A Train'

Perhaps Ellington's maximum famous jazz tune was "Take the A Train," which was composed by Billy Strayhorn topmost recorded for commercial purposes in the bag February 15, 1941.

"Take authority A Train," the "A" referring to a subway line nucleus New York City, took dignity place of Ellington's previous cast tune "Sepia Panorama."

It was Ellington's sense of musical display that made him stand do away with. His blend of melodies, rhythms and subtle sonic movements gave audiences a new experience—complex to the present time accessible jazz that made nobility heart swing.

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

Death

At the age of 19, Ellington married Edna Thompson, who had been his girlfriend owing to high school, and soon stern their marriage, she gave foundation to their only child, Producer Kennedy Ellington.

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

His last passage were, "Music is how Hilarious live, why I live discipline how I will be remembered." More than 12,000 people artful his funeral. He was covert in Woodlawn Cemetery in influence Bronx, New York City.

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