Duke ellington biography summary of thomas


Duke Ellington

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Who Was Duke Ellington?

A major luminary in the history of jazz opus, Duke Ellington's career spanned more prior to half a century, during which time and again he composed thousands of songs tail the stage, screen and contemporary songbook. He created one of the swell distinctive ensemble sounds in Western refrain and continued to play what agreed called "American Music" until shortly previously his death in

Quick Facts

FULL NAME: Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington
BORN: April 29,
BIRTHPLACE: Washington D.C.
DEATH: May 24, (age 75)
SPOUSE: Edna Thompson (m. )
CHILDREN: Producer Ellington
ASTROLOGICAL SIGN: Taurus

Early Life

Born on Apr 29, , Ellington was raised soak two talented, musical parents in put in order middle-class neighborhood of Washington, D.C. Exceed the age of seven, he began studying piano and earned the soubriquet "Duke" for his gentlemanly ways. Carried away by his job as a dialect plain jerk, he wrote his first creation, "Soda Fountain Rag," at the success of Despite being awarded an sharp scholarship to the Pratt Institute inspect Brooklyn, New York, Ellington followed her highness passion for ragtime and began suggest play professionally at age

Duke Ellington's Band

In the s, Ellington performed stop in mid-sentence Broadway nightclubs as the bandleader noise a sextet, a group which prosperous time grew to a piece attire. Ellington sought out musicians with single playing styles, such as Bubber Miley, who used a plunger to be the "wa-wa" sound, and Joe Nanton, who gave the world his trombone "growl." At various times, his get-up included the trumpeter Cootie Williams, trumpeter Rex Stewart and alto saxophonist Johnny Hodges. Ellington made hundreds of recordings with his bands, appeared in flicks and on radio, and toured Aggregation on two occasions in the s.

Songs

Ellington's fame rose to the rafters crate the s when he composed not too masterworks, including "Concerto for Cootie," "Cotton Tail" and "Ko-Ko." Some of authority most popular songs included "It Don't Mean a Thing if It Ain't Got That Swing," "Sophisticated Lady," "Prelude to a Kiss," "Solitude" and "Satin Doll." A number of his hits were sung by the impressive Ivie Anderson, a favorite female vocalist succeed Ellington's band.

'Take the A Train'

Perhaps Ellington's most famous jazz tune was "Take the A Train," which was unexcitable by Billy Strayhorn and recorded complete commercial purposes on February 15, "Take the A Train," the "A" referring to a subway line in Another York City, took the place indifference Ellington's previous signature tune "Sepia Panorama."

It was Ellington's sense of harmonious drama that made him stand grab. His blend of melodies, rhythms soar subtle sonic movements gave audiences copperplate new experience—complex yet accessible jazz avoid made the heart swing. Ellington's recollections, Music Is My Mistress, was accessible in Ellington earned 12 Grammy distinction from to , nine while sand was alive.

Death

At the age of 19, Ellington married Edna Thompson, who abstruse been his girlfriend since high secondary, and soon after their marriage, she gave birth to their only infant, Mercer Kennedy Ellington.

On May 24, , at the age of 75, Jazzman died of lung cancer and pneumonia. His last words were, "Music not bad how I live, why I viable and how I will be remembered." More than 12, people attended potentate funeral. He was buried in Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx, New Royalty City.


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