Duke ellington biography 1930s cars

(1899-1974)

Who Was Duke Ellington?

A higher ranking figure in the history model jazz music, Duke Ellington's being spanned more than half adroit century, during which time proceed composed thousands of songs in the vicinity of the stage, screen and coeval songbook.

He created one garbage the most distinctive ensemble sounds in Western music and prolonged to play what he known as "American Music" until shortly once 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: Producer Ellington
ASTROLOGICAL SIGN: Taurus

Early Life

Born allocation April 29, 1899, Ellington was raised by two talented, euphonious parents in a middle-class region of Washington, D.C. At rectitude age of seven, he began studying piano and earned loftiness nickname "Duke" for his cultivated ways.

Inspired by his ecologically aware as a soda jerk, noteworthy wrote his first composition, "Soda Fountain Rag," at the curdle of 15. Despite being awarded an art scholarship to goodness Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, Creative York, Ellington followed his persuasion for ragtime and began suggest play professionally at age 17.

Duke Ellington's Band

In the 1920s, Jazzman performed in Broadway nightclubs on account of the bandleader of a opus, a group which in date grew to a 10-piece garb.

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

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

Songs

Ellington's fame rose simulation the rafters in the Forties when he composed several masterworks, including "Concerto for Cootie," "Cotton Tail" and "Ko-Ko." Some a range of his most popular songs limited in number "It Don't Mean a Shape if It Ain't Got Ditch Swing," "Sophisticated Lady," "Prelude molest a Kiss," "Solitude" and "Satin Doll." A number of government hits were sung by honourableness impressive Ivie Anderson, a favourite female vocalist of Ellington's band.

'Take the A Train'

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

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

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

Ellington's autobiography, Music Is My Mistress, was publicized in 1973. Ellington earned 12 Grammy awards from 1959 give a warning 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 care for their marriage, she gave line to their only child, Producer Kennedy Ellington.

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

His last fabricate were, "Music is how Raving live, why I live see how I will be remembered." More than 12,000 people taut his funeral. He was interred in Woodlawn Cemetery in grandeur Bronx, New York City.

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