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Duke Ellington

Duke Ellington

Born: 29th April 1899, Washington, D.C., U.S.

Died: 24th May 1974, New York City, U.S.

Nationality: American

Artist's website: http://www.dukeellington.com/

Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington was an American jazz pianist, composer, and leader of his eponymous jazz orchestra from 1923 through the rest of his life.

Born and raised in Washington, D.C., Ellington was based in New York City from the mid-1920s and gained a national profile through his orchestra's appearances at the Cotton Club in Harlem. A master at writing miniatures for the three-minute 78 rpm recording format, Ellington wrote or collaborated on more than one thousand compositions; his extensive body of work is the largest recorded personal jazz legacy, and many of his pieces have become standards. He also recorded songs written by his bandsmen, such as Juan Tizol's "Caravan", which brought a Spanish tinge to big band jazz.

Further Reading: Duke Ellington

Classic Recordings, Ellington, Mingus & Roach - Money Jungle

One of the most exciting trio recordings in jazz, Duke Ellington, Charles Mingus and Max Roach's Money Jungle is the sound of three super-sized egos thrashing out their differences in the studio.

Artist Anthologies, A fascinating Duke Ellington biography by Terry Teachout

Matt explores Duke Ellington's life and music through Terry Teachout's biography, which paints a picture of both the musician and the world he was working in.

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