Edward Kennedy "Duke"  ELLINGTON

1899 Birth
29 April 1899
Washington, DC, USA

Biography
Duke Ellington, born Edward Kennedy Ellington on April 29, 1899, in Washington, D.C., was an American composer, pianist, and bandleader who became one of the most influential figures in the history of jazz. His career spanned over five decades, and he composed thousands of songs, many of which have become jazz standards.

Growing up in a middle-class African American family, Ellington began studying piano at a young age. His mother, Daisy Kennedy Ellington, was a pianist and instilled a love for music in him. Despite briefly studying art at the Pratt Institute, Ellington's true passion was always music. He formed his first group, The Duke's Serenaders, in his late teens and began playing at local events.

In the 1920s, Ellington and his band, known as the Washingtonians, moved to New York City, where they began to gain recognition. They eventually became the house band at the Cotton Club, a famous Harlem nightclub, which significantly boosted their popularity. The Cotton Club...Read MORE...

1974 Death
24 May 1974
Manhattan, New York, USA

He died at the age of 75.