Christopher Goff
Mr. Rogers
ELA
March 6, 2015
Duke Ellington

Duke Ellington was a major figure in the history of jazz music. During his career which lasted more than half of a century, he composed thousands of songs. Duke Ellington created one of the most distinctive ensemble sounds in Western Music, while still playing what he called “American Music”. Duke Ellington will forever remain one of jazz’s music innovators.
Edward Kennedy “Duke” Ellington was born on April 29, 1899. His parents were James Edward Ellington, and Daisy Kennedy Ellington. As a child growing up in Washington D.C, he loved music. At the age of four Duke listened to his mother play a popular piano tune called “The Rosary”, Duke cried saying the song was so pretty. …show more content…
At the age of 17, Duke was awarded a scholarship to the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York. Duke decided at the age of 17, to follow his passion for ragtime and play professionally. Duke was inspired to go professional by Fats Waller.
At the age of nine-teen Duke married his high school sweetheart, Edna Thompson. Shortly after being married Duke and Edna had their only child Mercer Kennedy Ellington. Duke first played in New York City, he later moved there. Duke led a sextet that later grew into a 10-piece ensemble. The blues based melodies, and a great band started off a great career for Duke. More residencies at the Cotton Club in Harlem motivated Duke to expand his band to fourteen musicians. From 1927-1930
Duke’s band became the House Band at the Cotton Club. As a composer was accredited with many hit singles that brought him great success. Duke sought musicians with exquisite playing styles such as Bubber Miley, who used a plunger to make the “wa-wa” sound. Duke also collaborated with Joe Nanton, who showed the world his trombone “growl”. Many times his ensemble included collaborations with the trumpeter Cootie Williams. Duke made many recordings with his band, starred in films, and toured Europe twice in the …show more content…
During this time Duke recorded many hits such as “Concerto for Cootie”. Some of Dukes most popular songs were “It Don’t Mean a Thing If It Aint Got That Swing,” “Prelude to Kiss,” “Solitude,” and “Satin Doll”. Many of his hits were sung by Ivie Anderson, a female vocalist in Duke’s band.
During his career Duke earned many awards such as the Presidential Medal Of Freedom, The Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, and twelve other Grammys. Also in 1959 Duke won the Spingarn Medal From the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, also known as the NAACP. Duke Ellington’s Most Famous quotes were “People do not retire they are retired by others,” and “You’ve got to find some way of saying it without saying it”.
Duke passed away in New York City On May 24, 1974, Duke died at the age of 75, from lung cancer and pneumonia. Duke’s last words were “Music is how I live, why I live, and how I will be remembered. Over 12,000 people attended his funeral. Duke Ellington was buried in Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx, New York City. Ellington’s sense of art was what really made him stand out. His style rhythm and elegance show people the real meaning of Jazz music. Duke Ellington showed everyone hos powerful music can be, by entertaining people with his expressive music. Duke Ellington will forever remain The Father of Jazz