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Duke Ellington: Big Band Music During The Harlem Renaissance

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Duke Ellington is known to be as one of the innovators to formulating the concept known as Big Band music today. Big Band music is known for its swing style manner that became famous thanks to the famous clarinetist Benny Goodman. Benny Goodman was hired by Fletcher Henderson who was known to have his arrangements broadcast on the radio that was sweeping the nation, this helped aid the new style to reaching national ears. As for any musician in the game it is important on how to get your content out there in order to increase your fan base. This is exactly what the people focused on in the Harlem Renaissance, getting their stuff out there for the public opinion. That is why Ellington’s compositions would be a part of movies, stage, and contemporary …show more content…
Ellington has composed thousands of songs that have revolutionized what “American” music from a European structure to a Negro structure. Ellington has been awarded 12 Grammy awards from 1959-2000, he received 9 while alive. Ellington is known for his masterworks, a few of which are “It Don’t Mean a Thing if It Isn’t Got That Swing,” “Sophisticated Lady,” “Prelude to a Kiss,” “Solitude,” and “Satin Doll”. Ellington married his high school sweetheart, Edna Thompson, when he was 19 and she had his only child as well, Mercer Kennedy Ellington. On May 24, 1974, at the age of 75 due to lung cancer and pneumonia, Duke Ellington past away in his sleep. Duke Ellington’s last words, “Music is how I live, why I live and how I will be remembered.” Ellington was buried in Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx, New York City. Although he is no longer alive we have his legacy, music, and ambition to remember him by. The jazz legend will always be remembered and reverenced for his renowned music and dynamic personality. He was awarded with numerous awards from the Presidents of The United States, Grammys, Pulitzer, and the French Legion Of

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