Duke Ellington was an influential American jazz pianist and composer, known for leading his own orchestra from 1924 until his death in 1974.
Ellington's childhood was marked by a strong sense of racial pride and musical influence from his parents, both of whom were pianists.
He formed his first band, "The Duke's Serenaders," in 1919, which marked the beginning of his illustrious music career.
Biography
Early Life
Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington was born on April 29, 1899, in Washington, D.C., to James Edward Ellington and Daisy Kennedy Ellington, both of whom were pianists. Growing up in a family that valued music and racial pride, Duke began taking piano lessons at the age of seven. His mother, Daisy, surrounded him with dignified women to instill elegance and manners, while his friends affectionately nicknamed him "Duke" due to his noble demeanor. Despite his early interest in music, he was initially more captivated by baseball.
Career
Ellington's professional journey began in 1917 when he worked as a freelance sign painter while assembling musical groups for dances. By 1919, he had formed his first band, "The Duke's Serenaders," and began performing at various events, gaining popularity in both African-American and white communities during a time of segregation. His big break came in 1924 when he became the leader of his own orchestra, which would become one of the most celebrated jazz ensembles in history. Ellington's innovative compositions, such as "It Don't Mean A Thing," showcased his unique style and solidified his reputation as a leading figure in jazz music.
Personal Life
Duke Ellington married his high school sweetheart, Edna Thompson, in 1918, and they had one son, Mercer. However, the couple separated in the late 1920s. Throughout his life, Ellington had several significant relationships, including a long-term partnership with Mildred Dixon, who inspired many of his famous compositions. He was also a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity and a Freemason, reflecting his commitment to community and brotherhood.
Legacy
Duke Ellington passed away on May 24, 1974, leaving behind a rich legacy in the world of music. He received numerous accolades, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. His influence continues to be celebrated, with memorials and institutions, such as the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, D.C., dedicated to his memory. In 2009, he became the first African American to appear alone on a circulating U.S. coin, further cementing his status as a cultural icon.
Collected from open sources (4) · facts link to sources · AI-processed
Discography
The Duke At Tanglewood1966
- 1.Caravan4:48
- 2.Mood Indigo3:00
- 3.The Mooch3:29
- 4.Love Scene2:31
- 5.I Let A Song Go Out Of My Heart2:52
- 6.I'm Beginning To See The Light2:43
- 7.Do Nothin' 'Til You Hear From Me2:45
- 8.Sophisticated Lady3:23
- 9.Timon Of Athens March3:07
- 10.Solitude3:02
- 11.I Got It Bad And That Ain't Good4:11
- 12.Satin Doll2:32
Ella at Duke’s Place1966
- 1.Something to Live For3:33
- 2.A Flower Is a Lovesome Thing4:58
- 3.Passion Flower4:36
- 4.I Like the Sunrise3:24
- 5.Azure6:50
- 6.Imagine My Frustation4:47
- 7.Duke's Place4:08
- 8.Brown Skin Gal in the Calico Gown5:02
- 9.What Am I Here For5:30
- 10.Cotton Tail3:40
Serenade to Sweden1966
- 1.Serenade to Sweden3:10
- 2.The Boy in My Dreams2:30
- 3.Stoona2:53
- 4.La de Doody Doo2:15
- 5.Strange Visitor2:30
- 6.Azure2:50
- 7.Come Sunday4:50
- 8."C" Jam Blues2:36
- 9.I Didn't Know About You4:10
- 10.Satin Doll2:55
- 11.Take Love Easy3:22
- 12.Babsie2:05
- 13.(I Want) Something to Live For2:48
- 14.I'm Beginning to See the Light2:38
- 15.Untitled Lullaby2:33
Concert of Sacred Music1966
- 1.In the Beginning God15:54
- 2.Tell Me It’s the Truth2:50
- 3.Come Sunday3:53
- 4.The Lord’s Prayer2:42
- 5.Come Sunday6:05
- 6.Will You Be There? / Ain’t but the One4:43
- 7.New World A-Coming8:27
- 8.David Danced Before the Lord With All His Might6:32
Duke Ellington, Fletcher Henderson, Artie Shaw and Their Orchestras1965
- 1.Molten Swing
- 2.Minor Riff
- 3.Satchel Mouth Baby
- 4.King Porter Stomp
- 5.Tulip or Turnip
- 6.It Shouldn't Happen to a Dream
- 7.Night and Day
- 8.Along With Me
- 9.For You, for Me, for Evermore
- 10.I Believe
Duke Ellington Meets Coleman Hawkins1963
- 1.Limbo Jazz5:13
- 2.Mood Indigo5:57
- 3.Ray Charles' Place4:06
- 4.Wanderlust5:02
- 5.You Dirty Dog4:19
- 6.Self Portrait (of the Bean)3:52
- 7.The Jeep Is Jumpin'4:49
- 8.The Ricitic5:52
The Great Reunion1963
- 1.It Don't Mean a Thing4:01
- 2.Solitude4:57
- 3.Don't Get Around Much Anymore3:34
- 4.I'm Beginning to See the Light3:39
- 5.Just Squeeze Me4:01
- 6.I Got It Bad and That Ain't Good5:33
- 7.Azalea5:06
Duke Ellington & John Coltrane1963
- 1.In a Sentimental Mood4:12
- 2.Take the Coltrane4:40
- 3.Big Nick4:25
- 4.Stevie4:20
- 5.My Little Brown Book5:20
- 6.Angelica5:56
- 7.The Feeling of Jazz5:30
The Early Duke Ellington1963
- 1.Harlem Speaks3:16
- 2.Tiger Rag2:50
- 3.I Would Do Anything for You3:00
- 4.Ain’t Misbehavin’2:56
- 5.I’m Just Wild About Harry2:49
- 6.Hyde Park3:02
- 7.I’m Crazy ’Bout My Baby2:40
- 8.St. Louis Blues3:10
- 9.Chicago2:54
- 10.Don’t Try Your Jive on Me2:53
Money Jungle1962
- 1.Money Jungle5:25
- 2.Les Fleurs Africaines (African Flower)3:32
- 3.Very Special4:25
- 4.Warm Valley3:30
- 5.Wig Wise3:20
- 6.Caravan4:15
- 7.Solitude5:30
Piano in the Foreground1961
Tracklist not collected yet.
First Time! The Count Meets the Duke1961
- 1.Battle Royal5:36
- 2.To You3:57
- 3.Take the "A" Train3:49
- 4.Until I Met You4:57
- 5.Wild Man5:45
- 6.Segue in C8:25
- 7.B D B4:05
- 8.Jumpin' at the Woodside3:07
Recording Together for the First Time1961
- 1.Duke’s Place5:04
- 2.I’m Just a Lucky So and So3:09
- 3.Cottontail3:42
- 4.Mood Indigo3:56
- 5.Do Nuthin’ Till You Hear From Me2:38
- 6.The Beautiful American3:08
- 7.Black and Tan Fantasy4:00
- 8.Drop Me Off in Harlem3:50
- 9.The Mooche3:41
- 10.In a Mellow Tone3:46
Blues in Orbit1960
Tracklist not collected yet.
Dance Air Force Date 19601960
Tracklist not collected yet.
Back to Back: Duke Ellington and Johnny Hodges Play the Blues1959
Tracklist not collected yet.
Side by Side1959
Tracklist not collected yet.
At Newport1956
Tracklist not collected yet.
The Duke Plays Ellington1954
Tracklist not collected yet.
Piano Reflections1953
Tracklist not collected yet.
Mercer Records Presents the Billy Strayhorn Trio1951
Tracklist not collected yet.
Black Brown and Beige: A Duke Ellington Tone Parallel to the American Negro1946
Tracklist not collected yet.
One Night Stand1945
Tracklist not collected yet.
The Duke1940
Tracklist not collected yet.
It Don't Mean A Thing
Tracklist not collected yet.
Gallery
Label
- Record label
- Columbia Records
- Record label
- Decca
- Record label
- Philips Records
Achievements
- Award
- Spingarn Medal
- Award
- Presidential Medal of Freedom
- Award
- Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award
- Award
- Grammy Trustees Award
- Award
- German Film Award for best original music
- Award
- Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
- Award
- star on Hollywood Walk of Fame
- Award
- Pulitzer Prize Special Citations and Awards
- Award
- Songwriters Hall of Fame
Groups
- Duke Ellington & His Washingtonianseponymouscurrent
- Duke Ellington & the Jungle Bandeponymouscurrent
- Duke Ellington Quarteteponymouscurrent
- Duke Ellington and His Orchestraeponymouscurrent
- Duke Ellington’s Hot Fiveeponymouscurrent
- Duke Ellington’s Jazz Ensembleeponymouscurrent
- Duke Ellington’s Spacemeneponymouscurrent
- The Duke Ellington Trioeponymouscurrent
- Billy Strayhorn Triopiano
- Duke Ellington & His Bandeponymous, original
- Duke Ellington Octeteponymous, original, piano
- Duke Ellington and His Rhythmeponymous, original
- Leonard Feather’s Esquire All‐Americans
- Mills' Ten Black Berries
- The Duke Ellington Sexteteponymous, original
- The Harlem Footwarmers
- The Washingtonians
Similar artists
Archive
Passport
Identifiers & aliases
Also known as: D Ellington, D. Ellington, Duke Elington, Duke Elinton, Duke Elligton, Duke Elliington
Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington was an American jazz pianist, composer, and leader of his eponymous jazz orchestra from 1924 through the rest of his life. Music critic Ralph J. Gleason called him "America's most important composer".
All links
Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
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