Duke Ellington

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Duke Ellington

On this day in 1974, the world lost Duke Ellington - one of the greatest jazz band leaders of his time. 

From the Archives: Jazz Great Duke Ellington Dies in New ...

Listen to this awesome live performance of 'Perdido':


Ellington was one of the originators of big-band jazz, leading his own band for more than half a century. He composed thousands of scores and created on of the most distinctive ensemble sounds in all of Western music. 

Ellington grew up in Washington, D.C. where his family encouraged his interests in the fine arts and he began studying the piano aged seven. Inspired by ragtime performers, he began to perform professionally at age 17. 

69 Colebrooke Row: Duke Ellington - "I don't need time, I ...

Not limiting himself to jazz innovation, Ellington also wrote popular songs as "Don't Get Around Much Any More" and "Sophisticated Lady". He also became intrigued with the possibilities of composing jazz within classical forms and his output includes a recomposed, re-orchestrated version of Tchaikovsky's 'Nutcracker Suite'. Listen here to the overture: DHM YouTube Playlist. 


Sources: Encyclopaedia Britannica

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