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EDWARD KENNEDY “DUKE” ELLINGTON (449 hits)

EDWARD KENNEDY “DUKE” ELLINGTON

Vital Statistics

Born: April 29, 1899 in Washington, D.C. Died: May 24, 1974 in New York City of lung cancer and pneumonia.
Nationality: U.S. Period: 20th Century
Performed As: pianist and bandleader of the Duke Ellington Orchestra.
During Lifetime: The Harlem Renaissance enlists the arts in a celebration and investigation of the African-American experience. The Civil Rights movements of the 1950s-70s causes a dramatic change in American society and politics.

Biographical Outline

Beginnings, 1899-1919: Both mother, Daisy, and father, James Edward Ellington, were amateur pianists. Edward's friends notice his elegant manners and sharp appearance and nickname him "Duke." Edward begins studying piano at age 7 and makes his professional debut at 17. He forms his first ensemble, "The Duke's Serenaders" (or the "Colored Syncopators") in 1917. A year later, Ellington marries Edna Thompson, and in 1919 their son, Mercer, is born.

New York City, 1923-27: After initial disappointments, Ellington takes pianist Fats Waller's advice and stays in New York to work with Elmer Snowden's band, The Washingtonians. He performs in various venues around New York City with the band, which expands to a 10-piece outfit. The members later provide the nucleus for Ellington's own band.

Cotton Club, 1927-30: Ellington forms the Duke Ellington Orchestra, which shares top billing with the likes of Louis Armstrong at Harlem's exclusive Cotton Club cabaret. Under the shrewd management of Irving Mills, the band goes on to make about 200 recordings and is featured in a 1929 Hollywood short film, Black and Tan, and a number of films thereafter.

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