Edward Kennedy Ellington , Pianist, Type-setter and Leader of Jazz was born the April 29th 1899 with Washington and died the May 24th 1974 with New York. His/her father, Master of hotel in middle-class houses, transmitted the taste for elegance to him, which was worth to him as of the college the nickname of '' Duke '' (duke).

“The Duke” is regarded as one of largest and the most prolific type-setters of the 20th century, having developed new symphonic ideas based on the expression and the intonation of the Jazz and the Blues and having left with the many Jazz standard. It did not direct its orchestra, but played about it like instrument with a clean sonority.

Biography

After having hesitated to study the Graphic arts, Duke Ellington made her musical beginnings at 17 years as pianist with the Poodle Dog Cafe , in her birthplace. In 1918, it assembled its first Orchestre with several musicians who will follow it the remainder of his career. Success was not with go.

In 1918, it Maria with Edna Thompson, which gave birth, in 1919, with his/her son, Mercer. In 1923, it founded a unit, the Washingtonians , with which it was going to conquer New York. In 1927, Duke and its orchestra were engaged with the famous Cotton Club of Harlem, where they developed the style " jungle". Many soloists of talent will join this unit, which will perdura until the death of Ellington. Let us quote, in particular, Harry Carney, Johnny Hodges, Paul Gonsalves, Barney Bigard, Cootie Williams, Bubber Miley, Tricky Sam Nanton and Juan Tizol.

In 1931, whereas it was one of most famous the Afro-américaines personalities, Ellington left the Cotton Club . It continued to make rounds through the the United States and the Europe, like in the rest of the world in the years 1960. It enters in freemasonry to the cabin " Social Lodge Washington D.C." and gives its impressions of initiation in the topic " I' m beginning to see the light" (copyright 1944 by Alamo Music, Inc) sung by Louis Armstrong. With the the United States, one decorated it with the presidential Médaille of freedom in 1969; in France, it accepted the Légion of honor in 1973. Its orchestra was taken again by his/her son Mercer, after its death, in 1974.

Discography

• Ellington At Newport
• 1950: Masterpieces
• 1956 - 1957: Such Sweet Thunder
• 1958 : Black, Beige Brown and
• 1960: Back to Back
• 1962 : Duke Ellington and John Coltrane
• 1962: Money Jungle
• 1973: This One' S for Blanton

Appendices

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