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Duke Ellington Essay

751 Words4 Pages

All genres of music have someone who is well known for their talents and

contributions towards their genre. Duke Ellington was a big hit during his time and

continues to inspire people in the jazz industry. His career lasted about 50 years allowing

him to move the souls of many with his ear for wonderful music. During this time he

wrote many songs and even a contemporary songbook. Ellington was an amazing

composer, pianist, and conductor. Ellington was born April 29th1899 in Washington, D.C.

His parents were also musically inclined which allowed them to raise such a talented son.

At the age of 15, Ellington began playing the piano again. This tome he stuck with it and

ended up writing his first composition “Soda Fountain Rag”. …show more content…

Ellington began performing at the age of 17 then later progressed into

preforming for nightclubs in Broadway. Starting out at such a young age Ellington was

able to support his love for jazz by hanging out with music students who attended

Howard University, and advance music in America early on. Ellington did not only

compose music for his bands. He was involved with projects for films, musical comedies,

stage productions, and symphony orchestras. Even during the last few years of his life

Ellington was working on developing an opera. Ellington was not only advancing music,

but he was inspiring fellow African American musicians. During this time African

Americans were segregated and unable to play in “whites only” clubs. Ellington’s talent

paved ways for other African American musicians to participate in musical groups. I feel

that this relates to the mutual welfare and brotherhood of musical students because he

was unknowingly helping out fellow musical students in the United States. Ellington was

reviewed by many critics some saying ““incomparable powers of rhapsodic …show more content…

During his lifetime he received 9

Grammy awards and 2 after he died. Duke was loyal to his making of music as well.

Even after getting married and having a child he continued to create music for his

listeners. Dukes’ last words were "Music is how I live, why I live and how I will be

remembered." Brothers in Phi Mu Alpha do not only rely on each other for support they

have music as well. These men have come together for a common reason and that reason

is music. Ellington’s love for music would have allowed him to contribute to some of the

Fraternity’s ideals. A value of the fraternity states “Sinfonia champions the power of

music”, meaning that music has the power to move you in ways that no other force can

achieve. Dukes’ last words support this value it shows that music allowed him to live a

life that he was satisfied with.

In order to become a Sinofnian it requires a lot of hard work and presents itself

with many challenges. Duke faced many challenges in his life, being an African

American or just a man who wanted to play music in order to inspire those around him.

These are not easy things to overcome in life. Not everyone was supportive of his

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