Duke Ellington Bibliography

On April 29, 1899 Edward Kennedy “Duke” Ellington was born. Ellington grew up in Washington D.C and was always surrounded by music. Both his parents would play the piano and he would begin taking lessons at seven years old. Ellington was also taught to be respectful and elegant. Due to his manners and grace his friends started calling him “Duke”, a nickname that would stick for the rest of his life. In 1914, Ellington wrote his first composition while working at a the Poodle Dog Cafe. Doing so before he had ever learned to read or write music. He would start sneaking out to listen to pianists, creating a stronger love for the instrument. Watching famous musicians made Ellington start taking his musical talents seriously. He would start focussing

The band became so popular that their music was broadcasted onto the radio. Giving Duke and his band national exposure. With this exposure Ellington got offers from Hollywood to write compositions for and appear in movies. With all this attention Ellington became one of the most famous jazz musicians ever. Even going on tour in Europe due to their world-wide fame. Ellington’s fame would continue throughout the Great Depression and through the 1940s. This would change in the 1950s, Ellington’s career would hit a low point. Not until 1956 where he appeared at the Newport Jazz Festival did he revive his career. Following this event his career took off again with the release of his new album, which would go on to become his best-selling album of his career. Ellington would start performing overseas again, throughout the 1960s. But would start slowing down into the 1970s. He performed at his last full concert in 1973 before his death in 1974 at the age of 75. Following his death his son Mercer took over the orchestra. Duke was one of the most popular jazz artists of all time. Winning 12 Grammy Awards for his compositions and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in