Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington (April 29, 1899 – May 24, 1974) was a composer, pianist, and big band leader born and raised in Washington, D.C. Ellington wrote over 1,000 compositions. In the words of Bob Blumenthal of the Boston Globe "In the century since his birth, there has been no greater composer, American or otherwise, than Edward Kennedy Ellington."A prominent figure in the history of jazz, and a figure in the Harlem Renaissance, Ellington's music stretched into various other genres, including blues, gospel, film scores, popular, and classical. His career spanned more than 50 years and included leading his orchestra, composing an inexhaustible songbook, scoring for movies, composing stage musicals, and world tours.
Many of the musicians who were members of his orchestra are considered among the best in jazz in their own right, but it was Ellington who melded them into one of the most well-known jazz orchestral units in the history of jazz. Ellington led his band from 1923 until his death in 1974. His reputation increased after his death, the Pulitzer Prize Board bestowing a special posthumous honor in 1999.
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by @Jetsetting_Ju
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