Duke Ellington



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The jazz composer, bandleader, and pianist Duke Ellington was a pioneering figure in big-band and swing music. Born in Washington, D.C., Ellington established himself and his orchestra at New York City’s Cotton Club in Harlem. Ellington was constantly aware of his cultural heritage, and his music always made references to black American life, culture, attitudes, and oppression. He wrote music that was melodic, witty, and colourfully abstract, which also emphasized the individual styles and talents of players in his band, an approach that was extremely innovative.

Marc Sharratt/Photography 33/Rex Features, Ltd./"Take the A Train" (Billy Strayhorn) from The Duke Ellington Carnegie Hall Concerts January 1946 (Cat. # 2PCD-24074-2) c Tempo Music - ASCAP (p)1977 Prestige Records/Fantasy, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Ellington, Duke; Harlem Renaissance; United States of America; African-American Music; American Music; Jazz

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