80 word summary:
Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington was born in 1899 in Washington, DC and
was considered one of the world?s greatest composers, arrangers and
bandleaders that jazz has ever known. He was nicknamed "Duke" by a
boyhood friend who admired his regal air. Some of Ellington's greatest
works include ?Take the A Train,? ?Satin Doll,? ?Mood Indigo,? and
?Sophisticated Lady.? Ellington was honored with the U.S.
Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1965 and the Legion of Honor award
from France in 1973.
Sources of Information:
?Born 29 April 1899 in Washington DC, composer, bandleader, and
pianist Edward Kennedy ("Duke") Ellington was recognized in his
lifetime as one of the greatest jazz composers and performers.
Nicknamed "Duke" by a boyhood friend who admired his regal air, the
name stuck and became indelibly associated with the finest creations
in big band and vocal jazz. A genius for instrumental combinations,
improvisation, and jazz arranging brought the world the unique
"Ellington" sound that found consummate expression in works like "Mood
Indigo," "Sophisticated Lady," and the symphonic suites Black, Brown,
and Beige (which he subtitled "a Tone Parallel to the History of the
Negro in America") and Harlem ("a Tone Parallel to Harlem")?
http://www.schirmer.com/composers/ellington_bio.html
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?A pioneer, an innovator and an inspiration to generations, Duke
Ellington personified elegance and sophistication. More importantly,
he was a workaholic creative genius who never stopped exploring new
dimensions of his musical world.?
http://www.ilinks.net/~holmesr/duke.htm
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?Born Edward Kennedy Ellington, Duke Ellington was one of the founding
fathers of jazz music. He started playing piano at the age of seven,
and by the time he was 15, he was composing. A pianist, bandleader,
arranger, and composer, Ellington and his band played together for 50
years. Some of Ellington's most famous songs include "Don't Get Around
Much Anymore," "Sophisticated Lady" and "In a Sentimental Mood."
Americas Library
http://www.americaslibrary.gov/cgi-bin/page.cgi/aa/ellington
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?Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington (Born: April 29, 1899 in Washington,
DC - Died: May 24, 1974 in New York City) was an American jazz
composer, pianist and bandleader. He was awarded the Presidential
Medal of Freedom in 1969 and in 1973, the Legion of Honor by France.
Both are the highest civilian honors of each country. He was known as
"The Duke" (see: Jazz royalty).?
?Ellington was a major force in jazz from the 1920s through the 1960s
and his work continues to be influential today. He is considered by
many to be the greatest American composer. He had many hits including
Take the A Train, Satin Doll, Rockin' in Rhythm, Mood Indigo, Caravan
and Sophisticated Lady.
Duke Ellington died on May 24, 1974 and was interred in the Woodlawn
Cemetery, The Bronx, New York.?
Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duke_Ellington
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?The Duke he was, but from where did this appropriate nickname
originate. As it turns out, one of young Ellington's buddies saw in
him a royal and outward appearance; the name stuck and became a mark
of excellence for what was to come from the master. He was to become a
genius associated with the most elegant musical creations in big band
and vocal jazz; his genius encompassed instrumental combinations,
improvisation, and jazz arranging from the incredible musical
intuition brought to the world by the essence of the Ellington sound!?
http://stevenestrella.com/composers/index.html?composerfiles/ellington1974.html
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?In his lifetime, Duke received numerous awards, doctoral degrees and
honors including the highest honor bestowed on an American civilian,
the Congressional Medal Of Freedom. In 1965, Ellington was recommended
for a Pulitzer Prize to honor his forty years of contribution to
American music but the recommendation was rejected by the board. ?
http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~mcgoni/ella/dukebio.html
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?By the time of his passing, he was considered amongst the world?s
greatest composers and musicians. The French government honored him
with their highest award, the Legion of Honor, while the government of
the United States bestowed upon him the highest civil honor, the
Presidential Medal of Freedom. He played for the royalty and for the
common people and by the end of his 50-year career, he had played over
20,000 performances worldwide. He was The Duke, Duke Ellington.?
?Edward Kennedy Ellington was born into the world on April 29, 1899 in
Washington, D.C. Duke?s parents, Daisy Kennedy Ellington and James
Edward Ellington, served as ideal role models for young Duke, and
taught him everything from proper table manners to an understanding of
the emotional power of music.?
http://www.dukeellington.com/about/bio.htm
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Search criteria:
Duke Ellington +biography
I hope this helps!!
Best regards,
Bobbie7 |
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