Composer of the Month: Duke Ellington
Duke Ellington was widely known for his complex yet accessible jazz pieces that left listeners feelin’ good. A unique blend of melodies, rhythm, and sonic movements, let’s take a closer look at the contributions that landed this great American composer 12 Grammy Awards from 1959-2000.
Famous Works of Duke Ellington
Duke Ellington made his first public performance in New York City in 1923. Ellington’s six-piece band would go on to land a regular spot playing at the Cotton Club in Harlem in 1927, which was broadcast nightly. One of the most creative music forces of the 20th century, Ellington transformed his sextet into the 10-piece ensemble that rose to fame over the next decade. Ellington would eventually add 4 additional musicians to his band, bringing them to a 14-piece music group.
The expansion of his band also allowed Ellington to broaden the compositional scope of his work. It was at this point that Ellington’s unique style came into existence- a combination of blues-based melodies, harsh, vocalized trumpet sounds, and loud, distinct trombone tones. Early works such as “East St. Louis Toodle-oo” and “Black and Tan Fantasy” are characteristic of this early “jungle” style.
Duke Ellington hand-picked musicians to play with his band based on their expressive individuality. In 1931, his compositions were mostly extended works like “Creole Rhapsody” and “Reminiscing in Tempo.” The group continued to produce hundreds of recordings through the 1930s, blending individual sounds of each musician to create new harmonies. Ellington’s work highlighted the exceptional talents of band soloists, landing the star of the swing era several films and radio features throughout the 1930s.
From 1933-1939 they took off on their first European tour. Once back on American soil, Ellington would produce some of his most well-known masterpieces. Check out these 1940s hits that made Duke Ellington a household name:
Other popular pieces composed by Ellington include:
His most jazz tune was “Take the A Train,” composed by Billy Strayhorn and recorded for commercial purposes on February 15th, 1941. Nominated for 22 awards, Ellington made his Grammy debut in 1966 for Best on Record with “Satin Doll.”
Interesting Facts About an American Legend
As a jazz composer, Ellington’s work also had a profound impact on classical and popular music genres.
Despite their own notoriety and important contributions to jazz history, few of Ellington’s soloists played well in other contexts. It’s well known throughout the music industry that it was Ellington’s inspiration and masterful work that kept his fellow bandmates performing their best contributions to the industry.
Despite grueling schedules, many of the original band musicians stayed with Ellington for decades. Baritone sax player Harry Carney remained with the band for 47 years.
Although playing with his band always brought the most successful recordings of Ellington’s career, he recorded with other non-band member jazz legends such as Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, and Coleman Hawkins. He even did some recording with bop musicians John Coltrane and Charles Mingus.
Big bands went out of fashion at the end of World War II, which was the height of Ellington’s career. Despite the fall, Ellington kept the band together by subsidizing royalties from his success as a composer.
Of the 22 Grammy nominations he received, Duke Ellington brought home nine wins while alive and two after his death.
Ellington was invited to perform at the White House in 1931. In 1986, a United States commemorative stamp was issued featuring Ellington.
In addition to nine Grammy wins, Ellington was awarded the Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1966 and the Trustees Award in 1968.
In 1975, Duke Ellington was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
The Duke Ellington School of the Arts was founded in Washington, D.C., in 1974. The public high school prepares students for college or careers in the arts by offering a dual curriculum of professional arts training and academic enrichment.
A Quick Look at His Personal Life
On April 29th, 1899, in Washington, D.C., Edward Kennedy Ellington was born into a middle-class black family. His father was a butler in a wealthy household, having sometimes worked at White House affairs. Ellington began studying piano at the age of seven, when he earned the nickname “Duke” for his gentlemanly ways. He wrote his first composition at the age of 15 titled “Soda Fountain Rag,” inspired by his job as a soda jerk. Ellington turned down an art scholarship to Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY, to follow his passion for ragtime, beginning his career of playing professionally at the young age of 17.
High school sweethearts Duke Ellington and Edna Thompson married at age 19. Thompson gave birth to their only child, Mercer Kennedy Ellington, shortly after they wed. Ellington continued to play music until shortly before he passed away on May 24th, 1974. His last words were, “music is how I live, why I live, and how I will be remembered.” More than 12,000 people attended his funeral, a true testimony to the tremendous impact he had on the music industry.
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