Duke+Ellington

He was born April 29, 1899. He Died, May, 24 1974. Duke Elington was a great band leader, composer, and pianist. He also had a son and short lived marriage with Edna Thompson; thier sons name was Merce Elington, he is a trumpeter. Duke Elington was a profound musician. He played in a lot of Harlem clubs, but before that he was taut piano at a very early age. He quit on him because she didn’t like his style. He became very good at memorizing and imitating music. He got his nickname duke because of his elegant and aristocratic manner. I can connect with him because he was born into a middle class family like me. He was also born in the north as was I. I can connect with him personally, but my brother could because he is in a band and plays drums. Duke Elington died because of lung cancer. While he was dying he found strength in his religion and pride. He played music until his death. But before that they play about two shows a day. In 1927 he began a five year contract with the famous cotton club. He was famous for songs like solitude, sophisticated lady, and black, brown, and beige. In 1969 president Nixon invited him to the white house for a party; there he resaved the presidential medal of freedom. ‘’Duke Elington’’ library of congress, American library, Feb. 16, 2011.

‘’African American biography’’ Weil education publisher, 1994.print “Duke Elington” encyopida of world biography, discus; biography in context. Feb, 16, 2011

Duke Ellington

Duke Ellington, one of the most outstanding musicians in the history of jazz. He was born on April 29th, 1899. During his childhood he was taught piano. Eventully his teacher refused to let him be her pupil because he always wanted to play without of tune keys. Eventhough he liked to experement he took music seriously. In 1918 Duke started his own band that played all over the country. In the same year he married Enda Thompson and they had Mercer Ellington who became a trumpeter. Then in 1927 he started a five year contract at the cotton club, a jazz club only whites were allowed in. I wonder if he had a problem with that. Eventully Dukes music became famous around the world and in 1930 he had taken two tours in europe. He said he was writing “Negro music with deep african roots.” Many of his songs were about the story of African Americans or thing that he went through. Duke created alot of Jazz songs. He wanted to catch the character and mood and feeling of African Americans. Duke Ellington won alot of awards. Most were grammys but he also got the presidential medal of freedom and the french legion of honor. That’s cool. His songs inspired many African Americans to try and get better rights. Then on may 24th,1974, Duke Ellington died in New york city.

[|Click here to listen to some of his music.]

Works Cited

"Duke Ellington." //Contemporary Heroes and Heroines//. Vol. 2. Gale, 1992. //Gale Biography In Context//. Web. 18 Feb. 2011. "Duke Ellington Plays." //Thought Equity Motion Collections// [Video] 2010. //Gale Biography In Context//. Web. 18 Feb. 2011. AfriAfrican American biography. Gale reasearch. Thomas L. Romig. 1994. print.

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