Duke ellington biography summary of thomas

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Who Was Duke Ellington?

A major figure in the history of jazz music, Duke Ellington's career spanned more than half a century, during which time he composed thousands of songs for the stage, screen and contemporary songbook.

Duke ellington family life

He created one of the most distinctive ensemble sounds in Western music and continued to play what he called "American Music" until shortly before his death in

Quick Facts

FULL NAME: Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington
BORN: April 29,
BIRTHPLACE: Washington D.C.
DEATH: May 24, (age 75)
SPOUSE: Edna Thompson (m.

)
CHILDREN: Mercer Ellington
ASTROLOGICAL SIGN: Taurus

Early Life

Born on April 29, , Ellington was raised by two talented, musical parents in a middle-class neighborhood of Washington, D.C. At the age of seven, he began studying piano and earned the nickname "Duke" for his gentlemanly ways.

Inspired by his job as a soda jerk, he wrote his first composition, "Soda Fountain Rag," at the age