Duke Ellington

Duke Ellington - When one thinks of jazz or Big Bands, one immediately thinks of Duke Ellington. He was named one of the top ten African American musicians of the 1950s. In addition, he was one of the most well-known African American celebrities of the twentieth century. Ellington garnered multiple important honors as one of the first black artists. Some examples are the 13 Grammy Awards and the French Legion of Honor in 1973. He also earned a commemorative stamp from the United States. Ellington performed nearly 20,000 times throughout the world over his fifty-year career. Among his most well-known tunes are It Don't Mean a Thing if It Ain't Got That Swing, Sophisticated Lady, Mood Indigo, and Satin Doll.

Some of the jazz performers who played in Ellington's ensemble, such as saxophonist Johnny Hodges, are regarded as among the finest in the genre. Ellington combined them to become the most admired symphonic section in jazz history. Some members remained with the ensemble for decades. Ellington was a virtuoso at writing miniatures for the three-minute 78 rpm recording format; his huge collection of work is the largest documented personal jazz legacy, and many of his songs have become standards.

Genres: Jazz, swing