Duke Ellington
American, 1899 - 1974
BiographyEdward Kennedy Ellington, known as "Duke", was a musician, band leader, actor, and pianist. Born in 1899 in Washington, D.C., Duke later moved to New York City, where he led his orchestra in the 1920s at the acclaimed Cotton Club.
Duke's first acting appearance is noted as the short film "Black and Tan" (1929), which also starred actress Fredi Washington, who portrayed a dying Club dancer.
By the 1940s, Duke and his orchestra worked on a range of projects in a number of venues, including the short film "Symphony in Black" (1935), a Broadway production of Duke's musical "Beggar's Holiday" (1946), and "Black, Brown and Beige" (1943) at Carnegie Hall.
In addition to his numerous recordings, other film credits include "Anatomy of a Murder" (1959) for which he created a film score, and "Paris Blues" (1965).
In his later years, Duke performed a series of "Sacred Concerts", fusing Christian music with jazz, and continued to record music through 1972.
Duke Ellington passed away on May 24, 1974 in New York City.
Duke's first acting appearance is noted as the short film "Black and Tan" (1929), which also starred actress Fredi Washington, who portrayed a dying Club dancer.
By the 1940s, Duke and his orchestra worked on a range of projects in a number of venues, including the short film "Symphony in Black" (1935), a Broadway production of Duke's musical "Beggar's Holiday" (1946), and "Black, Brown and Beige" (1943) at Carnegie Hall.
In addition to his numerous recordings, other film credits include "Anatomy of a Murder" (1959) for which he created a film score, and "Paris Blues" (1965).
In his later years, Duke performed a series of "Sacred Concerts", fusing Christian music with jazz, and continued to record music through 1972.
Duke Ellington passed away on May 24, 1974 in New York City.
Person TypeIndividual
