Duke Ellington
By: Brianna white
Duke's Childhood
Due Ellington was born in Washington D.C., April 29, 1899.
He began playing the piano at age 7 and made his first professional debut at 17. It was called the "The dukes serenades". He wrote his first composition " Soda fountain rag" at the age 15.
Duke's Livelihood
He was a pianist and a bandleader of the duke Ellington orchestra he formed the duke Ellington orchestra, which shared top billing with the likes of louis Armstrong at Harlem's exclusive cotton club cabaret.
Dukes impact on history
Dukes band the Duke Ellington orchestra Began the house band of the exclusive cotton club the catered to only white patrons only.There were periods where the band was hardly working and he would come out of his own pocket cause he knew as a composer he needed to hear his own music night after night.
Mercer Ellington
He played the trumpet in his fathers band in 1940-1941
Edna Thompson
he married Duke one year after Dukes first ensemble "the Dukes serenades
Paul Ellington
He is Dukes grandson. Mercer's son, Paul, the composer's grandson, took over after Mercer's death, in 1996, and still runs the orchestra and Ellington's publishing company, Tempo Music.
Duke Ellington - I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good)
Duke Ellington - Mini Bio
How Many Grammy did Duke Ellington have?