Apr 08, 2020 genealogy profile for duke elllington. His royal nickname seemed appropriate for duke because his elegant manner and dapper dress gave him the character of a young aristocrat. He also played blues, gospel, pop, and classical music. The story starts out when young duke ellington is learning to play the piano and hears ragtime music being played. Adella hunt was born free during the civil war to a free woman. A life of duke ellington, by terry teachout the new york. The grandson of a slave, he dropped out of high school to become one of the worlds most famous musicians, a.
A childhood friend seems to have christened the young edward kennedy ellington duke, thus sealing his air of eminence. In addition to his supreme musical gifts as a bandleader, composer and arranger, showman and entertainer. Louis toodleo, black and tan fantasy, it dont mean a thing, and mood indigo, to his more complex works such as reminiscing in tempo and black, brown and beige, to his. Printable assessment page for learning through the duke extensions. Many variations of the name ellington have been found, including elkinton, alkington, elchington and others. Our editors have compiled this checklist of genealogical resources, combining links to commercial databases along with usercontributed information and web sites for the ellington surname. Duke ellington was an american jazz composer and performer who is among one of the greatest names in the history of jazz. The logan family are african americans descended from warren logan and his wife adella hunt logan. Her titles for middlegrade readers include solo girl, raven in a dove house, silent thunder, and let it shine. This is the story of duke ellingtonthe story of jazz itself. Gleason once wrote, was always that he was so much more than he seemed, so many things at once.
The surname ellington was first found in lincolnshire at either north elkington or south elkington. The story of one of americas greatest composers, duke ellington, is lavishly told here in jazzinspired prose. Edward kennedy duke ellington was born on april 29, 1899, in washington, d. A semifinalist for the national book award, duke peels away countless layers of ellingtons evasion and public deception to tell the unvarnished truth about this creative genius. Duke ellington has 120 books on goodreads with 1662 ratings. On april 29, 1899, edward kennedy ellington was born in washington, d. Inspired by his job as a soda jerk, he wrote his first composition. Stories of black women freedom fighters, a coretta scott king honor winner. Groundbreaking new biographies of jazz giants duke ellington. Ellington name meaning, family history, family crest. The piano prince and his orchestra is a coretta scott king award winning and caldecott honor picture book. Ellington used his band as a musical laboratory for his new compositions and shaped his writing specifically to showcase the talents of his bandmembers, many of whom remained with him.
Mercers children continue a connection with their grandfathers work. Show a brief video clip of duke ellington from youtube advertising cut. Commonlit duke ellington free reading passages and. A stunning introduction to duke ellington s life and work, the book includes a bibliography, videography, and list of museum exhibitions dedicated to ellington. May 28, 1978 the problem with duke ellington, ralph j. Scholastic book clubs childrens books for parents and. He married edna thompson, his high school sweetheart, on july 2, 1918, and they had one child together. From the first game in 1906 through the ncaa national championship following the 200910 season, 100 seasons of duke basketball provides fans with an insiders look at duke basketball and the people who have made it a national legendvic bubas, eddie cameron, art heyman, mike krzyzewski, and many others. Duke ellington, american pianist who was the greatest jazz composer and bandleader of his time.
Duke ellington biography life, death, history, mother, son. Shortly before ellington s death in 1974, shirley wrote a. This biography profiles his childhood, life, music career, achievements and timeline. Life with father, duke ellington the new york times. Records it was one of ellington s many collaborations in the early 1960s with musicians such as count basie, louis armstrong, coleman hawkins, max roach, and charles mingus, and placed him with a quartet in this case. Molefi kete asante, 100 greatest african americans. In the 1920s, ellington performed in broadway nightclubs as the bandleader of a sextet, a group which in time grew to a 10piece ensemble. Digital duke, credited to the duke ellington orchestra, won the 1988 grammy award for best large jazz ensemble album. The teacher will play a selection of music from duke ellington it dont mean a thing if it aint got that swing or satin doll mp3 itunes. Duke ellington was the most important composer in the history of jazz as well as being a bandleader who held his large group together continuously for almost 50 years. Duke ellington biography, albums, streaming links allmusic. Her status rose dramatically in the 1950s when jazz impresario norman granz became her manager. Duke ellington is universally recognized as one of the towering figures of 20thcentury music, both a brilliant composer and one of the preeminent musicians in jazz history.
Both of his parents were pianists, and his father also made blueprints for the united states navy. Then you can start reading kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or computer no kindle device required. Duke ellington, one of the most influential figures in american music, comes alive in this comprehensive biography with engaging activities. The definitive ellington biography thus farvaluableone of the most important books of 20. From 1956 to 1964 she recorded a 19volume series of songbooks, in which she interpreted nearly 250 outstanding songs by richard rodgers, cole porter. Edward kennedy duke ellington was born in washington d. Ellington is a name that was brought to england by the ancestors of the ellington family when they migrated to the region after the norman conquest in 1066.
Peter francis james is a great narrator and could make the phone book interesting, but in some places he was a little hard to understand and he mangled renaissance and threepenny, as in threepenny opera, and repertoire. Edward kennedy duke ellington april 29, 1899 may 24, 1974 was an american composer, pianist, and big band leader. A life of louis armstrong edward kennedy duke ellington was the greatest jazz composer of the twentieth centuryand an impenetrably enigmatic personality whom no one, not even his closest friends, claimed to understand. Edward kennedy duke ellington april 29, 1899 may 24, 1974 was an american composer, pianist and bandleader of a jazz orchestra. The first biography of the composer written by a fellow musician and african american, the book traces ellingtons life and career in terms of the social, cultural. Part of fitzgeralds song book series, it is the only one where the composer is also featured as a performer and the first occasion fitzgerald. One of the originators of bigband jazz, ellington led his band for more than half a century, composed thousands of scores, and created one of the most distinctive ensemble sounds in all of western music. It is a solid, reliable biography based upon recent archival research as well as interviews conducted by the author and other ellington. The ellington genealogy and family tree page welcome to the ellington family page at surname finder, a service of genealogy today. Duke ellington a caldecott honor book, coretta scott king honor book. Nov 04, 2014 edward kennedy duke ellington was the greatest jazz composer of the 20th century and an impenetrably enigmatic personality whom no one, not even his closest friends, claimed to understand. Music is my mistress, and she plays second fiddle to no one. Apr 25, 2020 duke ellington, american pianist who was the greatest jazz composer and bandleader of his time. He was commemorated by stevie wonder with sir duke, a song wonder wrote in 1976.
He led his orchestra from 1923 until his death, his career spanning over 50 years. Ella fitzgerald sings the duke ellington song book is a 1957 studio album by the american jazz singer ella fitzgerald, accompanied by duke ellington and his orchestra, focusing on ellington s songs part of fitzgeralds song book series, it is the only one where the composer is also featured as a performer and the first occasion fitzgerald recorded with ellington. Duke ellington s most popular book is music is my mistress. James lincoln collier fills this gap with his definitive. The ellington family lived in lincolnshire, at the manor of elkington, near louth early origins of the ellington family. This informational text explores ellingtons life and career. Edward kennedy duke ellington april 29, 1899 may 24, 1974 was an american composer. Another stunning picture book biography of a prominent twentiethcentury african american in the arts, from the creative team behind alvin. The book is also a wellresearched history of duke ellington s music and his influences and his contribution to american jazz and international music. Duke ellington by andrea and brian pinkney is a book celebrating the life of duke ellington, who is one of the most inspirational jazz musicians of his time.
An originator of bigband jazz, duke ellington was an american composer, pianist and bandleader who composed thousands of scores over his 50year career. List of books and articles about duke ellington online. Duke ellington was born edward kennedy ellington in washington, d. Duke ellington school of the arts alumni association was established for the purpose of maintaining a strong and healthy bond between the members of the association and the duke ellington school of the arts.
Edward kennedy duke ellington was the greatest jazz composer of the twentieth century and an impenetrably enigmatic personality whom no one, not even his closest friends, claimed to understand. Duke ellington was a famous african american jazz musician. Ella fitzgerald sings the duke ellington song book wikipedia. Free shipping get free shipping free 58 day shipping within the u. Throughout the book duke ellington, there are many vibrant examples of similes and metaphors. Ellington was an accomplished and influential jazz pianist, composer, band leader, and cultural diplomat. A short biography of duke ellington, the american jazz legend known for his hits like it dont mean a thing if it aint got that swing and take the a. Duke ellington facts, bio, family, life, info sticky facts. Duke ellingtons most popular book is music is my mistress. Jan 09, 2012 duke ellington was born april 29, 1899, in washington, d. Books have been written about him, his image is on a u. Duke ellington biography life, death, history, mother. In this lesson, learn about duke ellington s life and music, and find out some cool facts about the man with the big band.
Books by duke ellington author of music is my mistress. Another stunning picture book biography of a prominent twentiethcentury africanamerican in the arts, from the creative team behind alvin ailey. At the age of seven, he began studying piano and earned the nickname duke for his gentlemanly ways. The duke ellington reader has been added to your cart add to cart. Edward kennedy duke ellington april 29, 1899 may 24, 1974 was an american composer, pianist, and leader of a jazz orchestra, which he led from 1923 until his death over a career spanning more than six decades.
In a sentimental mood duke ellington, manny kurtz, irving mills 4. By 1918 he had formed a band, and after appearances in nightclubs in harlem he became one of the most famous figures in american jazz. Music lovers everywhere have hailed duke ellington as one of the greatest geniuses of jazz. Readers looking for a biography of ellington should head elsewhere, for here the pinkneys are. Ellington made his first professional appearance as a jazz pianist in 1916. Told in his own way, in his own words, a symphony written by the king of jazz. Ella fitzgerald sings the duke ellington song book is a 1957 studio album by the american jazz singer ella fitzgerald, accompanied by duke ellington and his orchestra, focusing on ellingtons songs. Enter your mobile number or email address below and well send you a link to download the free kindle app. A stunning introduction to duke ellingtons life and work, the book includes a bibliography, videography, and list of museum exhibitions dedicated to ellington. A life of duke ellington, by terry teachout the new.
Apr 21, 2020 during much of her early career she had been noted for singing and recording novelty songs. Andrea davis pinkney has written several acclaimed picture books, works of non fiction, and novels. Expand product details the story of one of americas greatest composers, duke ellington, is lavishly told here in jazzinspired prose. Edward kennedy duke ellington was an american jazz pianist, composer, and bandleader. An originator of bigband jazz, duke ellington was an american composer, pianist and bandleader who composed thousands of scores over. Duke ellington was born april 29, 1899, in washington, d. Duke ellington biography, life, interesting facts early life and career. It is a solid, reliable biography based upon recent archival research as well as interviews conducted by the author and other ellington scholars. Dec 08, 20 a childhood friend seems to have christened the young edward kennedy ellington duke, thus sealing his air of eminence. A life of duke ellington and millions of other books are available for instant access. In his 1946 biography, duke ellington, barry ulanov wrote. Green book pianist don shirley premired ellington tribute. Written by andrea davis pinkney and illustrated by brian pinkney, duke ellington.
Mercer ellington had been handling all administrative aspects of his fathers business for several decades. Duke ellington bio, facts, family famous birthdays. His parents, james edward and daisy kennedy ellington, both played the piano. A major new biography of duke ellington from the acclaimed author of pops. Producer alan douglas had helped duke ellington with errands when they were both working in paris in the early 1960s. He was one of the most important musicians in the history of recorded music, and is called one of the greatest figures in jazz music. Hey kids, meet duke ellington jazz artists biography. Terry teachouts biography of the enigmatic jazz titan duke ellington. Dont buy this book for your childs biography for black history month. A biographical encyclopedia, new york, prometheus books, 2002 isbn 157392 9638. This african american family has become part of the educated, professional black elite in the united states of african american descent, logan was born into slavery in virginia shortly before the american civil war.
Duke ellington biography childhood, life achievements. Duke ellington is one of the premier musicians of the 20th century. Shirley, who died in new york in 20 at the age of 86, was a close friend of the great jazz orchestra leader duke ellington. It was recorded in 1979 and released on the pablo label track listing. Early notables of the ellington family pre 1700 more information is included under the topic early ellington notables in all our pdf extended history products and printed products wherever possible. Ellington is an important figure in the harlem renaissance, an african american cultural, social, and artistic movement that took place in harlem, new york during the 1920s.
Duke ellington is considered by many to be one of americas most brilliant jazz composers writers of music of the twentieth century. Later, after douglas had joined united artists and moved to new york, he received, according to his own account, a surprise visit from ellington, who suggested recording a pianobased album ellington was known as a big band leader. Edward kennedy duke ellington 18991974 was an african american composer, pianist, and leader of a jazz orchestra. Duke ellington is the author of music is my mistress 3. She is also the author of the picture books alvin ailey. Born on april 29, 1899, duke ellington was raised by two talented, musical parents in a middleclass neighborhood of washington d. Duke ellington colema duke ellington meets co ellington at newport. Greatest allround musical figure of the 20th century, who achieved monumental status as a composer, bandleader, arranger, and instrumentalist. Scholastic book clubs is the best possible partner to help you get excellent childrens books into the hands of every child, to help them become successful lifelong readers and discover the joy and power of good books. Duke s parents enrolled him in piano lessons at the age of eight.
The life and music of duke ellington lessons 023 024 th. Edward was nicknamed duke by a classmate who admired him. Oct, 20 at left, duke ellington waves to fans when he arrives in london in 1958. Duke ellington edward kennedy ellington, 18991974, american jazz musician and composer, b. Overall this book provides an insightful look into duke ellingtons life but the story just seems a little uneven. The piano was at the heart and soul of duke ellington s approach to making music. Now, in the duke ellington reader, mark tucker offers the first historical anthology of writings about this major africanamerican musician.
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