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Duke Ellington was a major force in jazz from the 1920s through the 1960sCenturies: 19th century 20th century 21st century Decades: 1900s 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s Years: 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 Events and trends The 1960s was a turbulent decade of change around and his work continues to be influential today. He is considered by many to be the greatest American composer. He had many hits including Take the A Train, Satin Doll, Rockin' in Rhythm, Mood Indigo, Caravan and Sophisticated Lady. Throughout the 1920s and 30s, Ellington often shared composer credit with his manager Irving Mills until they had a falling out in the late 1930s. Billy StrayhornBilly Strayhorn (November 29, 1915 May 31, 1967) was an American composer and pianist, perhaps most famous for having written "Take the A Train" and for his collaboration with Duke Ellington. Strayhorn began his musical career in Pittsburgh, where he stud became Ellington's collaborator (not always credited) from 1940Events January-February January 5 FM radio is demonstrated to the FCC for the first time. January 6 World War II: Mass execution of Poles, committed by Germans in the Poznan, Warthegau. January 12 World War II: Russia bombs cities in Finland. February 2 F until Strayhorn's death in the mid 1960s.
His works were always tailored to the talents of the musicians in his band, including Johnny HodgesJohn Cornelius "Johnny" Hodges ( July 25, 1906 May 11, 1970) was an alto saxophonist and lead man for Duke Ellington's saxophone section. He spent more than 40 years with Ellington. Hodges was mostly self-taught, although he did take lessons on soprano sa, Bubber MileyJames "Bubber" Miley ( April 3, 1903 May 20, 1932) was an early jazz trumpeter, specializing in the use of the plunger mute. Miley was born in Aiken, South Carolina. By the time he was twenty, he was working in clubs in New York City. It was in New York t, Joe "Tricky Sam" NantonJoe "Tricky Sam" Nanton ( February 1, 1904 July 20, 1946) was a famous trombonist with the Duke Ellington Orchestra. Nanton was born in New York City and began playing professionally with bands led by Cliff Jackson and Elmer Snowden. In 1926, he joined El, Barney BigardAlbany Leon "Barney" Bigard ( March 3, 1906 June 27, 1980) was an American jazz and clarinetist. Bigard was born in New Orleans and studied music and clarinet with Lorenzo Tio. Moved to Chicago in the early 1920s, and played with "King" Joe Oliver, then t, Ben WebsterThis article is about Ben Webster, the musician. For the Canadian politician, see Ben Webster (politician). Ben Webster ( March 27 1909 September 20 1973) was an influential American Jazz musician. Ben Webster was considered one of the three most importan, Harry Carney, Sonny Greer , Otto Hardwicke , and Wellman Braud. Many musicians stayed with him for decades.
Ellington started playing around Washington D.C. in his teens, then formed a band "The Washingtonians", which he moved to New York City in 1923. Ellington & The Washingtonians played at various New York Clubs and toured New England as a dance band until they got their first big break in 1927. When the then much better known Joe "King" Oliver held out for more money at the prestigious Cotton Club, the job as house band was offered to Ellington. This was the best known of the Harlem clubs, and "Duke Ellington and his Jungle Band" became well known nationally thanks to the regular radio broadcasts from the Cotton Club.
In this setting Ellington had a chance to write music in a variety of styles for dance theater acts as well as extended specialties for the band. These appearances featured many experiments in tonality, with trumpet screams and wah-wah, and growling saxophones. When Ellington left the Cotton Club in 1931 he was one of the best known African-American celebrities, recording regularly for several record companies and featured in motion pictures. Ellington continued to tour with his band around the United States and Europe, plus a tour of much of the rest of the world in the 1960s.
He was a musical experimenter all his life, recording with John Coltrane and Charles Mingus as well as with his own highly skilled orchestra. The band reached a creative peak in the 1940s, when he wrote for an orchestra of distinctive voices and tremendous creativity. Some of these musicians, such as Jimmy Blanton, transformed jazz during the short time they played with him.
But even as players left and the popularity of swing diminished, Ellington continued to find new outlets, new forms and new sidemen. He frequently composed in longer forms modelled on classical music, such as his Black, Brown and Beige ( 1943), and Such Sweet Thunder ( 1957), based on Shakespeare. His Diminuendo and Crescendo in Blue with a rocking saxophone interval by Paul Gonsalves in 1956 at the Newport Jazz Festival greatly increased his fame and drawing power.
He also wrote for films, starting with Black and Tan Fantasy in 1929, but also Anatomy of a Murder ( 1959) with James Stewart, in which he appeared as a bandleader, and Paris Blues ( 1961), which featured Paul Newman and Sidney Poitier as jazz musicians.
Ellington was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize in 1965, but was turned down. His reaction: "Fate is being kind to me. Fate doesn't want me to be famous too young."
Duke Ellington died on May 24, 1974 and was interred in the Woodlawn Cemetery, The Bronx, New York. A large memorial to Duke Ellington created by sculptor Robert Graham was dedicated in 1997 in New York's Central Park near Fifth Avenue and 110th Street, an intersection named Duke Ellington Circle.