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[[Image:Duke-ellington.jpg|right|250px|thumb]]

[[Image:Duke-ellington.jpg|right|250px|thumb]]

'''Duke Ellington''' (April 29, 1899 – May 24, 1974) was a great American bandleader, [[composer]] and pianist, not only a towering figure in [[jazz]], but often regarded as one the great composers of the [[20th century]].

'''Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington''' (April 29, 1899 – May 24, 1974) was an American bandleader, [[composer]] and pianist, not only a towering figure in [[jazz]], but often regarded as one the great composers of the [[20th century]]. While his primary music genres were swing and orchestral jazz, the ''All Music Guide to Jazz'' book created a unique category for Ellington, "Beyond Category", due to his unwillingness to confine himself to a single musical style within jazz.

He began his career in [[New York City]], with a residency at the Cotton Club from 1927 during which he developed the ideas of Don Redman and Fletcher Henderson and became instrumental in developing the [[Big Band]] sound that was to dominate the 1930s.

He began his career in [[New York City]], with a residency at the Cotton Club from 1927 during which he developed the ideas of Don Redman and Fletcher Henderson and became instrumental in developing the [[Big Band]] sound that was to dominate the 1930s.

Ellington continued recording up until his death in 1974, still producing innovative music into his seventies.

Ellington continued recording up until his death in 1974, still producing innovative music into his seventies.

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ellington, Duke}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ellington, Duke}}

[[Category:Musicians]]

[[Category:Musicians]]

[[Category:Presidential Medal of Freedom award winners]]

[[Category:Presidential Medal of Freedom award winners]]