Duke Ellington | Composers

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Duke Ellington
Duke Ellington

Born
29.04.1899 in Washington, D.C.

Died
24.05.1974 in New York City

Info

"Duke" war sein Ehrenname - Ausdruck dafür, dass Ellington gewissermaßen die amerikanische Jazzszene durch die Eleganz seines Musizierens adelte. Geboren wurde er als Edward Kennedy Ellington, sein Vater war Butler im Weißen Haus. Sein Klavierstudium begann er, von Ragtime-Pianisten beeinflusst, mit sieben Jahren. 1923-27 spielte er mit seiner Band am New Yorker Broadway. Berühmt wurde Ellington durch seine Auftritte im Cotton Club in Harlem (1927-32). In dieser Zeit machte er bereits über 200 Schallplattenaufnahmen, manche davon im "Jungle-Style", der seine ureigene Schöpfung war. Darunter verstand er eine wilde, heiße Musik, die etwas von der Raserei der Tänze der Wilden oder dem wehmütigen Stöhnen der Schwarzen auf den Sklavenschiffen suggerieren sollte. Ellington vermochte sein Orchester beinahe ein halbes Jahrhundert lang zusammenzuhalten, wobei er sich auf großartige Musiker stützen konnte. Höhepunkt seiner Laufbahn waren die 1940er Jahre, in denen "Take the A-Train" zu seiner Kennmelodie wurde. Nach seinem Tod im Jahre 1974 übernahm sein Sohn Mercer die Duke-Ellington-Band.

Keywords

Anniversary / Jubilee 2024

Current Title

Ellington! (Medley)

Ellington! (Medley)

It Don't Mean a Thing

It Don't Mean a Thing

Come Sunday

Come Sunday

Duke Ellington in Concert (Medley)

Duke Ellington in Concert (Medley)

Take The A-Train

Take The A-Train

Music by Duke Ellington

FILTER (10)
FILTER (10)
Total
Compositions
Recordings
Miscellaneous

Ellington! (Medley)

Ellington! (Medley)

Duke Ellington and his orchestra are responsible for a wealth of memorable classic melodies and standards! Featuring the music of this legendary band leader, composer, and jazz ambassador, here is a...
Concert Band
HL04005852
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It Don't Mean a Thing

It Don't Mean a Thing

Edward Kennedy ‘Duke’ Ellington’s influence on the swing era as musician, bandleader and composer is unparalleled. His arrangement of his own composition It Don’t Mean a Thing...
Concert Band
DHP1125268
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Come Sunday

Come Sunday

Taken from Ellington's renowned suite Black, Brown and Beige, the song “Come Sunday” has become an acknowledged standard in its own right. With lush scoring and beautiful harmonies, here is a...
Concert Band
HL50486540
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Duke Ellington in Concert (Medley)

The music of the Duke Ellington Orchestra helped define the role of jazz in America. Here is a swingin' medley for young bands including the memorable titles: Take The A Train, Don't Get...
Concert Band
HL04000878
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Take The A-Train

The ‘New Sounds for Concert Band’ series has guaranteed success in your concert programme for many years. The latest addition to the series is a classic from the jazz orchestra...
Concert Band
DH1023202
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Caravan

One of the most recognizable of all Duke Ellington tunes, this distinctive composition combines the styles of Latin and big band jazz. Richard Saucedo gives this classic an impressive new setting for...
Concert Band
HL04000813
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Caravan

New Sounds for Concert Band 72
Concert Band
DH991728
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It Don't Mean A Thing

Swing's the thing, now more than ever with this trademark tune from the Duke. Discovery Band Series Grade 1+
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HL08724492
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It Don't Mean a Thing

This successful tune composed by Mills and Ellington belonged to the repertoire of the Duke Ellington Band, the complete title being It don't mean a thing if you ain't got that swing. All...
Concert Band
ML01215705
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