"Recently, a friend asked me why I thought American Jazz was so much the vogue in other countries. I said, I thought the reason was that jazz means freedom and that today, freedom is the big word around the world. Well, if jazz means freedom, then jazz means peace because peace can come to mankind only when man is free." - Duke Ellington
In the sultry nights of Harlem amongst the bustling avenues of New York City, the legend of Duke Ellington as a musician was born. "Duke was the quintessence of soul. His music described life in the black community, caught the spirit of the ghetto, the humor and pathos of life," wrote researcher and NAACP leader Gloster B. Current.
Born in Washington D.C. in 1899, Edward Ellington became "Duke" in his early years, when, as a youngster, he possessed a regal air and an elegance that belied his tender years. This noble manner and penchant earned him the moniker "Duke" from family and friends.
From an early age, Duke displayed a musical talent. He began piano lessons at the age of seven and was soon drawn to the sounds of ragtime and jazz. Inspired by the performances he saw and the burgeoning jazz scene of the early 20th century, he honed his skills as a musician.
In 1923, Duke moved to New York City, where he formed a band, the Washingtonians, and where life came with much struggle. Without much money and often having to eat at parties, Duke and the band played anything people wanted to hear. Duke would reflect on the time by saying, "Answering requests. We sang anything and everything—pop songs, jazz songs, dirty songs, torch songs, Jewish songs."
The band's stardom began in 1928 when they became the house act at the famous Cotton Club in Harlem. Soon to become known as the Duke Ellington Orchestra, they would grow into one of the most famous and enduring jazz bands in history. With Duke at the helm as both bandleader and composer, the group revolutionized jazz music, pioneering new styles and techniques.
Duke led the way with his innovative approach to composition. He experimented with orchestration, blending elements of jazz, blues, classical music, and popular songs to create a sound that was uniquely his own. Among his roughly 2,000 compositions, records such as "Mood Indigo," "Take the 'A' Train," and "Sophisticated Lady," are now considered jazz classics.
Over the years of his many decades long career, Duke and his orchestra would tour extensively in the United States and abroad. They performed in prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall and the Newport Jazz Festival.
In addition to his music work, Duke was a pioneering figure in the fight for civil rights. At a time when racial segregation was still widespread in America, he used his platform to advocate for equality and social justice. He often incorporated racial pride and identity themes into his music, challenging prevailing attitudes and stereotypes. For all his work, Duke received numerous awards and honors, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the United States.
Duke continued to perform and compose until his death on May 24, 1974.
Sources:
Current, Gloster B. “Duke Ellington.” The Black Perspective in Music, vol. 2, no. 2, 1974, pp. 173–78. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.2307/1214233. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.
Erickson, Roy. Jazz composer and bandleader Duke Ellington performing with his orchestra at the Pine Crest School - Fort Lauderdale, Florida. 1968 (circa). State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.<https://www.floridamemory.com/items/show/14570>
George, Luvenia A. “Duke Ellington the Man and His Music.” Music Educators Journal, vol. 85, no. 6, 1999, pp. 15–21. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.2307/3399516. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.
Gottlieb, William P. Portrait of Duke Ellington, Cat Anderson, and Sidney De Paris?, Aquarium, New York, N.Y., ca. Nov. , Monographic. Photograph. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, <www.loc.gov/item/gottlieb.02381/>.
Tennen, Gabe S. "Duke Ellington’s New York Rise." Museum of the City of New York, https://www.mcny.org/story/duke-ellingtons-new-york-rise