Download Duke Ellington

Duke Ellington
By
Patsy Martin
Marshall Primary School
April 15, 2002
Early Life
Born in 1899 in Washington, D.C.
 Parents enrolled him in piano lessons.
 He called it an “umpy-dump” sound and
quit lessons.

As a teenager, he taught himself to
play his own style of ragtime.
History of Band
Formed a band called
the Washingtonians.
 In 1927,the band
began playing in New
York’s Cotton Club.
 It was broadcast on
the radio.

Duke Ellington plugs his ears so he
can hear the music of his band.
Duke Ellington having lunch with his
wife, Bea and a friend.
Colorful ties belonging to Duke Ellington.
Dancers at Hurricane Club. They are
dancing to the music of Duke Ellington.
A soldier and his girlfriend dancing at the
Hurricance to the music of Duke Ellington.
A sailor and his girlfriend dance to
the music of Duke Ellington.
Band Members
Bass fiddle player in the orchestra.
Sonny Greer played the drums.
Lawrence Brown, trombonist.
The Trumpet Section
Duke directs his band at The
Hurricane Ballroom.
Toby Hardwick played the saxophone.
In 1939, Duke hired Billy Strayhorn
to write songs for him. They
composed music together.
Carnegie Hall
In 1943, Duke played
Black, Brown, and
Beige at Carnegie
Hall. This
performance proved
that he had become a
master maestro.
His Influence
He wrote at least 1000
compositions that
included film scores,
ballets, musicals, and
orchestral suites.
Death
He died on May 24,
1974.
 His influence
continues in music
today.

His Songs
Sophisticated Lady
I Got it Bad
Black, Brown, and Beige
Tqke the “A” Train
Creole Love Call
Mood Indigo
Love You Madly
The Mooche
Jam With Sam
Presentation developed as part of the Adventure of
the American Mind project funded through the
Library of Congress. Photos come from the
American Memory Collection of the Library of
Congress.
Facts come from the book, Duke Ellington, by
Andria Davis Pinkney published in 1998 by
Hyperion Books.