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Non-fiction: Famous African Americans: Duke Ellington
Famous African Americans
Duke Ellington
In the 1920s, Harlem was buzzing 1 with jazz. The Harlem Renaissance
was in full bloom. African American artists, musicians, and writers were pouring
into this uptown Manhattan neighborhood. They were filling Harlem with life and
culture. At the center of it all was jazz music. And a central player in jazz was
Duke Ellington.
Duke Ellington was a composer. This means he wrote music. He also
played the piano and conducted 2 bands. He learned to play the piano growing
up in Washington, D.C. Later, he moved to New York with his band called the
Washingtonians. They played at the famous Cotton Club. The performers at the
Cotton Club were black. Most of the patrons were white.
Throughout his life, Ellington wrote tons of compositions. He wrote many
film scores. 3 He also wrote a lot of religious music. He is considered the
greatest composer in jazz history.
Duke Ellington died in 1974.
1
buzzing: to be filled with a low hum or murmur
conduct: to lead; to direct
3
score: the complete written music showing all of the individual parts. A film score is the background
music that is played during a movie.
2
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Questions: Famous African Americans: Duke Ellington
Name: ____________________________
Date:______________________
1. In the phrase, “the Harlem Renaissance was in full bloom,” the Harlem
Renaissance is being compared to
a.
b.
c.
d.
a time period.
the European Renaissance.
a flower.
regular Harlem.
2. Duke Ellington was
a.
b.
c.
d.
a native New Yorker.
an important figure in jazz.
the most famous figure from the Harlem Renaissance.
a saxophone player.
3. In his lifetime, Duke Ellington did not
a.
b.
c.
d.
play at the Cotton Club.
write film scores.
run for political office.
write jazz and religious music.
4. The author’s purpose in writing this passage was to
a.
b.
c.
d.
entertain.
inform.
persuade.
amuse.
5. Based on the passage, it can be inferred that Harlem in the 1920’s
a.
b.
c.
d.
had many important artists, musicians, and writers.
did not have that many people living there.
was only known for jazz music.
was known only for poetry.
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© 2012 ReadWorks®, Inc. All rights reserved.
Questions: Famous African Americans: Duke Ellington
6. What was the setting for most of Ellington’s career?
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
7. Based on the passage, why were most of the patrons at the Cotton Club white
during the 1920’s?
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
8. The question below is an incomplete sentence. Choose the word that best
completes the sentence.
Ellington learned to play the piano growing up in Washington, D.C.
___________ he moved to New York with his band called the Washingtonians.
a. before
b. when
c. because
d. after
9. Answer the following questions based on the sentence below.
In the 1920’s, African American artists, musicians, and writers moved to Harlem
because that is where the Harlem Renaissance was happening.
Who? African American artists, musicians, and writers
What? ___________________________________________________________
(to) Where? ______________________________________________________
When? __________________________________________________________
Why? ___________________________________________________________
10. Vocabulary Word: patrons: customers.
Use the vocabulary word in a sentence: ________________________________
________________________________________________________________
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© 2012 ReadWorks®, Inc. All rights reserved.
Answers: Famous African Americans: Duke Ellington
Teacher Guide and Answers
Passage Reading Level: Lexile 510
Featured Text Structure: Descriptive – the writer explains, defines or illustrates
a concept or topic
Passage Summary: This passage describes the importance of jazz in 1920’s
Harlem. Duke Ellington, a composer, was an impotant person during this period.
Ellington wrote and performed music throughout his life.
1. In the phrase, “the Harlem Renaissance was in full bloom,” the Harlem
Renaissance is being compared to
a. a time period.
b. the European Renaissance.
c. a flower.
d. regular Harlem.
2. Duke Ellington was
a. a native New Yorker.
b. an important figure in jazz.
c. the most famous figure from the Harlem Renaissance.
d. a saxophone player.
3. In his lifetime, Duke Ellington did not
a. play at the Cotton Club.
b. write film scores.
c. run for political office.
d. write jazz and religious music.
4. The author’s purpose in writing this passage was to
a. entertain.
b. inform.
c. persuade.
d. amuse.
5. Based on the passage, it can be inferred that Harlem in the 1920’s
a. had many important artists, musicians, and writers.
b. did not have that many people living there.
c. was only known for jazz music.
d. was known only for poetry.
6. What was the setting for most of Ellington’s career?
Suggested answer: Most of Ellington’s career took place in Harlem in
New York City.
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© 2012 ReadWorks®, Inc. All rights reserved.
Answers: Famous African Americans: Duke Ellington
7. Based on the passage, why were most of the patrons at the Cotton Club white
during the 1920’s?
Suggested answer: Patrons at the Cotton Club were mostly white likely
because this was during the 1920’s, when there was still segregation in
many places.
8. The question below is an incomplete sentence. Choose the word that best
completes the sentence.
Ellington learned to play the piano growing up in Washington, D.C.,
___________ he moved to New York with his band called the Washingtonians.
a. before
b. when
c. because
d. after
9. Answer the following questions based on the sentence below.
In the 1920s, African American artists, musicians, and writers moved to Harlem
because that is where the Harlem Renaissance was happening.
Who? African American artists, musicians, and writers
What? moved
(to) Where? Harlem
When? in the 1920’s
Why? because the Harlem Renaissance was happening
10. Vocabulary Word: patrons: customers.
Use the vocabulary word in a sentence: answers may vary.
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© 2012 ReadWorks®, Inc. All rights reserved.