Duke Ellington

Biography

Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington was a visionary American composer, pianist, and jazz leader born in Washington, D.C. in 1899. He gained national prominence through his orchestra's appearances at the Cotton Club in Harlem, showcasing his mastery of miniatures for the three-minute recording format. A prolific writer, Ellington composed over 1,000 pieces, including the jazz standard "Caravan," which brought a Spanish flair to big band jazz.