Duke Ellington Research Paper

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The Life of Duke Ellington and His Influence on Jazz Duke Ellington was a widely influential musician and composer in jazz. His music inspired artists and many of his compositions have become standards in the jazz world. In this paper, I will explore the life, creations, and impact of Duke Ellington and his music on the Jazz Age. Duke Ellington was born in 1899 to his parents Daisy Kennedy Ellington and James Edward Ellington. Ellington was born and raised in Washington, D.C. and experienced a very loving childhood. His mother had a high school education and his father was a very hard worker, who worked jobs ranging from a butler to blueprinter. Ellington’s family would have been known as middle class. In Washington D.C. at the time, a strong caste system was in place within …show more content…
He began piano lessons again and would play for many cafes and music halls around his neighborhood. Ellington did not know how to read music, therefore many of his early compositions were out of necessity to have music to play for his audiences. He quickly became a hit and was increasingly in demand. His passion for growth and knowledge led him to Oliver Perry, who taught Ellington how to read music. Duke Ellington later dropped out of school and decided to pursue music professionally. He worked day jobs, and spent the night performing at clubs and music halls with his newly formed band “The Duke’s Serenaders.” His band quickly grew in popularity and were able to 1 Davis perform at venues such as Howard Theater, and Anderson Open Air Gardens. Ellington spent the first 25 years of his life in and around Washington D.C. but acquired an outstanding job for his band at the Harlem Cotton Club in New York City. Here Ellington was able to grow his band as well as use his own band to compose new and innovative music. In 1931 Duke Ellington left the Cotton Club and would spend nearly the rest of his life
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