Duke Ellington By bkk9820 Feb 17, 1899 Born Duke Ellington was born in 1899 in Washington D.C. Feb 17, 1906 Piano He was 11 years old.He begin to take piano lesson's from Mrs.Clinkscales though he perferred baseball at the time. Feb 17, 1916 College He went to college. Apr 21, 1974 DEAD He died.