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Birth
Edward Kennedy Ellington was born in Washington D.C. on April 29, 1899. -
Childhood
Duke Ellington was raised by two talented, musical parents who both happened to be pianists in a middle-class neighborhood. When Ellington was 7 years old, his parents wanted him to follow in their footsteps so he began piano lessons and earned the nickname "Duke" for his gentlemanly ways. -
First Composition
Inspired by his job as a soda jerk, he wrote his first composition, "Soda Fountain Rag," at the age of 15. Although he was awarded an art scholarship to the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York, Ellington followed his passion for ragtime and began to play professionally at age 17. -
Forming the band
He formed his own group “The Duke's Serenaders". The very first performance that he gave was at the True Reformer's Hall, where he earned 75 cents. Ellington’s music and his band thrived and played throughout Washington, D.C. and Virginia. -
Turning point
This was a turning point in his career when he made a career-advancing agreement with agent-publisher Irving Mills. This agreement with Mills allowed him to record prolifically, which, in turn, brought popular recognition to Ellington. -
Compositions
Ellington's fame rose to the rafters in the 1940s when he composed several pieces, including "Concerto for Cootie," "Cotton Tail" and "Ko-Ko." Some of his most popular songs included "It Don't Mean a Thing if It Ain't Got That Swing," "Sophisticated Lady," "Prelude to a Kiss," "Solitude," and "Satin Doll." -
Grammy Winner
Ellington became a Grammy favorite in his later years. He won a 1966 Grammy for best original jazz composition for "In the Beginning, God," part of his sacred concerts. His 1967 album "Far East Suite", won the best instrumental jazz performance Grammy that year, and he took home his sixth Grammy in the same category in 1969 for "And His Mother Called Him Bill". -
Death
Duke Ellington died of lung cancer and pneumonia. His last words were, "Music is how I live, why I live and how I will be remembered." More than 12,000 people attended his funeral. He was buried in Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx, New York City.