In this publication, we will talk about the American leader of the jazz orchestra, arranger and jazz composer Duke Ellington. We will describe his biography, musical achievements and the last years of his life.
early years
Duke Ellington was born on April 29, 1899 in Washington, USA. The boy's father worked as a butler in the White House, and a little later changed his job and became a copyist. The mother of the future composer was a believer and played the piano perfectly. The presence of religion and music in the family had a positive effect on the education and future of Duke.
At the age of 7, Duke Ellington began to attend music classes, and at 11, the boy began to compose music on his own.
Education Duke received at the school for applied sciences and wanted to become an artist, after graduation, the teenager participated in the development of posters. However, the desire to work with paints soon passes and Ellington refuses the offered vacancy at the institute and decides to become a musician. In 1917, he studied music in Washington, and then became the head of the local ensemble.
Composer music in films and awards
While working in the Cotton Club group, Ellington takes part in the musical Show Girl.
In 1930, Duke Ellington's songs are featured in the movie Check and Double Check, one of which becomes a hit, performed by Bing Crosby. After 4 years, the composer writes music for another film - Murder at the Vanities.
In July 1941, Duke presented to the public the musical Jump for Joy, later the performance was performed 101 times, and a song called I Got It Bad became one of the most popular compositions of this production.
Some time will pass, and Ellington, together with the members of his orchestra, will write the new musical Beggar's Holiday. The premiere of this production will take place in December 1942.
During his career, Duke Ellington was awarded the Order of Liberty, the Gold Presidential Medal, the Order of the Legion of Honor of France, the Imperial Star of Ethiopia, and was awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Yale University and posthumously awarded one of the most prestigious U.S. prizes - the Pulitzer.
last years of life
Ellington felt bad during the compilation of music for the next film, “Exchange of Minds,” but he did not pay due attention to this. It will take some time, and the composer will be diagnosed with lung cancer, and after a year he will get pneumonia.
On May 24, 1974, the jazzman died, the funeral took place three days later at the New York cemetery of Woodlon. Publications about the death of America’s greatest composer appeared on the front pages of newspapers; President Richard Nixon made a speech in which he said that the memory of Ellington would live for many generations.