Happy Birthday, Duke Ellington!

Composers Datebook

Synopsis

On today’s date in 1899, Edward Kennedy Ellington was born in Washington, D.C.

The son of a former White House butler, Elllington was born into a comfortable middle-class African American household. After piano lessons from the aptly named Miss Klinkscales, Ellington composed his first original piece, The Soda Fountain Rag. Two important mentors were a local dance band leader, Oliver “Doc” Perry and a high school music teacher named Henry Grant, who introduced Ellington to classical composers like Debussy.

“From both these men I received freely and generously,” Ellington recalled. “I repaid them as I could, by playing piano for Mr. Perry, and by learning all I could from Mr. Grant.”

Always a stylish dresser, Ellington was nicknamed “The Duke” by friends, and while still in his teens, the five-piece dance band he formed was playing in New York City. That ensemble grew to 11 men by 1930 and to an orchestra of 19 by 1946.

The Ellington orchestra was an ensemble of jazz virtuosos, and for them Ellington would compose some 2000 original works, a body of music extensively documented in public and private recordings, and now regarded as one of the most astonishing musical accomplishments of the 20th century.

Music Played in Today's Program

Edward Kennedy “Duke” Ellington (1899-1974): The River Suite; Detroit Symphony; Neeme Järvi, conductor; Chandos 9154