#Duke ellington compositions full
#Duke ellington compositions professional

Once he was known only for his classic big-band compositions, but over the decades his longer works have continued to gain popularity. Since his death, Ellington's reputation has continued to soar. The Ellington band is one of the few that experienced a popular revival afterward.

Decline of the Big Bands: An increasing emphasis on star vocalists, like Frank Sinatra, and also the effects of a strike by the American Federation of Musicians against the record companies in 1942-44, helped bring the era of big bands to a close.

Beyond Category: Ellington preferred 'American music' to 'jazz' in describing his music.

Mercer's son, Paul, the composer's grandson, took over after Mercer's death, in 1996, and still runs the orchestra and Ellington's publishing company, Tempo Music. He took over leadership of the band on his father's death, and also arranged and conducted the music for Sophisticated Ladies (1983), the successful Broadway musical based on the Duke's music.

All in the Family: Ellington's son, Mercer, played trumpet in his father's band in 1940-41, contributing the standard Moon Mist to its repertory.

His thorough grounding in classical theory and form were invaluable to Ellington in composing his longer works. The Strayhorn Effect: 'Swee' Pea,' as Billy Strayhorn was nicknamed in the band, was an important composer in his own right, and contributed a number of compositions and arrangements to the band's repertory.Friends and fans sent him sweets from around the world. Chocaholic: Ellington had an enormous sweet tooth.First Impressions: Always exquisitely dressed, poised, and graceful, and armed with a noble and charming personality, Ellington never publicly revealed his age and often provided subtle hints of his own vanity.A documentary film about him and his orchestra's life on tour is completed in the final year of his life. He receives numerous awards, honors, and accolades from around the world. Later years, 1957-74: Ellington composes liturgical music (the Sacred Concerts), and incidental music, as well as film scores.A fiery performance at the 1956 Newport Jazz Festival puts the band back on track and leads to another long-term recording contract. Ellington's doggedness and his status keep the ensemble going through the lean decade. The decline of big-band jazz, and the rise of bebop, rhythm and blues, and rock, causes a dip in the band's fortunes. However, these works are less well-received. With Strayhorn's advice and aid, the Duke writes larger, multimovement works, most significantly the suite Black, Brown, and Beige (1943). Holding things together, 1943-56: Ellington further expands the size of his ensemble, and brings it to Carnegie Hall.Strayhorn writes Take the A-Train that year. In 1940, Billy Strayhorn arrives as second pianist and Ellington's kindred compositional collaborator and contributor.

#Duke ellington compositions full

He also experiments with longer, more involved pieces for the full band, such as Creole Rhapsody (1931), the first jazz number to occupy both sides of a 78-rpm record, Reminiscing in Tempo (1935, four sides, a tribute to his recently deceased mother), Concerto for Cootie (1940), and Ko-Ko (1940). Ellington writes and records some of his signature pieces, such as It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing) (1932), Sophisticated Lady (1933), Caravan (1937, by trombonist Juan Tizol), Do Nothin' Till You Hear From Me (1940), and I Got It Bad (and That Ain't Good) (1940). Expansion and experimentation, 1932-42: Ellington's expanded band makes successful American and European tours of major cities.Under the shrewd management of Irving Mills, the band goes on to make about 200 recordings and is featured in a 1929 Hollywood short film, Black and Tan, and a number of films thereafter. Cotton Club, 1927-30: Ellington forms the Duke Ellington Orchestra, which shares top billing with the likes of Louis Armstrong at Harlem's exclusive Cotton Club cabaret.The members later provide the nucleus for Ellington's own band. He performs in various venues around New York City with the band, which expands to a 10-piece outfit. New York City, 1923-27: After initial disappointments, Ellington takes pianist Fats Waller's advice and stays in New York to work with Elmer Snowden's band, The Washingtonians.A year later, Ellington marries Edna Thompson, and in 1919 their son, Mercer, is born. He forms his first ensemble, 'The Duke's Serenaders' (or the 'Colored Syncopators') in 1917.

#Duke ellington compositions professional

Edward's friends notice his elegant manners and sharp appearance and nickname him 'Duke.' Edward begins studying piano at age 7 and makes his professional debut at 17.

Beginnings, 1899-1919: Both mother, Daisy, and father, James Edward Ellington, were amateur pianists.