Edward+Kennedy+Ellington

by Sheyenne Grade 5

Edward Kennedy Ellington was born on April 29, 1899, in Washington, D.C. Edward usually went by the nickname of “Duke” because when he was in high school a schoolmate renamed him “Duke” because he was always dress so well.

When Duke was seven years old he took piano lessons but wasn’t interested in it. Ellington hit junior high school and quit the lessons and was interested in art. After quitting the piano lessons and starting art he got enrolled in Armstrong Manuel Training with the intention of becoming a commercial artist after graduating.

When Duke was fourteen something happened that turned his life around. One day his family was in Asbury Park, New York, and he heard about a piano player named Harvey Brooks who had become popular in Philadelphia. So he and his family stopped in Philadelphia. Ellington was so dazzled by Brooks’ music that he made his own band. Ellington played the piano, he sang, and he played the trumpet. Ellington’s popularity expanded from the 1920’s to the middle of the 1970’s. Duke Ellington was celebrated as the most important jazz musician and composer in America.

Image source: http://www.montmartre-virt.paris4.sorbonne.fr/Map%20web%20site/Christine%20Montmartre/Harlem%20Renaissance.htm

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