Happy Birthday Duke Ellington

Edward Kennedy “Duke” Ellington was born April 29, 1899, in Washington D.C. One of the major figures of jazz from the 1920s until his death in 1974, Ellington composed some of the biggest hits of the era: It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing), Mood Indigo, Sophisticated Lady, Satin Doll, to name just a few.

In the late 20s Ellington and his musicians became the house band for the Cotton Club in Harlem and remained there until 1931. The Depression was tough for everyone, including musicians but Ellington’s band continued to perform and record. In 1939 he met Billy Strayhorn, a classically trained musician who did much to polish and codify Ellington’s compositions. They also worked on some of Ellington’s longer compositions, such as “Black, Brown, and Beige” (1943). Strayhorn composed on his own, too. His song “Take the A Train” became the Ellington band’s theme song.

After the war, the face of music changed with many solo singers such as Frank Sinatra becoming what the public wanted to hear. Smaller groups rather than the “big bands” were also more cost-effective for club owners to engage. But in July 1956 the Ellington band appeared at the Newport Jazz Festival and the reception they received revived his career. By the end of the 50s Ellington and Strayhorn began to work on film scores, the first one being “Anatomy of a Murder” (a terrific movie by Otto Preminger with Jimmy Stewart).

The 60s saw Ellington record with such legends as Count Basie, Louis Armstrong, Coleman Hawkins, and John Coltrane. He performed all over the world and spent much time on overseas tours. In 1967 he recorded an album with Frank Sinatra called “Francis A. and Edward K.” Ironically, only one Ellington composition, “I Like the Sunrise” was used on the record. Ellington performed his last concert at Northern Illinois University on March 20, 1974. He died May 24, 1974.

A musical genius, he wasn’t so adept at personal relationships. Leaving his wife, he lived with several other women during his life. He also let it slide when songs that Strayhorn composed were attributed to Ellington. However, if we judged every musician by his morality, we’d have precious little music to listen to. For an excellent biography of Ellington, read Duke: A Life of Duke Ellington by Terry Teachout.

And now I leave you with the original 1932 recording of “It Don’t Mean a Thing” with vocalist Ivie Anderson. Enjoy!