Pateira's Journal: Ellington Considered His Works “American Music”

February 24
Posted by Luís Antunes in Music

Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington was born 1899 in Washington, D.C. (1899 - 1974). By the time of his passing, he was considered amongst the world’s greatest composers and musicians.

Ellington called his style and sound "American Music" rather than jazz, and liked to describe those who impressed him as "beyond category", including many of the musicians who served with his orchestra, some of whom were themselves considered among the giants of jazz and remained with Ellington's orchestra for decades. While many were noteworthy in their own right, it was Ellington that melded them into one of the most well-known orchestral units in the history of jazz.

Some of Ellington’s greatest works include “Rockin’ in Rhythm,” “Satin Doll,” “New Orleans,” “A Drum is a Women,” “Take the 'A' Train,” “Happy-Go-Lucky Local,” “The Mooche,” and “Crescendo in Blue.” Duke Ellington wrote and recorded hundreds of musical compositions, all of which will continue to have a lasting effect upon people worldwide for a long time to come. [Duke Ellington is profiled at AfriClassical.com]