Ellington, Duke

Duke Ellington Famed jazz composer and pianist Edward Kennedy Ellington, Washington, D.C., April 29, 1899; New York City, May 24, 1974. Ellington led an outstanding band for more than fifty years. They started recording in 1924 as The Washingtonians, but from 1927 on, under the Ellington name. His sidemen over the years comprised a Who’s Who of Jazz. Several who were with him from the beginning until their deaths were Otto Hardwick (alto sax), Fred Guy (banjo, guitar), Arthur Whetsol (trumpet)…