2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25
In this publication we will talk about the American jazz bandleader, arranger and jazz composer Duke Ellington. Let's describe his biography, musical achievements and the last years of his life.
Early years
Duke Ellington was born on April 29, 1899 in Washington, USA. The boy's father worked as a butler in the White House, and a little later he changed his job and became a copyist. The mother of the future composer was a believer and played the piano perfectly. The presence of religion and music in the family had a positive impact on Duke's upbringing and future.
At the age of 7, Duke Ellington began taking music classes, and at the age of 11, the boy began to compose music on his own.
Education Duke received at school in applied sciences and wanted to become an artist, after graduation, the teenager participated in the development of posters. However, the desire to work with paints soon passes and Ellington refuses the offered vacancy at the institute and decides to become a musician. In 1917, he studied musical art in Washington, and after that he became the leader of the local ensemble.
Composer music in films and awards
While working with the Cotton Club, Ellington takes part in the musical Show Girl.
In 1930, Duke Ellington's songs are heard in the movie Check and Double Check, one of which becomes a hit, performed by Bing Crosby. After 4 years, the composer writes the musical accompaniment for another film - Murder at the Vanities.
In July 1941, Duke presented the musical Jump for Joy to the public, later the performance was performed 101 times, and the song called I Got It Bad became one of the most popular compositions of this production.
It will take some time, and Ellington, along with members of his orchestra, will write a new musical, Beggar's Holiday. This production will premiere in December 1942.
During his career, Duke Ellington was awarded the Order of Liberty, the Presidential Gold Medal, the Order of the Legion of Honor of France, the Imperial Star of Ethiopia, and was awarded an honorary doctorate from Yale University and was posthumously awarded one of the most prestigious US prizes - the Pulitzer Prize.
Last years of life
While composing music for the next movie "Mind Exchange" Ellington felt bad, but did not pay enough attention to it. Some time will pass, and the composer will be diagnosed with lung cancer, and a year later he will fall ill with pneumonia.
On May 24, 1974, the jazzman died, the funeral took place three days later at New York's Woodlawn Cemetery. At firstThe death of America's greatest composer appeared in the newspapers, President Richard Nixon gave a speech saying that Ellington's memory would live on for generations.
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