Duke ellington biography for middle school detroit

Duke Ellington was an American jazz bandleader, pianist and composer. He is considered by many to be America`s greatest composer. By the time of his death, Ellington had appeared for more than 20,000 performances worldwide. Early years Edward Kennedy “Duke” Ellington was born in Washington, D.C., on April 29, 1899, to James Edward and Daisy Kennedy Ellington.

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His father made blueprints for the U.S. Navy and worked as a butler in the White House for extra money. His grandfather, James Ellington, had been a slave. Both of Duke’s parents played the piano, so it was natural that he took up lessons at the young age of seven. He also became interested in the visual arts, and chose to attend Armstrong Manual Training School to study commercial art.

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While vacationing with his mother, Duke heard a hot pianist named Harvey Brooks. At the end of his vacation, Duke sought out Brooks in Philadelphia, where the performer showed him some pianistic tricks and shortcuts. Duke could Contact Us / Contact the School - Detroit Public Schools TIMU