Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington (29 April, 1899 - 24 May, 1974), also known as simply "Duke", was an American jazz composer, pianist, and bandleader. Through the ranks of Duke Ellington's Orchestra passed some of the biggest names in jazz, including Johnny Hodges, Cootie Williams, Bubber Miley, Joe "Tricky Sam" Nanton, Barney Bigard, Ben Webster, Harry Carney, Sonny Greer, Otto Hardwick, Clark Terry, Jimmy Blanton, Ray Nance, Paul Gonsalves, and Wellman Braud. Many musicians stayed with him for decades. And while all of them were remarkable in their own right, and they all would have probably made it into the annals of jazz history no matter who they played for, it was Ellington's genius as a composer, pianist, bandleader, celebrity personality, and, most importantly, arranger, that made them the most incredible orchestral unit in the history of jazz. His ability to write and arrange for personalities,
1 | Solitude (Alternate Take) | Money Jungle |
2 | Who Struck John? | Duke Ellington & His World Famous Orchestra (1946-1947) |
3 | Transblucency | The "Collection" '46-47 Recordings - Vol. 1 |
4 | Indiana | Duke Ellington & His World Famous Orchestra Vol2 ( |
5 | Sultry Sunset | Duke Ellington Centenary Collection |
6 | A Flower Is A Lovesome Thing | Duke Ellington & His World Famous Orchestra Vol2 ( |
7 | Fickle Fling | Duke Ellington & His World Famous Orchestra Vol2 ( |
8 | How High The Moon | Duke Ellington & His World Famous Orchestra (1946-1947) |
9 | Come Rain Or Come Shine | Duke Ellington & His World Famous Orchestra Vol2 ( |
10 | Park At 106th | Duke Ellington & His World Famous Orchestra (1946-1947) |
11 | Perdido | The "Collection" '46-47 Recordings - Vol. 1 |
12 | Just You, Just Me | Duke Ellington & His World Famous Orchestra Vol2 ( |
13 | Very Special | Money Jungle |
14 | Jam-A-Ditty | Duke Ellington & His World Famous Orchestra Vol2 ( |
15 | Backward Country Boy Blues | Money Jungle |
16 | Frustration | Duke Ellington & His World Famous Orchestra (1946-1947) |
17 | Flippant Flurry | Duke Ellington & His World Famous Orchestra Vol2 ( |
18 | Rugged Romeo | The "Collection" '46-47 Recordings - Vol. 1 |
19 | Warm Valley | Money Jungle |
20 | The Mooche | Duke Ellington & His World Famous Orchestra Vol2 |