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 | Embraceable You | Duke Ellington & His World Famous Orchestra (1946-1947) |
2 | Frisky | Duke Ellington & His World Famous Orchestra (1946-1947) |
3 | Solitude (Alternate Take) | Money Jungle |
4 | Royal Garden Blues | Duke Ellington & His World Famous Orchestra (1946-1947) |
5 | Flippant Flurry | Duke Ellington & His World Famous Orchestra Vol2 ( |
6 | Swamp Fire | Duke Ellington & His World Famous Orchestra (1946-1947) |
7 | You Don't Love Me No More | The "Collection" '46-47 Recordings - Vol. 1 |
8 | Beale St. Blues | Duke Ellington & His World Famous Orchestra (1946-1947) |
9 | On The Alamo | Duke Ellington & His World Famous Orchestra Vol2 ( |
10 | Suddenly It Jumped | The "Collection" '46-47 Recordings - Vol. 1 |
11 | Jumpin' Punkins | Duke Ellington Centenary Collection |
12 | Park At 106th | Duke Ellington & His World Famous Orchestra (1946-1947) |
13 | Wig Wise | Money Jungle |
14 | Jump For Joy | Duke Ellington Centenary Collection |
15 | Crosstown | The "Collection" '46-47 Recordings - Vol. 1 |
16 | How High The Moon | Duke Ellington & His World Famous Orchestra (1946-1947) |
17 | Someone | Duke Ellington & His World Famous Orchestra Vol2 ( |
18 | Blue Abandon | The "Collection" '46-47 Recordings - Vol. 1 |
19 | A Little Max (Alternate Take) | Money Jungle |
20 | Sultry Sunset | Duke Ellington Centenary Collection |