Duke ELLINGTON

Duke Ellington is a pillar of 20th century American music with a career that lasted more than 50 years. He is one of the undisputed names in jazz music. His work, of approximately three thousand compositions, is the largest in the history of jazz. Indeed, many of his pieces are considered today as essential standards.

Ellington knew how to make jazz an art and not just music. Giving both intelligence to dance music and a swaying to intellectual music. The first concerts in 1926 at the Cotton Club quickly led him to dazzling fame. At the head of his own "big band" composed of saxophonist Johnny Hodges, and trumpeter Cootie Williams. In 1933, after a tour with his orchestra in England, Duke Ellington obtained the recognition of many music composers. This awakened in him a desire to compose in a more in-depth way.

At the end of World War II, Ellington's fame faded in favor of new "bebop" jazz groups and singers like Frank Sinatra. It was not until the Newport Jazz Festival in 1956 that he found the appreciation of a new and wider audience. Rewarded on numerous occasions with distinctions such as the "Pulitzer Prize" and the "Légion d'Honneur". Duke Ellington not only contributed to the evolution of jazz in the 20th century, but also played a major role in the history of this genre.

Discover his collaboration with John Coltrane in our catalog.