The piano prince and his orchestra by andrea davis pinkney and brian pinkney. Groundbreaking new biographies of jazz giants duke. Harry carney home movies, ruth ellington collection. Duke began playing piano at seven, but was more interested in baseball. But the youngster eventually got hit in the head with a bat during a game, and thats where his baseball career ended. Duke ellington by andrea and brian pinkney is a book celebrating the life of duke ellington, who is one of the most inspirational jazz musicians of his time. Inspire a love of reading with prime book box for kids. Ellington formed his first band in 1917, the dukes serenaders. The piano prince and his orchestra is a childrens picture book written by andrea davis pinkney and illustrated by brian pinkney. Jan 09, 2012 duke ellington was born april 29, 1899, in washington, d.
After you indulge on thanksgiving, consider giving duke ellingtons simply steak diet a try. Rare footage of duke ellington highlights when jazz and baseball. Sonny was also an excellent athlete, renowned for his prowess in baseball and track. Both of his parents were pianists, and his father also made blueprints for the united states navy. A major figure in the history of jazz music, his career spanned more than half a century, during which time he composed thousands of. Patriots improbable run to the super bowl, baseball star bobby thomson the giants win the pennant. Duke ellington biography, life, interesting facts early life and career. His life in jazz with 21 activities and millions of other books are. Duke s parents enrolled him in piano lessons at the age of eight. Despite most of dukes story being fabricated, this part was actually true. An originator of bigband jazz, duke ellington was an american composer, pianist and bandleader who composed thousands of scores over his 50year career.
Duke ellington, american pianist who was the greatest jazz composer and bandleader of his time. Wondering how to book the duke ellington orchestra for your event. When duke was seven years old, he began taking piano lessons. Duke ellington the duke plays ellington 1958, vinyl. Early on in the episode, ellington talks about how his early passion was playing baseball and. Books by duke ellington author of music is my mistress. Booking entertainment can book the duke ellington orchestra for corporate events worldwide, providing you with the fee to book the duke ellington orchestra and their availability on your specific date. The principal aim of this site is to provide as full an online discography of the recorded works of duke ellington as possible. Jan 14, 2020 an originator of bigband jazz, duke ellington was an american composer, pianist and bandleader who composed thousands of scores over his 50year career.
In season 3, ellington gets his own episode dedicated to his life. Summary duke ellington was born on april 29, 1899 in washington, d. Edward kennedy duke ellington april 29, 1899 may 24, 1974 was an american composer, pianist, and leader of a jazz orchestra, which he led from 1923 until his death over a career spanning more than six decades born in washington, d. In that same book, he discussed his passion for the sport.
In his 1973 autobiography music is my mistress, from a chapter titled the taste buds, duke ellington writes about his special diet, losing thirty pounds while on it, and the resulting onstage antics. Duke ellington simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. At left, duke ellington waves to fans when he arrives in london in 1958. In the show, the ghost of duke ellington is a recurring character from. Edward was nicknamed duke by a classmate who admired him. The duke plays ellington was first released as a 10 lp on capitol records in 1954, but later, in 1958, when the more popular 12 vinyl had become the norm in the music industry, the album was. Did teddy roosevelt really watch duke ellington play baseball. Duke ellington and band members playing baseball in front of their segregated motel astor motel while touring in florida. Though ellington took piano lessons, he was more interested in baseball. Jan 21, 2020 to say that duke ellington april 29, 1899 may 24, 1974 had a productive and illustrious career would be a major understatement. As a composer, arranger, pianist and bandleader, he was a major. Home movies of duke ellington playing baseball and how. In the show, the ghost of duke ellington is a recurring character from season 1. Every purchase includes our industry recognized coa.
Duke ellington was an american jazz pianist, composer, and bandleader. In his memoir, the duke ellington reader, ellington recalled a moment from childhood. That child, rex stewart, would later play in ellington s orchestra. Edward kennedy duke ellington april 29, 1899 may 24, 1974 was an american composer, pianist, and big band leader. The young duke, born edward kennedy ellington in washington d. Duke was also influenced by his strong identification with his father. His royal nickname seemed appropriate for duke because his elegant manner and dapper dress gave him the character of a young aristocrat. Duke ellington was the most important composer in the history of jazz as well as being a bandleader who held his large group together continuously for almost 50 years.
And then other band leaders like benny goodman, count basie, tommy dorsey, and duke ellington formed baseball teams with members of. What kinds of instruments did duke ellington have in his band. This day in history april 29, 1899 mystic stamp discovery center. He later remembered president theodore roosevelt watched him play baseball. A semifinalist for the national book award, duke peels away countless layers of ellingtons evasion and public deception to tell the unvarnished truth about the creative genius who inspired miles davis to say, all the musicians should get together one certain day and get down on their knees and thank duke. See more ideas about duke ellington, duke and jazz. Capitol black label with color band and logo on left. The book begins with ellingtons childhood, and describes his early interest in music and the beginning of his career. At first, ellington was more interested in baseball than playing the piano. Duke ellington was born edward kennedy ellington in washington, d. Despite this disappointment, a broadway production of ellingtons beggars holiday, his sole book musical, premiered on december 23, 1946. The piano prince and his orchestra by andrea davis pinkney, help the b. Expand product details the story of one of americas greatest composers, duke ellington, is lavishly told here in jazzinspired prose.
A stunning introduction to duke ellington s life and work, the book includes a bibliography, videography, and list of museum exhibitions dedicated to ellington. Duke ellington was born april 29, 1899, in washington, d. Duke ellington british program from a 1948 duke ellington concert tour, signed by ellington on the front cover program signed duke ellington in blue ink on cover. As a child, he actually enjoyed baseball more than piano.
There were many open lots around washington then, and we used to play baseball at an old tennis court on. Many sources have been consulted including, massagli and volontes the new desor, the dems bulletin and archive, desuks blue light, ken vails dukes diary, dr. It is a chargedup introduction to duke ellington, his band, and his music. Edward kennedy duke ellington was one of jazzs greatest innovators. Dukes parents enrolled him in piano lessons at the age of eight. A childhood friend seems to have christened the young edward kennedy ellington duke, thus sealing his air of eminence. Ellington used his band as a musical laboratory for his new compositions and shaped his writing specifically to showcase the talents of his bandmembers, many of whom remained with him. Part of fitzgeralds song book series, it is the only one where the composer is also featured as a performer and the first occasion fitzgerald. To be eligible for tryouts a current sports physical must be on file with the nurse 24 hours before the first meeting. Duke ellington all the best full album greatest jazz musician duration. Oct, 20 at left, duke ellington waves to fans when he arrives in london in 1958. Duke ellington autograph historyforsale item 161036. However, when duke grew older and heard piano played in. The hippest cats of jazzatooty were duke ellington and his friend billy strayhorn.
Duke ellington the duke plays ellington 1958, vinyl discogs. Booking entertainment is the leading entertainment booking agency for booking the duke ellington orchestra for events worldwide our the duke ellington orchestra agent will be happy to help you get the duke ellington orchestra s availability and booking fee, or the price and availability for any other alist entertainer, band. What special places did duke ellington perform in when he came to new york city. Tobias homers in 42 loss at hartford dogs rally for three in the ninth, win 98 at trenton. To say that duke ellington april 29, 1899 may 24, 1974 had a productive and illustrious career would be a major understatement. Together they composed some of the swingingest sounds in jazz and big band music, and people loved to dance to the music of the duke ellington orchestra. He also played blues, gospel, pop, and classical music. Charlotte brooks, photographer, look magazine photograph collection. Ella fitzgerald sings the duke ellington song book is a 1957 studio album by the american jazz singer ella fitzgerald, accompanied by duke ellington and his orchestra, focusing on ellingtons songs part of fitzgeralds song book series, it is the only one where the composer is also featured as a performer and the first occasion fitzgerald recorded with ellington. Shop for duke ellington related autographs, signed photographs, historical documents and manuscripts from the worlds largest collection.
How did duke ellington feel about playing the piano as a boy. The story of one of americas greatest composers, duke ellington, is lavishly told here in jazzinspired prose. Edward kennedy duke ellington april 29, 1899 may 24, 1974 was an american composer. A current physical must have happened within the last 12 months. One of the originators of bigband jazz, ellington led his band for more than half a century, composed thousands of scores, and created one of the most distinctive ensemble sounds in all of western music. Andrea davis pinkneys text is well complemented by the rich, colorful illustrations by her husband and collaborator, brian pinkney. He taught duke how to swim, and a year later, ellington saved a boy from drowning. Ella fitzgerald sings the duke ellington song book is a 1957 studio album by the american jazz singer ella fitzgerald, accompanied by duke ellington and his orchestra, focusing on ellingtons songs.
A stunning introduction to duke ellingtons life and work, the book includes a bibliography, videography, and list of museum exhibitions dedicated to ellington. At his parents insistence, he took piano lessons and, by the time he was 19, music was. Duke ellington is a biography of the legendary composer. He was one of the most important musicians in the history of recorded music, and is called one of the greatest figures in jazz music. Ellington went to armstrong technical high school in washington, d. When the duke was a kid, he imagined himself becoming a professional baseball player one day. Duke ellingtons most popular book is music is my mistress. In 1955 my doctor, arthur logan, told me i would have to take off twentytwo pounds.
The story starts out when young duke ellington is learning to play the piano and hears ragtime music being played. One of the originators of bigband jazz, ellington led his band for more than half a century, composed thousands of scores, and created one of the most distinctive ensemble sounds in. Ella fitzgerald sings the duke ellington song book wikipedia. Early on in the episode, ellington talks about how his early passion was playing baseball and he mentions former president teddy roosevelt used to watch him play.
A life of louis armstrong edward kennedy duke ellington was the greatest jazz composer of the twentieth centuryand an impenetrably enigmatic personality whom no one, not even his closest friends, claimed to understand. Duke ellington the duke plays ellington releases discogs. Throughout the book duke ellington, there are many vibrant examples of similes and metaphors. Stratemanns duke ellington day by day and film by film, mark tucker. Printable assessment page for learning through the duke extensions. When he was a boy, edward kennedy ellington s first love was baseball.
Apr 01, 2014 duke ellington and band members playing baseball in front of their segregated motel astor motel while touring in florida. That child, rex stewart, would later play in ellingtons orchestra. Duke ellington has 120 books on goodreads with 1662 ratings. We have helped our clients book the duke ellington orchestra and thousands of other acts for almost 25 years. Ellingtons friends noticed that he acted like a gentleman, and gave him a nickname, duke. When he was a boy, edward kennedy ellingtons first love was baseball. Apr 25, 2020 duke ellington, american pianist who was the greatest jazz composer and bandleader of his time. Above, you can watch ellington playing ball in some home videos, both hitting and pitching. He was born edward kennedy ellington, a smart, baseballloving kid from. Groundbreaking new biographies of jazz giants duke ellington. A major new biography of duke ellington from the acclaimed author of pops. Edward kennedy duke ellington april 29, 1899 may 24, 1974 was an american composer, pianist, and leader of a jazz orchestra, which he led from 1923 until his death over a career spanning more than six decades.