Duke Ellington

American composer, pianist, and bandleader whose orchestra and compositions were central to 20th-century jazz.

Born April 29, 1899; died May 24, 1974. Renowned composer and bandleader; received major honors including the Presidential Medal of Freedom (1969).

Two DeBaser reviews cover Duke Ellington's late-career projects: Money Jungle (high praise for the trio with Mingus and Roach) and Afrique (a reflective, late-period work). Themes include Ellington's enduring compositional voice, collaborative interplay, and adaptation to changing jazz currents.

For:jazz listeners, record collectors, students of jazz history