Duke Ellington Research Paper

The world has witness great musicians who have left their marked in the music industry, but Duke Ellington revolutionized the industry with his music and showed the world a different type of style. Duke Ellington described his music as "American Music" rather than jazz, and he enjoyed to describe those who try and mimic him as "beyond category”. He is still one of the most influential figures in jazz, if not in all American music and is widely recognized as one of the twentieth century's best known African American players.
On April 29, 1899 world famous jazz player Edward Kennedy “Duke” Ellington was born. Born in his grandparents’ home in Washington, D.C, Edward Ellington was named after his father James Edward Ellington. Daisy Kennedy Ellington was the proud mother of Duke Ellington. Ellington parents strongly believe that all people were equal, and no race was better than another. They both believe Duke was meant for great things. Daisy treated Ellington in such a delicate manner and some believe she over spoil him, but the reason behind why Daisy treated her new born that way was because in earlier years, Daisy give birth to a new born who died as an infant.
James Edward Ellington, Duke Ellington’s father, was born in North Carolina in
Coming from a poor community where blacks just wanted to prove themselves, Duke Ellington lived in an era and environment where African Americans were looked down by one another. The lighter skin color a person was, the higher they thought of themselves and put other darker skin African Americans down. Duke Ellington never talked about his childhood life living in Washington, but he often said that Washington was good to him but he got out of there as soon as he could without turning