Profile of the Day: Duke Ellington

On this day in 1899, Jazz icon Duke Ellington was born. Considered one of the greatest composers of the 20th century, Ellington composed thousands of scores throughout his long career.

Image: Duke Ellington / Library of Congress

Ellington was born Edward Kennedy Ellington on April 29, 1899 in Washington, D.C. He was the son of James Edward Ellington and Daisy Kennedy, who were both pianists. He began learning the piano at the age of seven, and by fifteen, he was composing his own music. His childhood friends gave him the nickname “Duke” for his aristocratic manners and dapper dress.

An originator of big-band jazz, Ellington created one of the most distinctive ensemble sounds in Western music. Some of his most popular songs include “It Don’t Mean a Thing if it Ain’t Got That Swing,” “Take the A Train,” and “Sophisticated Lady.” With a career that spanned over five decades, Ellington is remembered as one of the greatest and influential composers of the 20th century.

Ellington died on May 24, 1974 of complications from lung cancer and pneumonia. He was 75.

View Duke Ellington’s Geni Profile