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Duke Ellington

Acting

Born April 29, 1899 · Washington, District of Columbia, USA

Died May 24, 1974

Also known as Edward Kennedy Ellington · Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington

Biography

Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington was an American composer, pianist, and leader of a jazz orchestra from 1923 through the rest of his life. Born in Washington, D.C., Ellington was based in New York City from the mid-1920s and gained a national profile through his orchestra's appearances at the Cotton Club in Harlem.

Awards & recognition

  • Pulitzer Prize Special Citations and Awards · 1999
  • Songwriters Hall of Fame · 1971
  • Presidential Medal of Freedom · 1969
  • Grammy Trustees Award · 1968
  • Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award · 1966
Show all 10 awards →
  • Spingarn Medal · 1959
  • German Film Awardbest original music · 1957
  • Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
  • star on Hollywood Walk of Fame
  • Academy AwardBest Original Musical Score · 1962 · nominated

Filmography19 titles