Essay on The Life and Times of Duke Ellington
Put it this way: Jazz is a good barometer of freedom… In
its beginnings, the United States of America spawned certain ideals of freedom
and independence through which, eventually, jazz was evolved, and the music is
so free that many people say it is the only unhampered, unhindered expression
of complete freedom yet produced in this country.
-Duke
Ellington
Introduction
One of the most major forces that shaped and developed the
Jazz and American music is Duke Ellington. He is known to bring Jazz in its
renowned form today. As a form of music, Jazz might have started out in a chaos
and rough arrangements, but it is through the improvisation of Ellington’s compositions
that finally it reached its perfect moments. He was able to put jazz at its
peak where it served to be a symbol of the genuine expressions of American ideas
and stories. As a genius composer, pianist and band leader who arranged
thousands of compositions in a very innovative manner, he was able to tell the
evolution of the American musical story throughout the world.
Early Life and Career
Edward Kennedy Ellington was born on April 29, 1899 and was
raised by both musically inclined parents in a middle class neighborhood of
Washington DC. He was the second child of James Edward and Daisy Ellington. The
heart of the Ellington’s home was their entertainment room where their prized
piano sat at the center. Edward’s childhood days during the early 1900’s were
spent mostly around family, relative and friends who gather round to play the
piano and sing together. Both his parents played the piano and sing the current
popular songs at that time. Being exposed at such musical environment, Edward
as a child also enjoyed the music and started to play the piano and sing at
home and in church. As he got older, he started to love listening to the rag
pianists playing in the soda café’s and fountains (Crease 3-4). Because of his
gentlemanly ways even at the age of 7, he was then called by his friends as
“Duke”. Duke as his nickname then lingered. He became more and more interested
in the popular music that he hears around his neighborhood that he started to
play the piano and imitate the styles and the songs of the pianists that he
listened to. At the of 15, he already wrote his first composition entitled
“Soda Fountain Rag”. He was then awarded an art scholarship to the Pratt
Institute in Brooklyn but then he chose to follow his passion for music and
began to professionally play the piano at the age of 17 (bio.True Story).
In the 1920’s he began performing in the Broadway night clubs
as a sextet’s band leader which then grew into a 10- piece ensemble. In 1923,
he went to New York where he became known as one of the most successful band
leaders. Together with his band, Duke
was able to make hundred of music recordings. It was in the 1940’s where Duke’s
fame rose to the top when he composed iconic jazz masterworks including
"Cotton Tail", "Ko-Ko and "Concerto For Cootie”. Some of
his popular songs during that time includes ""It Don't Mean a Thing
if It Ain't Got That Swing," Satin Doll” and "Prelude to a
Kiss."
Music and Legacy
As a great musician and a composer, Duke was able to achieve
popular success through his significant music. His music arrangements are very
remarkable that they were able to achieve high reverence even at the most
respected musicians at that time. These musical compositions then become
standards and icons of the jazz music. But as a composer, Duke is very
innovative that he is not contented in playing his songs the same ways over
again. He love to constantly rearrange and modernize his style. He used
varieties and combinations of tones, scales, harmonies ad instruments that made
his music very mind blowing. It was his musical drama that made him stand out
more. He was able to move people with his blends of rhythms, sonic movement and
melodies. With his music, people were able to feel his new and complex
experience of jazz. His music focused around the central theme of the different
aspects of African-American life which then further made people and audience
hearts swing.
All throughout his career,
Ellington received 12 Grammy Awards. He
was also awarded the Springarn Medal
from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) in
1959. The Yale University also awarded him a doctor of music degree in 1967. He
was also given a medal of freedom by president Richard Nixon. During the 1964, he was also nominated for a Pulitzer Prize
(Encyclopedia of World Bibliography).
Aside from achieving a lot of awards
and recognitions for his music, the Duke’s legacy will always be remembered as
that of the great musician and composer who made daring innovations in his
music. He will always be remembered as one of the greatest talents in jazz who
built his music unconventional constructions and unexpected places. Duke’s
music will always inspire people of all ages everywhere to be more creative and
bold in pursuing their passion.
Sources:
Crease,
Stephanie S. Duke Ellington: His Life in
Jazz with 21 Activities. Chicago: Chicago Review Press, 2009.
Encyclopedia
of World Bibliography. Duke Ellington
Bibliography. 2013. Web. 7 Jul 2013 <http://www.notablebiographies.com/Du-Fi/Ellington-Duke.html>.
Bio. Rue Story. Duke
Ellington Bibliography. 2013. Web. 7 Jul 2013 <http://www.biography.com/people/duke-ellington-9286338>.
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