Happy 108th Birthday Duke Ellington!

click duke to enlarge

Duke Ellington would have been 108 years old today (born April 29, 1899, died May 24, 1974). He is usually considered one of the most important figures to emerge from jazz scene in the twentieth century. Duke, however, didn't usually speak of jazz, but instead liked to consider his work just music. Jazz was too narrow for Ellington, although he created some of the best jazz yet, as well as nurtured hundreds of young musicians. Here is a YouTube video of his 1942 band:


Duke's band performing C Jame Blues in 1942


---o0o---