Ellington is the musics greatest composer, and perhapsas this book suggeststhe greatest american composer of any category, period. Martin denny, arthur lyman, and gordon jenkins all covered it. Judy monroe peterson biography of african american musician duke ellington, who influenced jazz and popular music in general. Woody allen used the song in two of his films, alice and sweet and lowdown. Mar 22, 2016 duke ellington was the undisputed father of the american songbook.
With c jam blues, the melody is so simple theres not that much you can do in terms of chord melody. Some latterday writings on ellington, such as john howlands ellington uptown. Part of fitzgeralds song book series, it is the only one where the composer is also featured as a performer and the first occasion fitzgerald recorded with ellington. Rather than being a dry biography, its both a pageturner and visual celebration of a fabulous life and career. The piano was at the heart and soul of duke ellingtons approach to making music. William thomas strayhorn november 29, 1915 may 31, 1967 was an american jazz composer, pianist, lyricist, and arranger, best remembered for his longtime collaboration with bandleader and composer duke ellington that lasted nearly three decades. Ellington made his first professional appearance as a jazz pianist in 1916. Great for recitals, concerts, receptions, parties, and encores. In this book ken rattenbury offers the most thorough musical analysis ever written of ellingtons works, assessing the extent to which ellington drew on the black music traditions of blues and ragtime and the music of tin pan alley, and examining how he. Jazz composer duke ellington sits with billie holiday. Apr 25, 2020 duke ellington, american pianist who was the greatest jazz composer and bandleader of his time.
Ken rattenbury duke ellington, jazz composer 1st edition. Nov 04, 2014 edward kennedy duke ellington was the greatest jazz composer of the 20th century and an impenetrably enigmatic personality whom no one, not even his closest friends, claimed to understand. Duke ellington was the most important composer in the history of jazz as well as being a bandleader who held his large group together continuously for almost 50 years. Oct 08, 2008 this is a segment from the film reveille with beverly from 1943. Sings the duke ellington song book verve ella fitzgerald. It is a solid, reliable biography based upon recent archival research as well as interviews conducted by the author and other ellington scholars. Hemmings explains his approach to arranging a song like c jam blues with so very little musical information to work with. The success of the endeavor led to seven more song book albums, one of which would be dedicated to bandleader and composer duke ellington. Creative jazz composing and arranging david berger isbn. At even this late date, edward kennedy duke ellington remains a controversial figure. American composer, pianist, and orchestra leader duke ellington was the first genuine jazz composer of truly international status.
See more ideas about duke ellington, jazz and jazz composers. A life of louis armstrong edward kennedy duke ellington was the greatest jazz composer of the twentieth centuryand an impenetrably enigmatic personality whom no one, not even his closest friends, claimed to understand. Duke ellingtons nutcracker suite by anna harwell celenza a special selection, if time allows this book and cd show how ellington modified tchaikovskys famous nutcracker. In addition to his supreme musical gifts as a bandleader, composer and arranger, showman and entertainer.
In his preface, rattenbury clearly states that his book focuses on ellingtons work from the years 1939. Websites louis armstrong house museum louis armstrong duke ellington jazz youtube playlist this has many. This is a landmark volume in jazz criticism, a kaleidoscopic portrait of duke ellington s creative world, documenting his extraordinary achievements as composer, songwriter, bandleader, and pianist. Duke ellington all the best full album greatest jazz. A pivotal fixture of the harlem renaissance, duke ellington was the bandleader of the historic cotton club and a master composer writing close to 3,000 songs in his lifetime and capturing the spirit of the black experience in the unites states. Buy the paperback book duke ellington, jazz composer by ken rattenbury at indigo. With a career that spanned five decades, he is one of the defining composers of the jazz age. Quincy jones is a musician, composer, and record producer, with a record seventynine grammy award nominations. As james collier, author of the biography duke ellington oxford university press, usa, 1987 observed in his essay in harlem renaissance. He also thrived as a musician against the odds of racism. While edward kennedy ellington was given the nickname of duke early. Duke ellington edward kennedy ellington, 18991974, american jazz musician and composer, b.
Cornel west is a philosopher, activist, political commentator, and occasional musician. I was reading a book last week in which the author quoted duke ellington. Edward kennedy duke ellington was the greatest jazz composer of the twentieth centuryand. Part of fitzgeralds song book series, it is the only one where the composer is also featured as a performer and the first occasion fitzgerald. Duke ellington composed over 3000 songs, including. Duke ellingtons nutcracker suite once upon a masterpiece only 17 left in stock more on the way. I love david bergers new book, creative jazz composing. New jazz uke books on duke ellington and charlie parker. April 29, 1899 birthday of edward kennedy duke ellington. The jazz musician and composer known as duke ellington was born into washington, d. This interpretive biography offers insights into ellingtons enduring appeal, not only as a composer and pianoplaying leader of a jazz orchestra, but as a cultural icon.
His compositions include take the a train, chelsea bridge, a flower is a lovesome. In fact, these recordings are packed with some of the key figures in 20th century jazz. Dukea ellington was the greatest jazz composer of the twentieth centuryaand an impenetrably enigmatic personality whom no one, not even his closest friends, claimed to understand. This is an unusual survey of the firstand formativethird of duke ellingtons career as a composer. Edward kennedy duke ellington april 29, 1899 may 24, 1974 was an american composer.
By 1918 he had formed a band, and after appearances in nightclubs in harlem he became one of the most famous figures in american jazz. To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up. Over a 50year career, ellington became one of the biggest names in jazz as we know it. Ella fitzgerald sings the duke ellington song book is a 1957 studio album by the american jazz singer ella fitzgerald, accompanied by duke ellington and his orchestra, focusing on ellingtons songs. Duke on uke opens with the most famous jazz jam session tune of all time, ellington s 1942 twonote masterpiece c jam blues. You dont have to look very closely at the photo of duke ellington on the. This quality folio contains 16 of the best from americas premier jazz band composer, arranged for string quartet up to string orchestra. Edward kennedy duke ellington april 29, 1899 may 24, 1974 was an american composer, pianist, and leader of a jazz orchestra, which he led from 1923 until his death over a career spanning more than six decades. David berger is recognized internationally as a leading authority on the music of duke ellington and the swing era.
Her jazz following was delighted and the vast audiences devoted to the cherished composers of popular song was reintroduced to that music in the exhilarating fitzgerald mode. I also think a good case can be made that, all in all, ellington. The duke ellington real book c edition hal leonard online. Ella fitzgerald sings the duke ellington song book is a 1957 studio album by the american jazz singer ella fitzgerald, accompanied by duke ellington and his orchestra, focusing on ellington s songs. Duke ellingtons most popular book is music is my mistress. Yet, aside from ellington s own rather unrevealing autobiography and a collection of reminiscences of his band members, no indepth biography of this preeminent figure of twentiethcentury music and entertainment has previously existed. A life of duke ellington and millions of other books are available for instant access.
Conductor and arranger for the jazz at lincoln center orchestra from its inception in 1988 through 1994, berger has transcribed more than 750 full scores of classic recordings including more than 500 works by duke ellington and. This bright and lively picture book brings light to his life as a musician. Caravan juan tizol and duke ellington song wikipedia. Although he came to hate the word jazz he considered it lowclass and. Mar 16, 2020 duke ellington edward kennedy ellington, april 29, 1899 may 24, 1974 was an american jazz composer, pianist and bandleader, one of the most influential figures in jazz, if not in all american music. Duke ellington s most popular book is music is my mistress. Apr 29, 2017 her jazz following was delighted and the vast audiences devoted to the cherished composers of popular song was reintroduced to that music in the exhilarating fitzgerald mode. James lincoln collier fills this gap with his definitive critical. A semifinalist for the national book award, duke peels away countless layers of ellingtons evasion and public deception to tell the unvarnished truth about this creative genius. In this book ken rattenbury offers the most thorough musical analysis ever written of ellingtons works, assessing the extent to which ellington drew on the black music traditions of blues and ragtime and.
The duke at tanglewood is a live album by american pianist, composer and bandleader duke ellington fronting the boston pops orchestra conducted by arthur fiedler which was recorded at tanglewood and released on rca victors classical red seal label. Irving mills wrote lyrics, but they are rarely sung. Duke ellington a giant collection of ellington s best, all presented in the famous real book notation. In this book ken rattenbury offers the most thorough musical analysis ever written of ellingtons works, assessing the extent to which ellington drew on the black music traditions. It is an essential companion for ellington enthusiasts, jazz fans, and serious students of american music. With this exhaustive, engaging study of the greatest jazz composer of his era, wall street journal drama critic teachout solidifies his place as one of americas great music biographers. One of the originators of bigband jazz, ellington led his band for more than half a century, composed thousands of scores, and created one of the most distinctive ensemble sounds in all of western music.
Dec 20, 20 biographer terry teachout discusses his book about duke ellington, the greatest jazz composer of the 20th century and an impenetrably enigmatic personality whom no one, not even his closest. Duke ellington is one of the biggest names in jazz. Duke ellington, jazz composer yale university press. American composer and icon is a beautifully produced book the best ive ever seen on the duke. See more ideas about duke ellington, jazz musicians and jazz blues.
Caravan creole love call day dream dont get around much anymore do nothin till you hear from me. Ellington used his band as a musical laboratory for his new compositions and shaped his writing specifically to showcase the talents of his bandmembers, many of whom remained with him. In this, he can inspire the youth for whom this little book was written. Duke ellington revised edition getting to know the worlds greatest composers only 7 left in stock more on the way. A life of duke ellington, by terry teachout the new york. Caravan is an american jazz standard that was composed by juan tizol and duke ellington and first performed by ellington in 1936. I am among a large and ever increasing number of people who see duke ellington as americas greatest composer.
Jan 14, 2020 an originator of bigband jazz, duke ellington was an american composer, pianist and bandleader who composed thousands of scores over his 50year career. Ella fitzgerald sings the duke ellington song book wikipedia. The book also paints a vivid portrait of the jazz age and the harlem renaissance. Caravan creole love call day dream dont get around much anymore do nothin till you hear from. This is an unusual survey of the firstand formativethird of duke ellington s career as a composer. Edward kennedy duke ellington and his music have been an integral part of the american scene for most of the 20th century. Books by duke ellington author of music is my mistress. A life of duke ellington by terry teachout goodreads. Many have cited jazz as americas only true indigenous art form, so it is at once surprising and disheartening that major publishers are seemingly hesitant to champion books that tackle the subject. Interesting in the investigation of ellington s personality and quite good describing the jazz work.
Ken rattenbury duke ellington, jazz composer 1st edition 1st printing hardcover yale university press 1990 near fine in a near fine dust jacket. Some of the jazz musicians who were members of ellingtons orchestra, such as saxophonist johnny. Free shipping and pickup in store on eligible orders. Duke ellington edward kennedy ellington, april 29, 1899 may 24, 1974 was an american jazz composer, pianist and bandleader, one of the most influential figures in jazz, if not in all american music. Duke ellington, jazz composer, book by ken rattenbury. List of books and articles about duke ellington online. He kept a big band together for half a century and wrote music that will never get old, such as mood indigo. Dave brubeck was an acclaimed experimental american jazz pianist and composer. Edward kennedy duke ellington was the greatest jazz composer of the 20th century and an impenetrably enigmatic personality whom no one, not even his closest friends, claimed to understand. Then you can start reading kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or computer no kindle device required. In this book ken rattenbury offers the most thorough musical analysis ever written of ellingtons works, assessing the extent to. Terry teachouts biography of the enigmatic jazz titan duke ellington. I find music to be a fascinating and engaging subject, and i think it has a great effect on the minds of students.
Edward kennedy duke ellington was the greatest jazz composer of the twentieth century and an impenetrably enigmatic personality whom no one, not even his closest friends, claimed to understand. Music lovers everywhere have hailed duke ellington as one of the greatest geniuses of jazz. A life of duke ellington pdf book best seller directories. Despite this disappointment, a broadway production of ellingtons beggars holiday, his sole book musical, premiered on. Enter your mobile number or email address below and well send you a link to download the free kindle app. The premier site for the history and analysis of the standards jazz musicians play the most. His position in the history of jazz as the great band leader seems secure, but the accolade he seemed to want most a. Duke ellington, american pianist who was the greatest jazz composer and bandleader of his time. This short biography of duke ellington expands on his music career. As if ella and duke werent enough, ellington s arranger composer billy strayhorn, guest musicians dizzy gillespie and oscar peterson, and brilliant record producer norman granz all have a hand in the proceedings.
In this book ken rattenbury offers the most thorough musical analysis ever written of ellington. An originator of bigband jazz, duke ellington was an american composer, pianist and bandleader who composed thousands of scores over his 50year career. Duke ellington has 120 books on goodreads with 1662 ratings. Lives from the african american national biography edited by henry louis gates and evelyn brooks higginbotham oxford university press. The book is also a wellresearched history of duke ellington s music and his influences and his contribution to american jazz and international music. The exotic sound of caravan interested exotica musicians. Edward kennedy duke ellington april 29, 1899 may 24, 1974 was an american composer, pianist, and bandleader of a jazz orchestra, which he. The music of duke ellington pianist, composer, bandleaderis a uniquely american treasure. In this book ken rattenbury offers the most thorough musical analysis ever written of ellington s works, assessing the extent to which ellington drew on the black music traditions of blues and ragtime and the music of tin pan alley, and examining how he integrated.
A prolific writer and consummate performer, ellington was the author of such standards as solitude, prelude to a kiss, and it dont mean a thing if it aint got that swing. One of the originators of bigband jazz, ellington led his band for more than half a century, composed thousands of scores, and created one of the most distinctive ensemble sounds in. In this book ken rattenbury offers the most thorough musical analysis ever written of ellington s works, assessing the extent to which ellington drew on the black. Ted describes it as a genial account that demonstrates his passion for gershwin on. A major new biography of duke ellington from the acclaimed author of pops.
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