Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington (April 29, 1899-May 14, 1974) was an American composer, pianist and leader of one of the greatest musical groups that flourished during and after the swing era.

Born in New York City and active there from the mid-1920s onward, Ellington gained a national reputation through his appearances at the Cotton Club in Harlem.
In the 1930s the orchestra toured in Europe.

After 1941, Ellington collaborated with cmposer-arranger-pianist Billy Strayhorn, whom he called his "writing and arranging companion".

With Strayhorn, he composed many extended compositions, or "suites" as well as additional short works.

Ellington featured his orchestral members as unique in the Jazz world and composed so as to take advantage of ther virtuoso talents. Ellington is generally considered as having elevated the perception of jazz forms to a level on par with serious traditional music; he cosidered his music to be an American art form and received a Pulitzer prize for music in 1999.

Audio: Selection of tunes from Ellington classics

Don't Mean a Thing--
In a Sentimental Mood
Mood Indigo--
Satin Doll