2018-01-21
1480
Born in Washington, D.C., Duke Ellington was based in New York City from the mid-1920s onward, and gained a national profile through his orchestra's appearances at the Cotton Club in Harlem. In the 1930s, his orchestra toured in Europe. Some of the musicians who were members of Ellington’s orchestra, such as saxophonist Johnny Hodges, are considered to be among the best players in jazz. Some members stayed with the orchestra for several decades. A master at writing miniatures for the three-minute recording format, Ellington often composed specifically to feature the style and skills of his individual musicians. Often collaborating with others, Ellington wrote more than one thousand compositions. Many of his works became standards. Ellington also recorded songs written by his bandsmen, for example Juan Tizol’s «Caravan». After 1941, Ellington collaborated with composer-arranger-pianist Billy Strayhorn. They composed many extended compositions, or suites, as well as additional short pieces. Ellington recorded for most American record companies of his era, performed in several films, and composed stage musicals.
1. Where did Duke Ellington and his band gain the first acknowledgement?
2. How long did some musicians play with the band?
3. How did Duke Ellington treat his companions’ styles and skills?
4. What was the total number of his works?
5. Who was his well ‒ known collaborates?
