Wynton marsalis artistic director, jazz at lincoln center ellington 101 a beginners guide table of contents a brief biography of duke ellington 4 meet the ellingtonians 9 additional resources 15. Duke ellington composed over 3000 songs, including. Andrea davis pinkneys text grabs young listeners with its jazzy beat. Matthew cooper eastern oregon university, cms book author.
To hear ellington at the bench in place of mccoy tyner, coltranes groundbreaking pianist of this period, makes the album all the more striking. Ellington made his first professional appearance as a jazz pianist in 1916. Now these titles are available for the first time in the u. All content included on our site, such as text, images, digital downloads and other, is the property of its content suppliers and protected by us and international laws. 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. To refute the contention of some critics that ellington was not particularly good as a pianist, end page 723 cooper provides transcriptions of the 1932 recording. Eddie lambert, in his book a listeners guide, provides a very articulate description of his qualities, in reference to the sessions with hodges and edison released as back to back and part of side by side. Her playful use of language echoes the era in which duke was king. While working as a sign painter he began to play professionally and in 1918 started his own band in his native washington, d.
Fortunately he did record a fair amount of trio albums through the years so there is plenty of evidence as to his unique style which was both modern and traditional at the. Duke ellington has 120 books on goodreads with 1662 ratings. 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. All of the albums original nine cuts, as well as its five bonus tracks.
Stories of black women freedom fighters, a coretta scott king honor winner. Duke ellington biography life, death, history, mother, son. A fresh look at duke ellington as pianist a study of styles. Green book pianist don shirley premired ellington tribute in. It is a chargedup introduction to duke ellington, his band, and his music. The story of one of americas greatest composers, duke ellington, is lavishly told here in jazzinspired prose. Jan 18, 2019 green book pianist don shirley premired ellington tribute in hamilton. The beginners guide to duke ellington keyboard improv. Recorded in 1960, piano in the backgrounds title is a bit of a misnomer. The story centers around young duke, born edward, and his journey from despising piano, to falling in love with ragtime, and everything in between. This file gives you cards to hand out to your students while you read the book to them.
The pianist by duke ellington, edward kennedy ellington. Duke ellington biography childhood, life achievements. Duke ellington s most popular book is music is my mistress. The pianist is a studio album by american pianist, composer and bandleader duke ellington compiled from sessions in 1966 and 1970, and released on the fantasy label in 1974. This volume by matthew cooper represents the first book length study devoted exclusively to duke ellington as pianist. The surprising similarity between duke ellington, keith jarrett, and elton john. The piano prince and his orchestra, 1999 caldecott honor book. An originator of bigband jazz, duke ellington was an american composer, pianist and bandleader who composed thousands of scores over his 50year career. Andrea davis pinkneys text is well complemented by the rich, colorful illustrations by her husband and collaborator, brian pinkney. This biography profiles his childhood, life, music career, achievements and timeline. The piano prince and his orchestra by andea davis pinkney and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Duke ellington was an american jazz composer and performer who is among one of the greatest names in the history of jazz.
Andrea davis pinkney has written several acclaimed picture books, works of non fiction, and novels. In addition to his supreme musical gifts as a bandleader, composer and. Edward kennedy duke ellington, king of the keys, was. 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. Duke ellingtons musical career lasted about for fifty five years,and this man, who was the greatest composer and band leader of all times,and also one of the most. Duke ellington had so many talents composer, arranger, bandleader, personality that his skills as a pianist could easily be overlooked. Im nobodys baby ill see you in my dreams i cried for you at sundown you are my lucky star. While its true that duke ellington often didnt appear on his recordings at all and this one is designed to showcase a series of new arrangements for the ellington orchestra, it also offers the composer and bandleader as a pianist leading the band. Duke ellington edward kennedy ellington, 18991974, american jazz musician and composer, b. Jul 14, 2016 edward kennedy duke ellington april 29, 1899 may 24, 1974 was an american composer, pianist and bandleader of jazz orchestras. Duke s perfromance here on back to back is one ot the most inventive displays by a jazz soloist in the entire history of jazz. J brian pinkney a brief recounting of the career of this jazz musician and composer who, along with his orchestra, created music that was beyond category. Dating approximately from the time duke ellington permanently moved to new york city in 1923 to the time the material was transferred to the smithsonian institution in 1988, the bulk of the material in the duke ellington collection is dated from 19341974 and comprises sound recordings, original music manuscripts and published sheet music, handwritten notes.
The composer and bandleader duke ellington 18991947 was a largely selftaught pianist who was influenced by jazz and ragtime performers. The music of duke ellington pianist, composer, bandleaderis a uniquely american treasure. This book may prove to be essential study for jazz pianists and jazz theory teachers, not just ellington fans. The book begins with ellington s childhood, and describes his early interest in music and the beginning of his career. Duke ellingtons most popular book is music is my mistress.
Jun 04, 2015 for instance, he selected the obscure 1929 recording lazy duke to extract the pianists work in accompanying a clarinet solo. Piano in the background bonus tracks by duke ellington. Although andrea davis pinkney more than once pushes the lingo too far, leaving readers sprawling in the wake of her patter, mostly it is a fun and earopening ride, an exciting if taxing introduction to the jargon. He kept a big band together for half a century and wrote music that will never get old, such as mood indigo. Listen to your favorite songs from the pianist by duke ellington now. See more ideas about duke ellington, jazz and duke. This book calls up the spirit of duke ellington and his band through its whirling, swirling art and its vivid language. Duke ellington is a nonfiction biography that follows the life of one of americas greatest jazzinspired composers and pianist. The piano prince and his orchestra by andrea davis pinkney in chm, doc, fb3 download e book. 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. Jazz fan and freelance writer bradbury profiles one of the greatest composers of the 20th century, chronicling bandleader ellington s rise to fame as a pianist, song writer, and arranger. Her titles for middlegrade readers include solo girl, raven in a dove house, silent thunder, and let it shine. Piano, composed by duke ellington remix orrin keepnews, skip shimmin notes. The piano prince and his orchestra by andrea davis pinkney.
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. Like many of duke ellington s songs, in a sentimental mood started off as an instrumental composition and received lyrics later on. In addition to his supreme musical gifts as a bandleader, composer and arranger, showman and entertainer. 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.
Another stunning picture book biography of a prominent twentiethcentury africanamerican in the arts, from the creative team behind alvin ailey. The piano prince and his orchestra is a childrens picture book written by andrea davis pinkney and illustrated by brian pinkney. Duke ellington is universally recognized as one of the towering figures of 20thcentury music, both a brilliant composer and one of the preeminent musicians in jazz history. He also thrived as a musician against the odds of racism. Edward kennedy duke ellington, king of the keys, was born on april 29, 1899, in washington, d. Why jazz happened by marc myers article pdf available in notes 714. The young duke, born edward kennedy ellington in washington d. List of books and articles about duke ellington online. The pianist by duke ellington vinyl, sep2015, fantasy.
Books by duke ellington author of music is my mistress. He codified the sound of america in the 20th century. New orleans lowdown sweet mamma memphis wail dicty glide immigration blues black beauty. While working as a sign painter he began to play professionally and in 1918 started his. 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. On april 29, 1899, edward kennedy ellington was born in washington, d.
Cottontail from the jazz pianists ultimate guide to the real book learn the 5 essential left hand techniques with my free ebook. In this, he can inspire the youth for whom this little book was written. This picture book biography focuses not so much on the events in duke ellington s life, but on his music, his orchestra, his skill with improvisation, and his impact in the world of jazz. In a sentimental mood from the jazz pianists ultimate. A major figure in the history of jazz music, his career spanned more than half a century, during which time he composed thousands of. Duke ellington, american pianist who was the greatest jazz composer and bandleader of his time. The piano was at the heart and soul of duke ellingtons approach to making music.
The piano was at the heart and soul of duke ellington s approach to making music. Students are listening for vocabulary words, songs to listen to, and instruments to identify. Edward kennedy duke ellington was an american jazz pianist, composer, and bandleader. Duke ellington tribute with john edward hasse in this special tribute, we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the birth of great bandleader, composer and pianist, edward kennedy duke ellington. The pianist by duke ellington on amazon music unlimited. As such, it should be regarded as a substantial contribution to the ellington. Jan 09, 2012 duke ellington was born april 29, 1899, in washington, d. Duke ellington by andrea and brian pinkney is a book celebrating the life of duke ellington, who is one of the most inspirational jazz musicians of his time.
He led his orchestra from 1923 until his death, his career spanning over 50 years. Michael j budds this volume by matthew cooper represents the first book length study devoted exclusively to duke ellington as pianist. Download the reading guide pdf reprinted by arrangement with the illustrator, brian pinkney and writers house llc, acting as agent for the illustrator. You dont have to look very closely at the photo of duke ellington on the cover of the new terry teachout biography to see the prominent scar. The story starts out when young duke ellington is learning to play the piano and hears ragtime music being played.
Duke ellington is considered by many to be one of americas most brilliant jazz composers writers of music of the twentieth century. Cohens study duke ellington s america, which accords its subject a status akin to that of walt whitman or cue up pianist marcus roberts. As such, it should be regarded as a substantial contribution to the ellington scholarship for the very reason that the piano was central to the duke s achievements as a musician. On the tonesetting in a sentimental mood, an ellington signature ballad, coltranes entrance is as though out of a mist, or another world, or maybe just the apartment next door, as. Stream adfree with amazon music unlimited on mobile, desktop, and tablet. He wrote thousands of works, composing popular songs. Fortunately he did record a fair amount of trio albums through the years so there is plenty of evidence as to his unique style which was both modern and traditional at the same time. Seventy lost gems from the pen of duke ellington arranged as advanced piano solos that capture the music exactly as it was written. She is also the author of the picture books alvin ailey. This is a most fitting tribute to a great man who proudly celebrated the history of. Now, in the duke ellington reader, mark tucker offers the first historical anthology of writings about this major africanamerican musician. Louis toodleo, black and tan fantasy, it dont mean a thing, and mood indigo, to his more complex works such as reminiscing in tempo and black, brown and beige, to his.
Ellington s classics include dont get around much anymore, mood indigo, and i let a song get out of my head. Duke ellington is a biography of the legendary composer. The piano prince and his orchestra, 1999 caldecott honor book duke ellington. Piano in the background is an album by american pianist, composer and bandleader duke ellington recorded and released on the columbia label in 1960. The pianist is a studio album by american pianist, composer and bandleader duke ellington. The piano prince and his orchestra caldecott honor book by pinkney, andrea and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at.