Duke ellington jazz composer book

Duke ellington, american pianist who was the greatest jazz composer and bandleader of his time. Provides an introduction to the life and biography of african american musician duke ellington, who influenced jazz and popular music. See more ideas about duke ellington, jazz musicians and jazz blues. Irving mills wrote lyrics, but they are rarely sung. Duke ellington all the best full album greatest jazz. This is an unusual survey of the firstand formativethird of duke ellington s career as a composer. I also think a good case can be made that, all in all, ellington.

Dave brubeck was an acclaimed experimental american jazz pianist and composer. 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 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. 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. 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. 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.

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. This short biography of duke ellington expands on his music career. Mar 22, 2016 duke ellington was the undisputed father of the american songbook. 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.

A life of duke ellington by terry teachout goodreads. 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. The piano was at the heart and soul of duke ellingtons approach to making music. Caravan creole love call day dream dont get around much anymore do nothin till you hear from me.

A major new biography of duke ellington from the acclaimed author of pops. The exotic sound of caravan interested exotica musicians. Sings the duke ellington song book verve ella fitzgerald. 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. 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. Although he came to hate the word jazz he considered it lowclass 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. You dont have to look very closely at the photo of duke ellington on the. A life of duke ellington pdf book best seller directories. 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. He kept a big band together for half a century and wrote music that will never get old, such as mood indigo. 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. An originator of bigband jazz, duke ellington was an american composer, pianist and bandleader who composed thousands of scores over his 50year career. The duke ellington real book c edition hal leonard online.

Duke ellington edward kennedy ellington, 18991974, american jazz musician and composer, b. April 29, 1899 birthday of edward kennedy duke ellington. Duke ellington composed over 3000 songs, including. In fact, these recordings are packed with some of the key figures in 20th century jazz. This is an unusual survey of the firstand formativethird of duke ellingtons career as a composer. Duke ellington has 120 books on goodreads with 1662 ratings. 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. Edward kennedy duke ellington and his music have been an integral part of the american scene for most of the 20th century. Free shipping and pickup in store on eligible orders. Caravan is an american jazz standard that was composed by juan tizol and duke ellington and first performed by ellington in 1936. His position in the history of jazz as the great band leader seems secure, but the accolade he seemed to want most a. American composer and icon is a beautifully produced book the best ive ever seen on the duke. 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.

Duke ellington, jazz composer, book by ken rattenbury. 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. Edward kennedy duke ellington april 29, 1899 may 24, 1974 was an american composer. I was reading a book last week in which the author quoted duke ellington. 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 ellington revised edition getting to know the worlds greatest composers only 7 left in stock more on the way.

New jazz uke books on duke ellington and charlie parker. David berger is recognized internationally as a leading authority on the music of duke ellington and the swing era. Duke on uke opens with the most famous jazz jam session tune of all time, ellington s 1942 twonote masterpiece c jam blues. At even this late date, edward kennedy duke ellington remains a controversial figure. Caravan creole love call day dream dont get around much anymore do nothin till you hear from. Terry teachouts biography of the enigmatic jazz titan duke ellington. Jazz composer duke ellington sits with billie holiday.

Quincy jones is a musician, composer, and record producer, with a record seventynine grammy award nominations. 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. Duke ellingtons most popular book is music is my mistress. 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. Some of the jazz musicians who were members of ellingtons orchestra, such as saxophonist johnny. Music lovers everywhere have hailed duke ellington as one of the greatest geniuses of jazz. 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. The music of duke ellington pianist, composer, bandleaderis a uniquely american treasure.

Enter your mobile number or email address below and well send you a link to download the free kindle app. It is a solid, reliable biography based upon recent archival research as well as interviews conducted by the author and other ellington scholars. Apr 25, 2020 duke ellington, american pianist who was the greatest jazz composer and bandleader of his time. Then you can start reading kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or computer no kindle device required. Duke ellington a giant collection of ellington s best, all presented in the famous real book notation. Judy monroe peterson biography of african american musician duke ellington, who influenced jazz and popular music in general. Martin denny, arthur lyman, and gordon jenkins all covered it. Ken rattenbury duke ellington, jazz composer 1st edition 1st printing hardcover yale university press 1990 near fine in a near fine dust jacket. 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. 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. 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. 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. Over a 50year career, ellington became one of the biggest names in jazz as we know it.

Interesting in the investigation of ellington s personality and quite good describing the jazz work. Buy the paperback book duke ellington, jazz composer by ken rattenbury at indigo. 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. Some latterday writings on ellington, such as john howlands ellington uptown. 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. Cornel west is a philosopher, activist, political commentator, and occasional musician. Lives from the african american national biography edited by henry louis gates and evelyn brooks higginbotham oxford university press. 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. The book is also a wellresearched history of duke ellington s music and his influences and his contribution to american jazz and international music.

Edward kennedy duke ellington april 29, 1899 may 24, 1974 was an american composer, pianist, and bandleader of a jazz orchestra, which he. Duke ellington s most popular book is music is my mistress. American composer, pianist, and orchestra leader duke ellington was the first genuine jazz composer of truly international status. His compositions include take the a train, chelsea bridge, a flower is a lovesome. 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. Edward kennedy duke ellington was the greatest jazz composer of the twentieth centuryand. See more ideas about duke ellington, jazz and jazz composers. James lincoln collier fills this gap with his definitive critical. Duke ellington, jazz composer yale university press.

Duke ellington is one of the biggest names in jazz. 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. While edward kennedy ellington was given the nickname of duke early. I am among a large and ever increasing number of people who see duke ellington as americas greatest composer. Caravan juan tizol and duke ellington song wikipedia. In this book ken rattenbury offers the most thorough musical analysis ever written of ellingtons works, assessing the extent to. Ken rattenbury duke ellington, jazz composer 1st edition. The success of the endeavor led to seven more song book albums, one of which would be dedicated to bandleader and composer duke ellington. The book also paints a vivid portrait of the jazz age and the harlem renaissance. Great for recitals, concerts, receptions, parties, and encores. The jazz musician and composer known as duke ellington was born into washington, d. A life of duke ellington, by terry teachout the new york. 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.

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up. The premier site for the history and analysis of the standards jazz musicians play the most. Woody allen used the song in two of his films, alice and sweet and lowdown. Ellington is the musics greatest composer, and perhapsas this book suggeststhe greatest american composer of any category, period. In this, he can inspire the youth for whom this little book was written. I find music to be a fascinating and engaging subject, and i think it has a great effect on the minds of students. 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. Ted describes it as a genial account that demonstrates his passion for gershwin on.

He also thrived as a musician against the odds of racism. In this book ken rattenbury offers the most thorough musical analysis ever written of ellington. 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. 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. 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.

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. Despite this disappointment, a broadway production of ellingtons beggars holiday, his sole book musical, premiered on. Rather than being a dry biography, its both a pageturner and visual celebration of a fabulous life and career. I love david bergers new book, creative jazz composing. As james collier, author of the biography duke ellington oxford university press, usa, 1987 observed in his essay in harlem renaissance. Creative jazz composing and arranging david berger isbn. With a career that spanned five decades, he is one of the defining composers of the jazz age. This bright and lively picture book brings light to his life as a musician.

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. 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. It is an essential companion for ellington enthusiasts, jazz fans, and serious students of american music. Ellington made his first professional appearance as a jazz pianist in 1916. Duke ellingtons nutcracker suite once upon a masterpiece only 17 left in stock more on the way. 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. Hemmings explains his approach to arranging a song like c jam blues with so very little musical information to work with. Websites louis armstrong house museum louis armstrong duke ellington jazz youtube playlist this has many. List of books and articles about duke ellington online. In his preface, rattenbury clearly states that his book focuses on ellingtons work from the years 1939. A life of duke ellington and millions of other books are available for instant access. Oct 08, 2008 this is a segment from the film reveille with beverly from 1943. Ella fitzgerald sings the duke ellington song book wikipedia. With c jam blues, the melody is so simple theres not that much you can do in terms of chord melody.