The Duke Ellington Orchestra, an embodiment of jazz royalty, was helmed by the icon of American music, Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington. Born in 1899, Ellington's musical journey began in the late 1910s, but it was in the 1920s that his sound truly began to flourish within the fervor of the Harlem Renaissance. By the 1930s and 1940s, Duke Ellington and his orchestra had become a force to reckon with, revolutionizing jazz with sophisticated compositions, an inventive use of the orchestra ensemble, and a fearless approach to harmony and rhythms.

Throughout his career, Ellington penned over a thousand compositions, leaving an indelible mark on the world of music. His orchestra served as the platform for some of the era's most talented jazz musicians—individuals such as Johnny Hodges, Cootie Williams, and Billy Strayhorn (Ellington’s close collaborator who wrote the iconic "Take the 'A' Train"). They toured extensively, dazzling audiences worldwide and recorded prolifically, with remarkable performances like those showcased in the live releases from Carnegie Hall in 1944 and the significant body of work known as "The Treasury Shows." Duke Ellington's legacy, perpetuated by his orchestra through live performances and recorded sessions, remains a cornerstone of jazz music and an emblem of its enduring artistry. Even after Ellington's passing in 1974, the Duke Ellington Orchestra continues to celebrate and perpetuate his rich musical legacy.

Genres

Big Band

Swing

Latest Release

Take the "A" Train

Duke Ellington Orchestra

Album - 24 Tracks - Released April 22, 2022