Duke Ellington

American jazz pianist, composer and leader of his eponymous orchestra (born April 29, 1899, Washington, D.C.; died May 24, 1974 in New York City, N.Y.).
Known for his residency at the Cotton Club (1927-1931) and for composing over a thousand pieces (often in collaboration), many of them now standards. Billy Strayhorn shared composing duties (1939-1967).
Father of Mercer Ellington, who took over the leadership of the orchestra after Duke died remaining until his own death in 1996. Grandfather of .