Composer ("It Don't Mean a Thing if It Ain't Got That Swing", "Sophisticated Lady", "Mood Indigo", "Solitude", "In a Mellotone", "Satin Doll"), pianist and conductor, holder of an honorary music degree from Wilberforce University and an LHD from Milton College, Duke Ellington led his own orchestra by 1918...See full bio »
2005The Lost City
(writer: "Limbo Jazz" / performer: "Limbo Jazz")
2004Melinda and Melinda
(music: "In a Mellow Tone" 1939, "Don't Get Around Much Anymore" 1942, "I Let a Song Go Out of My Heart" 1938 / performer: "In a Mellow Tone" 1939, "I Let a Song Go Out of My Heart" 1938)
1989Harlem Nights
(writer: "Black Beauty", "Mood Indigo" / music: "Drop Me Off In Harlem", "The Gal From Joe's", "It Don't Mean A Thing If It Ain't Got That Swing", "Sophisticated Lady" / performer: "Drop Me Off In Harlem", "Take The 'A' Train")
1989The Fabulous Baker Boys
(writer: "Prelude to a Kiss", "Do Nothin' Till You Hear From Me", "Solitude" / as Edward Kennedy Ellington)
1984The Cotton Club
(music: "The Mooche", "Cotton Club Stomp #2", "Drop Me Off In Harlem", "Creole Love Call", "Ring Dem Bells", "East St.Louis Toodle-O", "Cotton Club Stomp #1", "Mood Indigo", "Daybreak Express Medley" / lyrics: "Creole Love Call", "Mood Indigo")
1984Maria's Lovers
(writer: "Don't Get Around Much Anymore")
1980Rough Cut
(writer: "Sophisticated Lady" - uncredited, "Satin Doll" - uncredited, "C Jam Blues" - uncredited, "Mood Indigo" - uncredited, "I Got It Bad and That Ain't Good" - uncredited, "In a Sentimental Mood" - uncredited, "Prelude to a Kiss" - uncredited, "Caravan" - uncredited, "Don't Get Around Much Anymore" - uncredited)
1973Teresa la ladra
(music: "Don't Get Around Much Anymore" Never No Lament)
1973England Made Me
(music: "IT DON'T MEAN A THING IF IT AIN'T GOT THAT SWING')
1973Duke Ellington... We Love You Madly
(TV special)
(writer: "I Ain't Got Nothin' But The Blues", "Rocks in My Bed", "I Got It Bad And That Ain't Good", "Mood Indigo")
1934/IIVaudeville
(short)
(music: "It Don't Mean a Thing If It Ain't Got That Swing" - uncredited)
1934Masks and Memories
(short)
(music: "Sophisticated Lady" - uncredited)
1933Advice to the Lovelorn
(music: "It Don't Mean a Thing If You Ain't Got That Swing" Uncredited)
1933Betty Boop's May Party
(short)
(music: "It Don't Mean a Thing If It Ain't Got That Swing" - uncredited)
1933A Bundle of Blues
(short)
(writer: "Lightnin'", "Rockin' In Rhythm", "A Bundle of Blues")
1930Check and Double Check
(writer: "Harlem Speaks" 1930 - uncredited, "Old Man Blues" 1930 - uncredited)
1929Black and Tan
(short)
(writer: "Black and Tan Fantasy", "Black Beauty", "The Duke Steps Out" / music: "Cotton Club Stomp" / performer: "Black and Tan Fantasy")
1929Rhythms
(short)
(music: "The Mooche" - uncredited)
To me, bebop is like playing Scrabble with all the vowels missing.
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Trivia:
His image is part the central design on the reverse of the District of Columbia 25¢ commemorative coin issued in 2009, as part of the USA's Statehood Quarters series. He is shown seated next to a piano, and the name "DUKE ELLINGTON" is engraved in the area above the piano keys.
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