Pioneer, innovator, and jazzâs greatest bandleader
Edward Kennedy âDukeâ Ellington put an indelible imprint on jazz and American music through boundary-transcending compositions and more than five decades of performances with his eponymous orchestra.
The Duke Ellington Orchestra continues to inspire and delight aficionados around the world over a hundred years after Duke founded it in 1923âand his legacy is alive and well in the hands of his grandson, Paul Mercer Ellington.
Music is my mistress.”
Duke Ellington
Discover Dukeâs life, work, and legacyâand todayâs Duke Ellington Orchestra
The Man
Edward Kennedy âDukeâ Ellington (1899-1974): pianist, composer, arranger, bandleaderâand a peerless force for change.
The Music
The remarkable, distinctive works and collaborations of jazz’s most prolific and influential composer and arranger.
The Orchestra
An iconic bandleader and his unparalleled group of musical artists who changed the face of American music.
Discover Duke
Explore the legacyâthrough words and mediaâof an iconic voice for artistic expression and freedom who challenged inequity with excellence and elegance.
Todayâs Orchestra
After more than 100 years, Dukeâs Orchestra has never stopped swinging. Experience their artistry live.
