Edward Kennedy Ellington was one of the most famous jazz composers and performers of the twentieth century. It is a well-known fact that Duke Ellington went down in history of jazz music as one of the most significant composers, as well as outstanding bandleader, who led his own musical group of about fifty years. Thus, the main aims of this project are to think about Duke Ellington, and discuss how he fits into the history of jazz, dwelling on his style and other details with more attention.
Beginning this discussion with Ellington’s biography, it is important to mention that he was born on April 29, 1899, in Washington. Edward Ellington was born in ordinary family with average income, and the future musician got his first education at home; …show more content…
The work to study is Duke Ellington’s “Indigos” (1957). This album is notable for its specific nature, because it is not similar to others. It is a true that the album has no new original songs, but we cannot call it ‘unimaginative’ in Ellington’s discography. Soft sound format provides an excellent opportunity for a great solo, and familiar songs sound completely different. Album is full of slow lyrical songs, and the great attention is paid to the record of the piano solo by Duke Ellington. It also seems that the disk “Indigos” has another definite plus: the album is perfect for first acquaintance with the music of ‘jazz’ which can be beautiful, crystal, with a light, slightly sad smile. The album can be also considered a set of smart, time-tested melodies in popular exposition. If the composition “Autumn Leaves” with soulful vocals of Ozzie Bailey, or stirring violin of Ray Nance does not take the soul of the listener, perhaps, the listener became too cynical. Tempo never exceeds moderate, and, comparing this album to the dance, it is surely a slow dance, which allows people to feel the deep emotions of own heart and reflect them in …show more content…
He gave American music its own sound for the first time. In his fifty year career, he played over 20,000 performances in Europe, Latin America, the Middle East as well as Asia” (http://www.dukeellington.com/ellingtonbio.html). Finally, the stars of world pop music considered as an honor to play in the orchestra of Duke Ellington, because his music seems to be elegant and real. The personality of Duke Ellington can be compared with the classical composers such as Strauss, Wagner or Bartók in his musical direction. It is hard to argue the fact that Ellington’s compositions sometimes are too complicated for the unprepared listener, but when the person is able to master all the alterations, harmonies, risqué melodic passages, harmonic and rhythmic counterpoints, then he begins to understand why Ellington has entered the annals of world music as a classic of American intellectual jazz.
Thus, we have observed Duke Ellington’s outstanding contribution to the history of jazz music, explaining not only the way he did it, but also analyzing one of his albums for this purpose. As a result, taking everything into consideration, it is possible to conclude that Duke Ellington was a prominent person, who not only composed music, but also made it alive for
Beginning this discussion with Ellington’s biography, it is important to mention that he was born on April 29, 1899, in Washington. Edward Ellington was born in ordinary family with average income, and the future musician got his first education at home; …show more content…
The work to study is Duke Ellington’s “Indigos” (1957). This album is notable for its specific nature, because it is not similar to others. It is a true that the album has no new original songs, but we cannot call it ‘unimaginative’ in Ellington’s discography. Soft sound format provides an excellent opportunity for a great solo, and familiar songs sound completely different. Album is full of slow lyrical songs, and the great attention is paid to the record of the piano solo by Duke Ellington. It also seems that the disk “Indigos” has another definite plus: the album is perfect for first acquaintance with the music of ‘jazz’ which can be beautiful, crystal, with a light, slightly sad smile. The album can be also considered a set of smart, time-tested melodies in popular exposition. If the composition “Autumn Leaves” with soulful vocals of Ozzie Bailey, or stirring violin of Ray Nance does not take the soul of the listener, perhaps, the listener became too cynical. Tempo never exceeds moderate, and, comparing this album to the dance, it is surely a slow dance, which allows people to feel the deep emotions of own heart and reflect them in …show more content…
He gave American music its own sound for the first time. In his fifty year career, he played over 20,000 performances in Europe, Latin America, the Middle East as well as Asia” (http://www.dukeellington.com/ellingtonbio.html). Finally, the stars of world pop music considered as an honor to play in the orchestra of Duke Ellington, because his music seems to be elegant and real. The personality of Duke Ellington can be compared with the classical composers such as Strauss, Wagner or Bartók in his musical direction. It is hard to argue the fact that Ellington’s compositions sometimes are too complicated for the unprepared listener, but when the person is able to master all the alterations, harmonies, risqué melodic passages, harmonic and rhythmic counterpoints, then he begins to understand why Ellington has entered the annals of world music as a classic of American intellectual jazz.
Thus, we have observed Duke Ellington’s outstanding contribution to the history of jazz music, explaining not only the way he did it, but also analyzing one of his albums for this purpose. As a result, taking everything into consideration, it is possible to conclude that Duke Ellington was a prominent person, who not only composed music, but also made it alive for