Thanks for the a2a. Theres a multitude of reasons. Briefly, the sound of his big band, as well as his piano playing, were completely unique. He didn't invent the big band, but he arranged and composed for it in a way that anyone could recognize it was Ellington. read more
Duke Ellington’s importance is not formational, but he took the emerging form and created a foundational music language that would give birth to the other Jazz forms to follow. He showed the language of Jazz could be intellectually complex and viscerally powerful. read more
Duke Ellington was the most important composer in the history of jazz as well as being a bandleader who held his large group together continuously for almost 50 years. The two aspects of his career were related; Ellington used his band as a musical laboratory for his new compositions and shaped his writing specifically to showcase the talents of his bandmembers, many of whom remained with him for long periods. read more
Duke Ellington was an American jazz bandleader, pianist and composer. He is considered by many to be America`s greatest composer. By the time of his death, Ellington had appeared for more than 20,000 performances worldwide. read more
Edward Kennedy “Duke” Ellington wrote over 3,000 compositions, many of which became classic standards in the American song book. Satin Doll, Sophisticated Lady, Mood Indigo, Take the A Train, and so many others that are well known. read more
Duke Ellington was the most important composer in the history of jazz as well as being a bandleader who held his large group together continuously for almost 50 years. read more