Edward Kennedy Ellington's father was butler at the White House. An elegant demeanour, urbane wit and stylish dress sense earned him his nickname in his late teens. He was "Duke" for the rest of his life. And Duke Ellington, pianist, band leader, arranger and acknowledged master musician, became one of the finest composers of his century and a giant of his genre. In the course of a long successful career, Duke, having become a jazz legend in his own lifetime, played with almost every notable contemporary musician. Yet he was the first to become tired of the word 'jazz', saying simply "There are only two kinds of music: good and bad". This exceptional video features some of the Duke's finest compositions with exquisite, original renderings: Le Sucrier Velours, Lotus Blossom, The Second Portrait of the Lion, Meditation, On the Fringe of the Jungle, Mood Indigo and Take the a Train.
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