April 29, 1899 - May 24, 1974
Jazz pianist, composer, and leader of his Duke Ellington jazz orchestra - big band
Honors -
Hollywood Walk of Fame, 1960
Honorary Doctorate of Humanities from Milton College, 1964
Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, 1966
Presidential Medal of Freedom, 1969
Honorary PhD. from Berklee College of Music, 1971
Legion of Honor by France (highest civilian honor), 1973
Posthumous Pulitzer Prize for lifetime contributions to music and culture, 1999
11 Grammy Award Nominations
14 Grammy Award Wins
Grammy Award for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album (1988)
9 recordings inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame
Impressive list of honors and inductions - refer to the source link below to read more.
Big band jazz would not be to a fun swing and oh did Duke Ellington know how to get everyone on their feet.
Along with Ella Fitzgerald...
"It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)"
(Inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2008)
Happy Birthday, Duke Ellington. My privilege to be a "birthday twin."
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