The Duke of Jazz

 

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.

(Wikipedia)

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."