The wise musicians are those who play what they can master

Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington born April 29, 1899 in Washington, D.C., was the most prolific composer of the twentieth century in terms of both number of compositions and variety of forms.









His gift of melody and his mastery of sonic textures, rhythms, and compositional forms translated his often subtle, often complex perceptions into a body of music unequaled in jazz history.