Duke Ellington Orchestra | Students FREE

Edward Kennedy “Duke” Ellington is regarded as one of the most prolific American composers of the 20th century. His career spanned more than 50 years and included leading his orchestra, composing an inexhaustible songbook, scoring for movies, composing stage musicals, and world tours. Duke Ellington called his music "American Music" rather than jazz, and liked to describe those who impressed him as "beyond category.” He remains one of the most influential figures in jazz, if not in all American music, and is widely considered as one of the 20th century's best known African American personalities.

The Duke Ellington Orchestra has been performing worldwide for the past 88 years under the guidance of three generations of the Ellington family and will continue to do so for many years to come. Duke's grandson Paul Mercer Ellington has been leading the orchestra and fearlessly preserving the music and legacy of the great Duke Ellington. For the past three years while Paul has been at New York University studying for a master's degree in film production, Charlie Young, the very talented alto sax player and arranger and professor at Howard University has been acting as the conductor touring the world leading the Famous Duke Ellington Orchestra.