By Nicholas Noguera Jan 18, 2017
The Jazz Age is a time when entertainment was rising high in popularity. This age was created by African-Americans in New Orleans because they wanted jazz to be linked to their form of independent traditional and popular musical styles and so that they can share their traditions to people but in a stylish way. One of the most known famous jazz musicians is Duke Ellington, one his quotes is “Jazz is a good barometer of freedom… In its beginnings, the United States of America spawned certain ideals of freedom and independence through which, eventually, jazz was evolved, and the music is so free that many people say it is the only unhampered, unhindered expression of complete freedom yet produced in this country.” Duke Ellington’s fame in the Jazz Age was due to his style of music and popularity of his songs.
Duke Ellington was born in Washington, D.C. April 29th, 1899. He was a famous jazz musician with many great hits like “Take the “A” Train” and “It Don’t Mean A Thing”. His performances were mostly taken in the Cotton Club in New York. It all happened in 1927-1932. His style of music was more of a “Swing Music” type of jazz, which is a “Big Band” that has a lively rhythm suitable for dancing. It happened because he was so good at making music so then when he performed his songs everyone enjoyed it. Duke led a group of musicians and they got recruited to join the Cotton Club to perform.
So Duke Ellington’s fame in the Jazz Age was due to his music and his songs. After he died his jazz music still plays through out today, and jazz musicians play his style of music in jazz clubs. Duke Ellington was important in the 1920’s because he changed history with his music and thanks to him Jazz is still alive today.
Works Cited
"Duke Ellington." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 03 Feb. 2017.
"Jazz." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 03 Feb. 2017.