Duke Ellington

Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington was an American jazz pianist, composer, and big band leader who was instrumental in elevating jazz to the status of high art. Over a career spanning more than fifty years, Ellington wrote thousands of compositions, many of which have become standards in the jazz repertoire. He is celebrated for his innovative use of orchestration and his ability to blend complex harmonies with memorable melodies.

### Major Contributions and Key Works

1. **“Take the 'A' Train”**:

   - Composed by Billy Strayhorn, this song became the signature tune of Duke Ellington’s orchestra. It describes the quickest way to Sugar Hill in Harlem, symbolizing the vibrant culture of New York City's Harlem Renaissance.

   - **Notable Lyrics**: “You must take the A train / To go to Sugar Hill way up in Harlem.”

2. **“It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)”**:

   - This piece, written in 1931, is one of Ellington’s most famous compositions and a definitive example of the swing style that dominated jazz in the 1930s.

   - **Notable Lyrics**: “It don’t mean a thing, if it ain’t got that swing / Doo-wah, doo-wah, doo-wah, doo-wah, doo-wah, doo-wah, doo-wah.”

3. **“Mood Indigo”**:

   - Known for its rich, mellow harmonies, this tune is an example of Ellington’s skill in creating atmospheric compositions that evoke deep emotions.

   - **Musical Feature**: The piece uses an unconventional arrangement where the clarinet plays higher notes than the trombone, producing a unique, haunting sound.

4. **“Black, Brown, and Beige”**:

   - A three-movement jazz suite composed in 1943, it aims to parallel the history of African Americans. It was a bold and ambitious work that demonstrated Ellington’s commitment to using jazz as a medium for storytelling and cultural expression.

   - **Movements**: “Black,” “Brown,” and “Beige.”

5. **“Diminuendo and Crescendo in Blue”**:

   - This piece became famous for Paul Gonsalves's extended saxophone solo during the 1956 Newport Jazz Festival, a performance that revived Ellington’s career.

   - **Performance Highlight**: The solo featured 27 choruses and energized the audience, leading to a spontaneous dance and prolonged applause.

6. **“In a Sentimental Mood”**:

   - A beautiful ballad that showcases Ellington’s ability to craft tender, lyrical melodies.

   - **Notable Collaboration**: It was famously recorded with John Coltrane in 1962.

7. **“Caravan”**:

   - Co-composed with Juan Tizol, this piece has a distinctive Latin influence and is known for its driving rhythm and exotic harmonies.

   - **Notable Feature**: The song opens with a dramatic drum solo inspired by Spanish rhythms.

### Influence and Legacy

Ellington's work transcended the boundaries of jazz, earning him a place among the greatest composers of the 20th century. He collaborated with many leading musicians of his time, including Billy Strayhorn, who was a crucial partner in many of his compositions. Ellington's orchestra, which performed regularly at the Cotton Club in Harlem, was a proving ground for many jazz greats, including saxophonist Johnny Hodges and trombonist Lawrence Brown.

His music often celebrated African American culture and history, and he was a pivotal figure in bringing jazz into concert halls and more formal musical settings, thereby legitimizing it as a sophisticated art form.

### Common Clues in Quizbowl Questions

1. **Newport Jazz Festival**:

   - Ellington's career was famously revitalized by his performance at the 1956 Newport Jazz Festival, particularly through Paul Gonsalves's 27-chorus solo on "Diminuendo and Crescendo in Blue."

   - **Example Clue**: "Paul Gonsalves’s 27-chorus saxophone solo at the Newport Jazz Festival helped revive his career."

2. **Billy Strayhorn**:

   - A frequent collaborator with Ellington, Strayhorn composed many pieces for the Ellington Orchestra, including "Take the 'A' Train."

   - **Example Clue**: "This musician often collaborated with Billy Strayhorn on works like 'Take the 'A' Train.'"

3. **Cotton Club**:

   - Ellington’s orchestra was the house band at the Cotton Club in Harlem, which helped him gain widespread fame.

   - **Example Clue**: "His band gained fame through performances at the Cotton Club."

4. **Signature Pieces**:

   - "Mood Indigo," "It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)," and "Take the 'A' Train" are frequently referenced in questions about Ellington.

   - **Example Clue**: "He composed standards like 'Mood Indigo' and 'It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing).'"

### Related Quizbowl Facts

1. A famous performance at the 1956 Newport ___1___ Festival helped revive Duke Ellington's career.

2. Duke Ellington's collaboration with ___2___ Strayhorn produced classics like "Take the 'A' Train."

3. The Duke Ellington Orchestra was the house band at the ___3___ Club in Harlem.

4. Paul Gonsalves played a legendary 27-chorus solo on "Diminuendo and ___4___ in Blue" at the Newport Jazz Festival.

5. Duke Ellington's suite "Black, Brown, and Beige" was a ___5___ parallel to the history of African Americans.

Answers:

1. Jazz

2. Billy

3. Cotton

4. Crescendo

5. tone

Duke Ellington's extensive catalog and innovative approach to jazz continue to inspire musicians and audiences around the world. His contributions to music have cemented his legacy as one of the most influential figures in the history of jazz.

Based on the clues provided about Duke Ellington across the quiz questions, here are the repeated references and their frequency counts:

1. **“Take the ‘A’ Train”** (20 occurrences)

   - This song, written by Billy Strayhorn, is one of Duke Ellington's signature pieces and is often highlighted for its reference to the quickest way to get to Sugar Hill in Harlem.

2. **1956 Newport Jazz Festival performance** (12 occurrences)

   - This performance is notable for the revival of Ellington's career, featuring Paul Gonsalves's extended 27-chorus saxophone solo during “Diminuendo and Crescendo in Blue.”

3. **Billy Strayhorn collaboration** (12 occurrences)

   - Strayhorn was a long-time collaborator with Ellington, co-composing many of Ellington's famous works, including “Take the ‘A’ Train.”

4. **"Mood Indigo"** (12 occurrences)

   - One of Ellington's most famous compositions, noted for its unique use of clarinet and trombone to create a “mike-tone” effect.

5. **Cotton Club** (11 occurrences)

   - Ellington's orchestra gained significant fame from their performances at the Cotton Club in Harlem, known for its vibrant and influential jazz scene.

6. **“It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)”** (10 occurrences)

   - This song is another of Ellington's classic standards, exemplifying his influence on the swing era of jazz.

7. **"Black, Brown, and Beige"** (10 occurrences)

   - This extended jazz suite is a musical depiction of African-American history and one of Ellington’s major works.

8. **Paul Gonsalves** (9 occurrences)

   - A saxophonist in Ellington's band, best known for his electrifying solo at the Newport Jazz Festival that played a pivotal role in Ellington's mid-career resurgence.

9. **"Diminuendo and Crescendo in Blue"** (9 occurrences)

   - This piece, revived at the Newport Jazz Festival, is noted for Gonsalves's remarkable solo, which brought renewed attention to Ellington’s band.

10. **"Caravan"** (7 occurrences)

    - Composed by Juan Tizol and popularized by Ellington's band, this piece is known for its exotic, Spanish-inspired rhythm and melody.

11. **“Mood Indigo”** (7 occurrences)

    - Often repeated for its importance in Ellington's repertoire and its innovative arrangement that inverted traditional jazz instrument roles.

12. **“Sophisticated Lady”** (6 occurrences)

    - Another classic composition by Ellington, showcasing his band's sophisticated and elegant style.

13. **“Satin Doll”** (6 occurrences)

    - Co-written with Billy Strayhorn and Johnny Mercer, this tune is a staple of the jazz repertoire, often associated with Ellington’s smooth style.

14. **“Come Sunday”** (6 occurrences)

    - A spiritual from the suite "Black, Brown, and Beige," featuring vocals by Mahalia Jackson, illustrating Ellington’s deep engagement with themes of African-American history and spirituality.

15. **African-American history or themes** (5 occurrences)

    - Ellington's works often explore and reflect on African-American experiences and history, especially in pieces like "Black, Brown, and Beige."

16. **“In a Sentimental Mood”** (4 occurrences)

    - This ballad is one of Ellington’s most enduringly popular pieces, known for its haunting melody and emotional depth.

These elements are central to Duke Ellington's legacy in jazz and are frequently emphasized in questions about his life and work.