NYC Famous Faces - Duke Ellington
Duke Ellington - Known as one of the biggest names in jazz music, Ellington is a New Yorker whose name is a legend to this very day. He had a bit of an advantage while growing up, seeing as how both his parents were pianists. So it was only natural that Ellington should gravitate toward a musical career. And even as a child he was known for being a smooth and dapper individual. It’s no wonder he was such a hit with his audiences (and with the ladies).
Although the piano was his instrument of choice, Ellington actually wanted to be a baseball player when he was younger. But one trip to a jazz club was all it took to make him fall in love with the genre and really pursue his piano playing seriously. He’s played with and learned from some of the best over the years, so it’s no wonder he turned out to be as good as he did. Still, it wasn’t an easy road to fame. He painted signs for a living while he honed his skills and built a following. Eventually, when Ellington was about 25, he started to become recognized. He even ended up as the regular band at the legendary Cotton Club. From there, it’s all history. Ellington played for more than 50 years and left his mark on the world.
Photo courtesy of Koeppen via Wikicommons