Duke Ellington Orchestra - Live in Het Concertgebouw Amsterdam - 02-11-1958 • World of Jazz

Edward Kennedy (Duke) Ellington (April 29, 1899 – May 24, 1974) was an American jazz pianist, orchestra leader, and composer. Duke Ellington was a versatile jazz composer whose influence on music between the 1920s and the 1960s was significant. He is considered one of the greatest American composers. His major successes were Take the A Train, Satin Doll, Rockin’ in Rhythm, Mood Indigo, Caravan and Sophisticated Lady. In the 1920’s and 1930’s he worked a lot with Irving Mills, from 1940 mostly with Billy Strayhorn. Many of his compositions were specially attributed to certain musicians of his orchestra: Johnny Hodges, Bubber Miley, Cootie Williams, Joe “Tricky Sam“ Nanton, Barney Bigard, Ben Webster, Harry Carney, Sonny Greer, Otto Hardwick and Wellman Braud. One of the best known of these pieces is Concerto for Cootie (1940). Some musicians from his band achieved star status themselves, such as Jimmy Blanton and Ben Webster. This unique and ultra rare performance was filmed by