Edward Kennedy Duke Ellington - Essay Example

People and his race were the inspiration for his work. His eventful life has greatly motivated me in my current studies and career goals.
1. The study of Duke Ellington assisted me to understand how hardworking and consistency of purpose may bring success. Ellington never restricted his career goals and continuously tried to invent new platforms to demonstrate his skills and abilities. Undoubtedly, the aspiration to achieve more and more heights greatly aided him in being a great person while changing the musical notions of American society. Ellington’s never-ending desire for success has greatly inspired me.

2. Ellington has influenced other musicians and non-musicians around the world. Scholars suggest that many people have been influenced by Ellington directly whereas he also inspired many others indirectly. His works like ‘Jack the Bear’, ‘Cotton Tail’ and ‘Ko-ko’ has had a profound influence on jazz composition and performance practices (‘About Duke Ellington’). Ellington has a great influence over musicians in these modern days too. Charlie Barnet, Dave Brubeck, Lacy Gibson, Sammy Price, Goree Carter, and Jimmy Rushing are well-known artists influenced by Duke Ellington. His contributions to jazz and American music are just beyond words. He wrote thousands of songs among which more than a hundred became great successes. Inspired by Ellington’s enormous contribution to American music, many people entered this field and played a significant role in promoting jazz music. It was also identified that he could motivate many Black people who were considered socially less valuable during his time.

3. Two things that happened at the Cotton Club in New York City while Ellington was appearing there enhanced his musical growth and popularity. First, Ellington got an unexpected opportunity to perform in the Cotton Club for a major occasion. In 1927, the famous musician King Oliver refused a regular booking for jazz performance at the Cotton Club. As a result, the band organizers invited Ellington. The radio broadcast of this performance tremendously increased the popularity of Ellington and helped him achieve the appreciation of the white clientèle. This incident can be considered a turning point in Ellington’s musical life.

In 1937, Ellington met a beautiful chorus girl named Beatrice ‘Evie’ Ellis at the Cotton Club. “Ellington left Mildred Dixon for Evie, who would come to be his lifetime companion” (qt in Morton: 21). Read More