Duke Ellington (1899–1974) was a pioneering American jazz composer, pianist, and bandleader whose career spanned over five decades. Born in Washington, D.C., he began piano lessons at seven and formed his first band in his teens. Ellington's orchestra gained national prominence in the 1920s through performances at Harlem's Cotton Club. He composed thousands of pieces, including classics like "It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)" and "Satin Doll." Renowned for his innovative use of the big band format and unique orchestral sounds, Ellington's music transcended genre boundaries, embodying what he termed "American Music." His contributions earned him numerous accolades, including 14 Grammy Awards and a posthumous Pulitzer Prize Special Award in 1999. ([britannica.com](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Duke-Ellington?utm_source=openai))