Duke Ellington is considered to be one of the all-time greatest jazz composers and musicians. "The Duke" was born Edward Kennedy Ellington in April 29, 1899, the son of James Edward and Daisy Kennedy Ellington. Duke began taking piano lessons around the age of seven. By his mid teens, he became particularly interested in ragtime, inspired by such hot pianists as Harvey Brooks. Duke formed in 1917 his first band - the "Duke's Serenaders" - which he booked balancearound the Washington D.C. area, his home town, eventually playing society parties. l balls and He married Edna Thomason 1 and the young couple had their son Mercer Kennedy in 1919. Moving to New York City in 1923, Duke produced his first recording, renamed his band "The Washingtonians," and played in several exclusive clubs during the prohibition era. The band's music was broadcast live from the Cotton Club and, as more Americans owned radios, Duke's popularity escalated. Record contracts followed and the band, which had evolved into the Duke Ellington Orchestra, went on to play before international audiences. Duke's band became the most soughtafter in the United States and throughout the world. Ellington's tireless innovations as a composer, musician and bandleader resulted in an impressive volume of work. He and his band produced hundreds of records and appeared in several films. He also collaborated with such greats as Miles Davis, Cab Calloway, Dizzy Gillespie, Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong. Some of Duke's greatest compositions include, "Mood Indigo," "Rockin' in Rhythm," "Satin Doll,' "New Orleans," "Take the `A' Train," "The Mooche," and "Crescendo in Blue." * pink gold In 1969, Ellington was honored by U.S. President, Richard Nixon, with the nation's highest civil honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom. When asked about the meaning of jazz, Duke said: "It means the same thing it meant to musicians 50 years ago, f r eedom of expression." Duke Ellington died in 1974 in New York. During the 1998-1999 season, Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York will inaugurate (beginning this July) The Ellington Centennial, an ambitious year-long series of events that will make the internationally acclaimed jazz organization the center of the global commemoration of the 100th anniversary of Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington's birth. The season will include major collaborations at Lincoln Center with New York Philharmonic, New York City Ballet, The Julliard School and The Film Society of Lincoln Center. Globally, the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra will present concerts and educational programs in 100 cities in North and South America, Europe and Asia.