Edward Ellington was born on April 29, 1899. As a boy, he did not like to play piano, and would have rather gone outside and played baseball. The Ellingtons lived in the "all black" part of Washington, D.C. His father was a butler in the White House when Edward was little, but later he became a blueprint maker for the United States’ Navy. Edward got his first job at a cafe in Washington, D.C. playing the piano. It was a tough job for him, but he managed to make his audiences happy. He played James P. Johnson’s "Carolina Shout", and one that he made up called, "Soda Fountain Rag". Edward went from "The Poodle Dog Cafe" to the top of the jazz world.

When Duke (Edward got the name "Duke" because of his nice clothes and his pleasing manners) was 19, he married a girl named Edna Thompson, who lived in his childhood neighborhood. They lived in an apartment, which was quite close to where his parents were living.

Duke started his first band, the "Washingtonians", when he was in high school. In the late 20s, the band moved to "Harlem’s Cotton Club" in New York, before moving several more times later on. Through the years, Duke played the piano very well, composed a lot of music, and escorted his band to many broadcasts, recording sessions and interviews. Duke’s music was called, "Ellington Sound". It was performed in his home, at dances, concert halls and cathedrals all around the world. Duke also liked drawing, as well as music. He liked to paint signs, and thought that he had to choose between music and art. James P. Johnson was one of the most popular ragtime pianists back in the old days. He composed the song, "Carolina Shout". Duke spent hours and hours practicing that song before he was satisfied with the way he played it. Duke became one of the most famous and best composers and bandleaders in the country. Lots of other composers tried to copy Ellington’s music, but it was too distinct to be copied.

Duke and his band made a movie called, "Check and Double Check", and Duke’s band took a tour of the Midwest and the west coast states of America.

In 1933, Duke and his band went on a trip to Europe. After they got back from Europe, they went on a tour of Texas.

In about 1935, both Duke’s mother and father died. He was very upset and downhearted, but reading the Bible helped him feel better. From the 1940’s to the 1960’s, Duke and his band traveled to Europe, the Middle East, the Orient, Africa, Canada and many states all around the United States. Everywhere Duke went people adored him.

On Duke’s 70^th birthday, there were lots of celebrations. He blew out 70 candles for 10 nights in a row before his birthday, but his favorite celebration was when he went to the White House and President Richard Nixon threw a party for him. After dinner, President Nixon played "Happy Birthday" to him on the piano. Then he gave Duke the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which was the nation’s highest civilian honor. That was the first time a black man had ever received it. Duke earned the award for all of his dedicated work. Countries around the world know that the music nowadays is due to Duke.

Edward "Duke" Ellington died in New York on May 24, 1974.