Duke Ellington — He's Our Royalty, and It's His Birthday Today
Tired of the House of Windsor yet? Want to celebrate something truly royal? Then wish a happy birthday to real American royalty, Duke Ellington. Click for a video.
Duke Ellington in 1971
Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington was born on this day in 1899. Before he died in New
York in 1974 and was interred at Woodlawn Cemetery, he brought us "It Don't Mean a Thing," swing at the Cotton Club, and the Harlem Renaissance.
Let the Windsors have their Diana dirge wedding ballad. We'll just be grateful we live in a place where our Duke helps us "Take the 'A' Train."
h/t WBGO
sthrasher@villagevoice.com / @steven_thrasher
Email to Friend
Write to Editor
Print Article
