Audio Antiques - Duke Ellington: Jazz Royalty

Duke Ellington was a major influence on music during the jazz age. Edward Kennedy Ellington was born in 1899, and in 1927 had his first international hit with Creole Love Call. The African-American composer, pianist, and orchestra leader would remain popular for this rest of his life, touring the world, while based at the Cotton Club in Harlem, New York. Ellington was given many awards, including the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1966, the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1969, the Legion of Honour by France in 1973. You will hear the Duke Ellington story on the radio program Destination Freedom in 1948, the Duke performing live on NBC radio in 1945, and Ellington with entertainment superstar Bing Crosby on the Kraft Music Hall also in 1945. More at KRobCollection.com