Duke Ellington (Edward Kennedy Ellington, Washington, D.C., 29 April, 1899 - New York City, 24 May, 1974), was an American
jazz composer, pianist, and bandleader. Through the ranks of Duke Ellington's Orchestra passed some of the biggest names in jazz, including
Johnny Hodges,
Cootie Williams,
Bubber Miley, Joe "Tricky Sam" Nanton,
Barney Bigard,
Ben Webster,
Harry Carney,
Sonny Greer,
Otto Hardwick,
Clark Terry,
Jimmy Blanton,
Ray Nance,
Paul Gonsalves, and
Wellman Braud. Many musicians stayed with him for decades.