The Duke Ellington Orchestra

960 Special Topic, Non-Musician

Duke Ellington was one of the most important composers of the 20th century. Through his orchestra, he gave us some of history’s greatest jazz musicians and compositions, which have become a mainstay of American popular music. This listening and history class will cover Duke and his orchestra from its inception in the 1920’s to his death in 1974, focusing on his collaborations with Billy Strayhorn and other artists.