awritersworkbench.blogspot.com
E is for Ellington
Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington was one of the most prolific jazz musicians of all time, and widely considered to be a pivotal figure in jazz history. Born in 1899 in Washington DC to musician parents, he earned the nickname "Duke" from one of his childhood friends who was impressed by his dapper bearing. Although he began piano lessons at the age of 7, he preferred baseball; it wasn't until he turned 14 and began sneaking into Frank Holiday's Poolroom to listen to the piano performers that…
