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Duke Ellington Headshot

Duke Ellington

Date of Death: May 24, 1974 (75)

Birth Place: Washington, DC, USA

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Photos

Productions

Play On!Play On!
 
[West End, 2025]
Composer
Timon of Athens
 
[Broadway, 1993]
Composer

Writing

Blue Holiday
Lyricist
Composer
Composer/Lyricist
Bubbling Brown Sugar
Composer/Lyricist
Dream
Composer/Lyricist
A Drum is a Woman
Composer/Lyricist
Bookwriter
Jump for Joy
Composer
My People
Bookwriter/Composer/Lyricist
Play On!
Composer
Queenie Pie
Composer
Lyricist
Sophisticated Ladies
Source Material
Composer
Lyricist
Stardust
Composer
Swing!
Composer/Lyricist

Awards and Nominations

Drama Desk Awards - 1993 - Outstanding Music in a Play

Duke Ellington, Timon of Athens

Videos

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News


SMOKE Jazz Club Announces April Line-up Including Jim Rotondi Tribute, George Cables, Photo
SMOKE Jazz Club Announces April Line-up Including Jim Rotondi Tribute, George Cables, and More
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 26, 2025

SMOKE Jazz Club will present today's leading artists in April aka Jazz Appreciation Month. The lauded tenor saxophonist Walter Smith III begins the month with a five-night run (Apr 2-6) at the helm of his stellar quartet.
Lillias White Returns to Catalina Jazz Club Photo
Lillias White Returns to Catalina Jazz Club
by Stephi Wild - Feb 25, 2025

Direct from her critically acclaimed run in the smash hit Hadestown on Broadway, Tony Award-winner Lillias White will return by popular demand to Catalina Jazz Club in Hollywood.
Review: BLUES IN THE NIGHT at Arizona Theatre Company Photo
Review: BLUES IN THE NIGHT at Arizona Theatre Company
by Herbert Paine - Feb 23, 2025

ATC's BLUES IN THE NIGHT: It’s about feeling - pure, raw, and undeniable...if you’re looking to be wrapped up in a night of sensational voices and music that hums in your bones, this is a show to get lost in.
2025 Hollywood Bowl Summer Season: Cynthia Erivo, Hugh Jackman, and Diana Ross Among Photo
2025 Hollywood Bowl Summer Season: Cynthia Erivo, Hugh Jackman, and Diana Ross Among Stars Headlining
by Stephi Wild - Feb 19, 2025

The 2025 Hollywood Bowl schedule spans June through September, featuring a diverse lineup of performances including classical music, pop, rock, jazz, and Broadway hits. The Hollywood Bowl 2025 season marks the LA Phil's 103rd season at the venue. As BroadwayWorld previously announced, a highlight of the season will be Cynthia Erivo as Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar. New editions including Hugh Jackman, Dianna Ross and more special events.  
Chris Isaacson Brings BROADWAY COMES TO HOLLYWOOD to the Catalina Jazz Club Photo
Chris Isaacson Brings BROADWAY COMES TO HOLLYWOOD to the Catalina Jazz Club
by Stephi Wild - Feb 14, 2025

Chris Isaacson Presents will bring Broadway Comes to Hollywood to Catalina Jazz Club. The lineup begins with Tony Award-winners John Cameron Mitchell, Lillias White, and more.
Western Piedmont Symphony Presents The Clarinet Queen Of New Orleans Doreen Ketchens Photo
Western Piedmont Symphony Presents The Clarinet Queen Of New Orleans Doreen Ketchens
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 14, 2025

Western Piedmont Symphony will present MASTERWORKS: SYMPHONY SWINGS on Saturday, February 22, featuring guest artist Dr. Doreen Ketchens, the 'Clarinet Queen of New Orleans.'
Miami City Ballet 40th Anniversary Season Announced Photo
Miami City Ballet 40th Anniversary Season Announced
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 12, 2025

Miami City Ballet sets the stage for an electrifying celebration as it unveils its spectacular 40th Anniversary Season. This milestone season is a high-voltage tribute to four decades of boundary-pushing artistry, Miami style, and show-stopping performances that will leave audiences breathless.
Review: ALVIN AILEY AMERICAN DANCE THEATER at The Kennedy Center Opera House â€" Febr Photo
Review: ALVIN AILEY AMERICAN DANCE THEATER at The Kennedy Center Opera House â€" February 4th
by Audrey Cahak - Feb 7, 2025

The excitement was overflowing in The Kennedy Center Opera House as the annual Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater program began. The audience was so heavily anticipating the start that they found every excuse to cheer — they even applauded the sponsor acknowledgement. 
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater And BAM Reveal June Program Photo
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater And BAM Reveal June Program
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 7, 2025

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater will return to Brooklyn with a spring program that includes a world premiere from choreographer Jawole Willa Jo Zollar in collaboration with Samantha Figgins and Chalvar Monteiro. Learn how to purchase!
Louisa Lee Poster To Present SWINGING DOWN TIN PAN ALLEY at Silvana Photo
Louisa Lee Poster To Present SWINGING DOWN TIN PAN ALLEY at Silvana
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 5, 2025

Silvana will host an unforgettable concert as Louisa Lee Poster returns for an Encore Performance of 'Swinging Down Tin Pan Alley.' Learn more about the show and see how to purchase tickets.
92NY to Present Max Roach At 100: Tyshawn Sorey Trio & Sandbox Percussion Photo
92NY to Present Max Roach At 100: Tyshawn Sorey Trio & Sandbox Percussion
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 5, 2025

The 92nd Street Y, New York will celebrate the extraordinary legacy of legendary drummer, composer and activist Max Roach on his centenary. Learn more and see how to attend.
Interview: Jayna Elise of TINA: THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL at Salle Wilfred-Pelletier, P Photo
Interview: Jayna Elise of TINA: THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL at Salle Wilfred-Pelletier, Place Des Arts
by Noelle Hannibal - Feb 4, 2025

Jayna Elise has been performing since the age of 4. She has been on stages with Queen Latifah, Tyler Perry and many more. When she was 14 years old, she appeared on America's Got Talent and followed that up with two seasons on American Idol. In addition to her performance career, she is a songwriter, writing for hit Kpop groups like Red Velvet and NMIXX. I had the chance to chat with Elise just prior to TINA: THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL, in which she stars as Tina Turner, landing in Montreal. She's simply the best!
Photos: The Museum of Broadway Celebrates Black Storytellers of Broadway in New Exhib Photo
Photos: The Museum of Broadway Celebrates Black Storytellers of Broadway in New Exhibit
by Stephi Wild - Feb 4, 2025

The Museum Of Broadway recently celebrated its new special exhibit, Crafting Excellence: Black Storytellers of Broadway. Check out photos from the event here!
Review: Sultry, Soulful, and Spectacular: BLUES IN THE NIGHT Delivers at Arizona Thea Photo
Review: Sultry, Soulful, and Spectacular: BLUES IN THE NIGHT Delivers at Arizona Theatre Company
by Robert Encila-Celdran - Feb 3, 2025

Curated in collaboration with musical director Sy Johnson, acclaimed director Sheldon Epps first staged BLUES IN THE NIGHT in 1980 as a musical revue. The show follows three women and one man, each offering a different take on love and loss. Structured around legendary songs by Bessie Smith, Duke Ellington, Johnny Mercer, et al., it debuted on Broadway in 1982 and earned a Tony Award nomination for Best Musical.
Review: PLAY ON!, Lyric Hammersmith Photo
Review: PLAY ON!, Lyric Hammersmith
by Aliya Al-Hassan - Feb 3, 2025

During these dark and cold nights, something magical is happening on stage at the Lyric Hammersmith. Play On! was originally created by director Sheldon Epps and writer Cheryl L. West back in 1997, transferring from San Diego to Broadway. Talawa theatre company have stripped the show back and have created a truly joyful production to delight the most curmudgeonly of audiences.
Susan Mack's NO MORE BLUES (WINTER EDITION) Set for Chelsea Table & Stage This Month Photo
Susan Mack's NO MORE BLUES (WINTER EDITION) Set for Chelsea Table & Stage This Month
by Blair Ingenthron - Feb 2, 2025

Susan Mack will return to Chelsea Table & Stage with a one-night-only encore performance of her newest show, No More Blues (Winter Edition). Learn more about the performance here!
Dallas Black Dance Theatre Welcomes New Interim Artistic Director, Richard A. Freeman Photo
Dallas Black Dance Theatre Welcomes New Interim Artistic Director, Richard A. Freeman, Jr.
by Stephi Wild - Jan 31, 2025

Dallas Black Dance Theatre's 48th season will continue under the leadership of Interim Artistic Director Richard A. Freeman, Jr., whose deep roots in American dance and relationship with DBDT spans nearly 20 years.
CHICAGO SINGS 30 YEARS OF PORCHLIGHT On Sale At Porchlight Music Theatre Tomorrow Photo
CHICAGO SINGS 30 YEARS OF PORCHLIGHT On Sale At Porchlight Music Theatre Tomorrow
by A.A. Cristi - Jan 29, 2025

Porchlight Music Theatre has announced its annual fundraising concert celebrating Porchlight's 30th anniversary with Chicago Sings 30 Years of Porchlight, Monday, May 12 at 7 p.m., with a 5:30 p.m. reception, at the House of Blues Chicago.
Interview: Melissa Errico's Valentine's Day Residency Returns to Birdland Photo
Interview: Melissa Errico's Valentine's Day Residency Returns to Birdland
by Rebecca Kaplan - Jan 29, 2025

In cabaret master Melissa Errico's hands, familiar songs are recast as 'intimate conversations and private reflections,' perfect for a Valentine's Day weekend with your family, partner or friends. Read a conversation about the show, love, and more.
JAZZ AT NAZ Returns to the Soraya in February Photo
JAZZ AT NAZ Returns to the Soraya in February
by Stephi Wild - Jan 29, 2025

The Soraya’s signature festival, Jazz at Naz, will return or a month of performances from legendary masters to up-and-coming stars and more. Learn more here!
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many shows has Duke Ellington written?

Duke Ellington has written 15 shows including Cotton Club Parade (Composer), Jump for Joy (Composer), Blue Holiday (Composer/Lyricist), Beggar's Holiday (Composer), My People (Bookwriter/Composer/Lyricist), Pousse-Café (Composer), Bubbling Brown Sugar (Composer/Lyricist), Sophisticated Ladies (Lyricist), Queenie Pie (Composer), Stardust (Composer), A Drum is a Woman (Composer/Lyricist), Play On! (Composer), Dream (Composer/Lyricist), Swing! (Composer/Lyricist), Taking a Chance on Love (Composer).

What awards has Duke Ellington been nominated for?

Duke Ellington has been nominated for the Outstanding Music in a Play award at the Drama Desk Awards for his work on the play "Timon of Athens".

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