Duke Ellington

Duke Ellington wrote his first composition at the age of 15, and it was called “Soda Fountain Rag.” It was inspired by his job as a “soda jerk.” Ellington began to play professionally at the age of 17. Ellington played the piano, and also penned some of the biggest ragtime hits. Some of his most famous songs include, “It Don’t Mean A Thing If It Ain’t Got That Swing,” “Take the A Train,” and “Sophisticated Lady.” Ellington died of lung cancer and pneumonia on May 24, 1974. His last words were, “Music is how I live, why I live, and how I will be remembered.”