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#                 Duke Ellington      

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Born in Washington, D.C., Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington rose to fame at Harlem's Cotton Club in the late 1920s. His career as a musician, composer, and bandleader spanned more than 50 years. Among his many compositions are hundreds of short pieces and more ambitious extended works, including operas, ballets, musicals, concert pieces (such as "Black, Brown and Beige"), and the "Sacred Concerts." He was decorated with numerous awards and honors, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom—presented by President Nixon in 1969. Browse additional information related to Duke Ellington from across the Smithsonian and in the Archives Center at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History.
  -          National Postal Museum        22c Duke Ellington single 
-          National Museum of American History        Wurlitzer Electric Piano 
-          National Portrait Gallery        God is Love 
-          National Portrait Gallery        Duke Ellington 
-          National Portrait Gallery        Duke Ellington 
-          National Museum of African American History and Culture        Letter to the Musicians' Protective Association from Duke Ellington 
-          National Museum of African American History and Culture        *Duke Ellington celebrates 25th anniversary in show business, c. 1952* 
-          National Museum of American History        *Esquire* Magazine Award, presented to Duke Ellington 
-          National Museum of African American History and Culture        Transit pass for St. Louis Public Service Company depicting Duke Ellington 
-          National Museum of African American History and Culture        Photographic print of Duke Ellington, Alfredo Gustar, and Billy Strayhorn 
-          National Museum of American History        Shoes, worn by Duke Ellington 
-          National Portrait Gallery        Duke Ellington 
-          National Museum of American History        American Guild of Variety Artists Award, presented to Duke Ellington 
-          National Portrait Gallery        Duke Ellington 
-          National Museum of American History        Tough Truckin'; Indigo Echoes 
-          National Museum of American History        Lazy Rhapsody; Blue Ramble 
-          National Museum of American History        Saratoga Swing; It's Glory 
-          National Museum of American History        Serenade To a Song; Chicago 
-          National Museum of American History        NAACP Tribute Trophy, presented to Duke Ellington 
-          Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum        Solitude 
-          National Portrait Gallery        Duke Ellington 
-          National Museum of African American History and Culture        Playbill for Duke Ellington's Sophisticated Ladies 
-          National Museum of American History        Duke Ellington Button 
-          National Museum of African American History and Culture        *Duke Ellington with Bop City patrons, c. mid 1950s* 
-          National Museum of American History        *Meditation* 
-          National Museum of American History        Duke Ellington Orchestra Bandstand Case 
-          National Museum of American History        Don't Get Around Much Anymore; Cotton Tail 
-          National Museum of African American History and Culture        Postcard of Duke Ellington and his Orchestra, with autograph 
-          National Museum of American History        Electric Piano Case 
-          National Museum of American History        Duke Ellington Orchestra Case 
-          National Museum of American History        Baton, used by Duke Ellington 
-          National Museum of American History        *DownBeat* Magazine Award, presented to Duke Ellington 
-          National Museum of African American History and Culture        *Duke Ellington and his Band at the Saint-Lazare Station* 
-          National Museum of American History        *DownBeat* Magazine Award, presented to Duke Ellington 
-          National Museum of American History        Irving Mills Trophy, presented to Duke Ellington 
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