Duke Ellington: A Spiritual Biography

by Janna Tull Steed

Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington and his music have been an integral part of the American scene for most of the 20th Century. This interpretive biography offers insights into Ellington's enduring appeal, not only as a composer and piano-playing leader of a jazz orchestra, but as a cultural icon. Janna Tull Steed traces Ellington's journey from a protected childhood in Washington, D.C., through his early career as a jazzman in Harlem nightclubs to the presentation of his music in the world's grandest cathedrals in his last years.

Genres: Music, Biography

192 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 1999

Reviews

[Kim · Rating 2 out of 5]

I used to read tons of biographies when I was a kid, but this one was too much about happenings and timelines for my taste. I did enjoy getting a taste of Duke Ellington's personality.