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The name is monumental in the world of jazz, who else but Duke Ellington would come to mind when thinking of the music that formed the 1920’s and shaped later music to what it is today. Undoubtedly one of the most accomplished musicians of all time and the forefront leader of the jazz world. Duke didn't always have music on his mind though. Duke, Born Edward Kennedy Ellington was born April 29th ,1899 the son of James William Ellington and Daisy Kennedy Ellington. They lived In Washington, moving out of the deep south just prior to Dukes birth to escape failing agriculture and the implementation of the Jim Crow laws. They lived comfortably in the middle class. Duke was given his nickname by his friends and family, and it stuck with him throughout his life. As a child Duke’s family listened to music that had black roots such as ragtime. The family considered jazz something to radical, new and vulgar though for there sophistication so it did not have a strong presence in his early childhood. When Duke was about seven his parents had arranged for him to take piano lessons. This at the time was seemingly not for him as it did not stick long. He would rather spend his free time outside playing sports such as baseball. His first