Duke Ellington

Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington is considered by many to be America's greatest composer, bandleader, and recording artist. His compositions drew on influences from many facets of American music including the Blues, ragtime, and minstrel song. Ellington worked as leader of the Cotton Club's house orchestra from 1927 to 1930, and made return appearances to the club as late as 1938, after the club moved from Harlem to downtown Manhattan. Duke Ellington and his Cotton Club Orchestra reached a nationwide audience live on weekly radio broadcasts.

(AP Photo)