Five Videos: Duke Ellington

The rise of swing and jazz's sophisticated impressionism starts with Duke Ellington. His first recordings were with Wilbur Sweatman and His Acme Syncopators in August 1924. His first leadership 78 was recorded in November of that year, billed as the Washingtonians. His first Columbia record came in March 1927, with East St. Louis Toodle-oo becoming a #10 hit. From there, he would go on to compose and arrange lush and jumping jazz compositions on his own and with Billy Strayhorn that continue to influence musicians to this day. Here are five videos that illustrate Ellington's vast contribution:

Here's a segment on Ellington in a BBC documentary on jazz...

Here's Ellington's orchestra playing behind singer-dancers Paul White and Marie Bryant in 1942...

Here's Ellington and his orchestra in Switzerland in 1959...

Here's Ellington and his orchestra in Montreal in 1964...

And here's Ellington and orchestra playing Solo for Johnny Hodges in 1969...