Ellington, Duke (Edward Kennedy Ellington), 1899-1974, American jazz musician and composer, b. Washington, D.C. Ellington made his first professional appearance as a jazz pianist in 1916. By 1918 he had formed a band, and after appearances in nightclubs in Harlem he became one of the most famous figures in American jazz. Ellington's orchestra, playing his own and Billy Strayhorn's compositions and arrangements, achieved a fine unity of style and made many innovations in the jazz idiom. Many instrumental virtuosos worked closely with Ellington for long periods of time. Among his best-known short works are Mood Indigo, Solitude, and Sophisticated Lady. He also wrote jazz works of complex orchestration and ambitious scope for concert presentation, notably Creole Rhapsody (1932), Black, Brown and Beige (1943), Liberian Suite (1947), Harlem (1951), and Night Creatures (1955), and composed religious music, including three sacred concerts (1965, 1968, and 1973). Ellington made many tours of Europe, appeared in numerous jazz festivals and several films, and made hundreds of recordings. In 1969 he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

orig. Edward Kennedy Ellington

(born April 29, 1899, Washington, D.C., U.S.—died May 24, 1974, New York, N.Y.) U.S. pianist, bandleader, arranger, and composer. He formed his band in 1924 in Washington, D.C.; by 1927 it was performing regularly at the Cotton Club in Harlem. Until the end of his life his band would enjoy the highest professional and artistic reputation in jazz. First known for his distinctive “jungle” sound—a description derived from the use of growling muted brass and sinister harmonies—Ellington increasingly integrated blues elements into his music. He composed with the idiosyncratic sounds of his instrumentalists in mind. Many of his players spent most of their careers with the band; they included saxophonists Johnny Hodges and Harry Carney, bassist Jimmy Blanton, trombonists Tricky Sam Nanton and Lawrence Brown, and trumpeters Bubber Miley and Cootie Williams. Pianist Billy Strayhorn was Ellington's frequent collaborator. Ellington composed a massive body of work, including music for dancing, popular songs, large-scale concert works, musical theatre, and film scores. His best-known compositions include “Mood Indigo,” “Satin Doll,” “Don't Get Around Much Anymore,” and “Sophisticated Lady.”

Learn more about Ellington, Duke with a free trial on Britannica.com.

orig. Edward Kennedy Ellington

(born April 29, 1899, Washington, D.C., U.S.—died May 24, 1974, New York, N.Y.) U.S. pianist, bandleader, arranger, and composer. He formed his band in 1924 in Washington, D.C.; by 1927 it was performing regularly at the Cotton Club in Harlem. Until the end of his life his band would enjoy the highest professional and artistic reputation in jazz. First known for his distinctive “jungle” sound—a description derived from the use of growling muted brass and sinister harmonies—Ellington increasingly integrated blues elements into his music. He composed with the idiosyncratic sounds of his instrumentalists in mind. Many of his players spent most of their careers with the band; they included saxophonists Johnny Hodges and Harry Carney, bassist Jimmy Blanton, trombonists Tricky Sam Nanton and Lawrence Brown, and trumpeters Bubber Miley and Cootie Williams. Pianist Billy Strayhorn was Ellington's frequent collaborator. Ellington composed a massive body of work, including music for dancing, popular songs, large-scale concert works, musical theatre, and film scores. His best-known compositions include “Mood Indigo,” “Satin Doll,” “Don't Get Around Much Anymore,” and “Sophisticated Lady.”

Learn more about Ellington, Duke with a free trial on Britannica.com.

Crystal Lake is a census-designated place and part of the town of Ellington, Connecticut in Tolland County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 1,459 at the 2000 census.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 20.9 km² (8.1 mi²). 20.2 km² (7.8 mi²) of it is land and 0.7 km² (0.3 mi²) of it (3.35%) is water.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 1,459 people, 552 households, and 421 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 72.2/km² (187.1/mi²). There were 634 housing units at an average density of 31.4/km² (81.3/mi²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 97.67% White, 0.41% African American, 0.07% Native American, 0.82% Asian, 0.21% from other races, and 0.82% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.03% of the population.

There were 552 households out of which 36.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.3% were married couples living together, 7.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.7% were non-families. 17.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.64 and the average family size was 3.00.

In the CDP the population was spread out with 26.3% under the age of 18, 4.0% from 18 to 24, 34.3% from 25 to 44, 25.7% from 45 to 64, and 9.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 100.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.6 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $61,897, and the median income for a family was $69,375. Males had a median income of $46,393 versus $36,944 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $24,645. About 5.6% of families and 7.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.2% of those under age 18 and 2.8% of those age 65 or over.

References

• CAES: Crystal Lake, Ellington - Invasive Aquatic Plant Program