Obituary of Duke Ellington

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Duke Ellington

Edward Kennedy Duke Ellington (born April 29, 1899 in Washington D.C, U.S.) was a composer and musician who was best known for being the leader of his eponymous jazz orchestra starting 1923. Duke died on May 24, 1974 and his death was because of lung cancer and pneumonia. He died at age 75.

Please help us remember the life of Duke Ellington by contributing to his obituary, his family tree, funeral, burial, his birth, family, career and death in the sections below.

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Duke Ellington Biography Wiki:

    • Is He Dead or Alive: Dead
    • Full Name: Ellington, Duke
    • Common Name: Duke Ellington
    • Gender: Male
    • Preferred Gender Pronoun: he/him
    • Birthplace: Washington, District of Columbia, United States
    • Birth Date: April 29, 1899
    • Age: 75 (at death)
    • Also Known As: Edward Ellington, Dukie, Sir Duke
    • Occupations:
    • Net Worth: $2.5 million
    • Nationality: American
    • Favorite Food: Domino's Meat Lover's Pizza
    • Favorite Color: Cyan
    • Favorite Scent: 1 Million by Paco Rabanne
    • Favorite Actor: Diane Keaton

    Duke's Family Tree

    • Birth Name: Edward Kennedy Ellington
    • Father: James Edward Ellington
    • Mother: Daisy Ellington (née Kennedy)
    • Spouse/Partner:
      • Edna Thompson (married 2 July 1918-1967, her death)
    • Son(s):
      • Mercer Kennedy Ellington (March 11, 1919-February 8, 1996)

Death Notice:

  • Date: May 24 1974 at age 75
  • Place: New York City, New York, United States
  • Cause of Death: Lung cancer (and pneumonia)
  • Funeral Arrangements: Held at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine
  • Interment: Buried at the Woodlawn Cemetery, the Bronx, New York City

Category Tags:

ComposerMusician American Born on April 29th Born in 1899 Born in District of Columbia Died in 1974 Died at age 75 Died from Lung cancer

Quotable Quotes:

"I'm a telephone freak, the greatest invention since peanut brittle." (IMDB)

"Duke Ellington's life and death were shrouded in mystery. (V)"

"Duke Ellington's life was a true testament to his creative genius and his legacy lives on, inspiring generations to come. (V)"

"Duke Ellington's professional life was filled with success and accolades, with his innovative jazz compositions and performances earning him widespread recognition as one of the greatest musicians of all time. Despite his immense talent and fame, Ellington passed away at the age of 75 after battling with numerous health issues. (V)"

Is Mr. Duke Ellington still alive? According to our unconfirmed records, he has passed away.

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Celebrity Obit Rating: 4 Stars
Wiki Page Updated: 2025-09-24 08:43:10
Author: Stan
Confirmation: Duke Ellington on Wikipedia


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