At a young age, Ellington took piano lessons, but he couldn't read  luminous music until he was at the astounding age of 15.  At  bizarre 15, he wrote  a piece called "Soda Fountain Rag" by ear. While he was young his mom would dress him in detailed clothes. That is how Edward got his nickname "Duke". In the middle of high school Ellington drooped out and got married to Enda Thompson.

          In 1923, Ellington moved to New York to work with the Elmer Snowden's band. Ellington wrote " It Don't Mean a Thing if it Ain't got That Swing" at the back of a concert. Edward wrote jazz, classical, blues, and movie music. Edward was the pianist and bandleader of the Duke Ellington Orchestra. Ellington composed a suite called " Black, Brown, and Beige" in 1943. Later on Ellington wrote "Sweet Thursday" in 1954.