Duke Ellington Quotes

United States, Composer
April 29, 1899 – May, 24, 1974.

Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington was an American composer, pianist, and bandleader of a jazz orchestra, which he led from 1923 until his death in a career spanning over fifty years.

Also known as Pianist

Fate is being kind to me. Fate doesn’t want me to be too famous too young.

Duke Ellington
- Famous
- Fate
By and large, jazz has always been like the kind of a man you wouldn't want your daughter to associate with.

Duke Ellington
- Daughter

If it sounds good, it IS good.

Duke Ellington
- Good
It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing).

Duke Ellington
Playing 'Bop' is like playing Scrabble with all the vowels missing.

Duke Ellington
- Missing
There are simply two kinds of music, good music and the other kind ... the only yardstick by which the result should be judged is simply that of how it sounds. If it sounds good it's successful; if it doesn't it has failed.

Duke Ellington
- Good
- Music
Roaming through the jungle of 'oohs' and 'ahs,' searching for a more agreeable noise, I live a life of primitivity with the mind of a child and an unquenchable thirst for sharps and flats.

Duke Ellington
- Life
- Live
- Mind
Every man prays in his own language.

Duke Ellington

It's like an act of murder; you play with intent to commit something.

Duke Ellington