"My right arm, my left arm, all the eyes in the back of my head" — that was how jazz legend Duke Ellington described the composer and arranger Billy Strayhorn, who was born 100 years ago on Nov. 29.

Duke Ellington’s artistry reshaped American music, transcending jazz to influence classical, orchestral, and global cultural spheres. His innovative compositions, dignified public image, and ...

Duke Ellington is unquestionably the most important and prolific jazz composer. He composed over 1,500 tunes and quite a few have become both jazz standards and part of Americana. Even folks who don't ...