Edward Kennedy “Duke” Ellington (April 29, 1899 – May 24, 1974) was an American composer, pianist and leader of a jazz orchestra….which he led from 1923 until his death over a career spanning more than six decades. Ellington was shortlisted for the Pulitzer Prize for Music in 1965….but no prize was ultimately awarded that year…..when at 66 years old, he joked that “Fate is being kind to me. Fate doesn’t want me to be famous too young.”….then in 1999, he was posthumously awarded a special Pulitzer Prize which was “commemorating the centennial year of his birth, in recognition of his musical genius, which evoked aesthetically the principles of democracy through the medium of jazz and thus made an indelible contribution to art and culture”.
In this video seen herewith….jazz singer extraordinaire Joe Williams….who sang with big bands such as the Count Basie Orchestra and the Lionel Hampton Orchestra…..performs Duke Ellington’s song “Those Who Are Lonely Too” live on stage at the televised special The Kennedy Center Salutes Duke Ellington in 1980….while being accompanied by Billy Taylor & His All Star Orchestra.
