Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington (April 29, 1899 – May 24, 1974) was an American jazz pianist, composer, and leader of his eponymous jazz orchestra from 1923 through the rest of his life.

Awards and honors

• 1960, Hollywood Walk of Fame, contribution to recording industry
• 1964, Honorary Doctorate of Humanities from Milton College
• 1966, Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
• 1969, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award in the US
• 1971, an Honorary PhD from the Berklee College of Music
• 1973, the Legion of Honour by France, its highest civilian honor.
• 1999, posthumous Special Pulitzer Prize for his lifetime contributions to music and culture

Grammy Awards

Ellington earned 14 Grammy awards from 1959 to 2000 (three of which were posthumous) and a total of 25 nominations