The Duke
The Harlem Renaissance was an era full of life, excitement, and activity. The world in all aspects was in gradual recovery from the depression. The world of music wasexpanding, sharing it’s enthusiasm throughout the world. The evolution of jazz aroused the curiosity of the nation. As Blacks received their freedom, they were able to express themselves as talented individuals. Certain blacks contributed immensely to the era of jazz, for example, Duke Ellington. Ellington entered a brand-new, exciting era as he grew up. As Ellington became an adolescent, the entertainment world was undergoing rapid, change. The change was driven by the deep, persuasive shift in the American spirit. The country was anxious to recover what it lost during the Depression. Ellington’s jazz creations were unknown and alien to the world, however, Ellington received the chance to succeed at the Cotton Club. The results of Ellington’s achievements at the Cotton Club were extensive, leading him to success and to national fame. The reasons for his outcome need to be revealed because Ellington was one of the most important figures in the era of jazz. During the Harlem Renaissance, some of the clubs were segregated and some mixed. The Cotton Club’s patr . . .
ons were mostly whites and the club employed mostly blacks. Ellington often broke rules in order to reach new heights. He considered the term limiting but believed that there was no limit when composing music. Although not as influential as Louis Armstrong or Charlie Parker, he left a much larger body of work than any other musician in the history of jazz. Ellington’s style of playing in front of an audience was unique in that he used improvisation for most of it. His “jungle music” was obviously a key to popularity. Ellington was composing his music for the people. Ellington liked all the attention and continued to play. He was known to be generous and sympathetic. Ellington had the ability to trust his own taste, therefore he was comfortable playing for an audience. Without this he would not have been able to compose the way he did because he would have questioned his own judgment. As a result of the Harlem Renaissance and the growing interest in black entertainment, audiences enjoyed watching the many talented black performers. Some enjoyed listening to the new style of music while others had a taste for the old, more familiar styles. All of these character traits were part of the reason why people liked him so much.
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