Duke Ellington

Birth Name:

Edward Kennedy Ellington

Birth Date:

April 29, 1899

Birth Place:

Washington, D.C.

Death Date:

May 24, 1974

Place of Death:

Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center, New York, New York

Age:

Cause of Death:

Lung cancer and pneumonia

Cemetery Name:

Woodlawn Cemetery

Claim to Fame:

Music

Considered by many as the greatest jazz composer and bandleader of his time, Duke Ellington led his band for more than half a century, composed thousands of scores, and created one of the most distinctive ensemble sounds in all of Western music. In addition to the over 1000 composition and phenomenal sideman that graced his various musical groups, Ellington was noted for his inventive use of the orchestra and for his eloquence and charisma. His reputation continued to rise after he died, and he was awarded a posthumous Pulitzer Prize Special Award for music in 1999.

Cemetery Information:

Final Resting Place:

Woodlawn Cemetery

4199 Webster Avenue

Bronx, New York, 10470

USA

North America

Map:

Map of Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx, New York

Grave Location:

Wild Rose

Grave Location Description

As you enter the cemetery make your way to the intersection of Alpine, Fir and Heather Avenue which is now know as “Jazz Corner” Duke Ellington’s grave is directly across from Miles Davis and across from the great Lionel Hampton as well.