CNN —This spring marks both the 50th anniversary of Duke Ellington’s death, and what would have been his 125th birthday. I use their particular ways of expressing themselves and it all becomes part of my own style.”To know Duke Ellington is to know his band — although few can name its other members today. Composer and bandleader Duke Ellington hovers over fellow pianist and band member Billy Strayhorn in this 1948 photograph. “Ellington plays the piano, but his real instrument is the band,” Strayhorn said. If it involved music, Ellington gave it a shot, always with his band in tow.

---

Persons: Sammy Miller, Duke Ellington’s, Duke ”, Ellington, “, ” Ellington, Duke Ellington, Sonny Greer, Greer, Miley, Jimi Hendrix’s, Harry Carney, Billy Strayhorn, Strayhorn, “ Ellington, ” Strayhorn, ”, Juan Tizol, Lawrence Brown, Clark Terry, — Organizations: Juilliard, CNN, New, Washington D.C, Harlem Renaissance, Ellington, Getty Locations: Harlem, New York, Washington, New Orleans, Pittsburgh, Sugar