Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington (1899-1974) is a historic composer, pianist, jazz musician, and leader of the jazz orchestra, "Duke Ellington and His Orchestra".
History[]
Real-world history[]
Duke Ellington worked as a pianist in the 1920s. He acclaimed fame in the 1920s due to his performances in Harlem's Cotton Club. In 1923, he established the musical big-band The Washingtonians which would come to better be known as Duke Ellington and his Orchestra. Duke Ellington is remembered as a musical-legend who was also a famously suave and charismatic figure.
Jungle Cruise appearances[]
Jungle Cruise[]
In Disneyland's Jungle Cruise, Nigel Greenwater plays Flamingo by Duke Ellington. In Walt Disney World's Jungle Cruise, Albert Awol plays The Mooche and an instrumental of Diga Diga Doo by Duke Ellington and an instrumental of Harlem River Quiver by Duke Ellington and Orchestra. Albert Awol also mentions these songs as having been supplied to him by the Library of Lost American Melodies in Manaus, Brazil.
Other appearances[]
Twilight Zone Tower of Terror[]
In the queue for this attraction, Alabamy Home by Duke Ellington will play in the Hollywood Tower Hotel.
Trivia[]
- Duke claimed that former president Theodore Roosevelt would sometimes come watch Duke and his peers playing baseball when they were young. Roosevelt is a figure in the Jungle Cruise's lore.