In the words of Ralph Gleason, Duke Ellington was “‘the greatest composer this

American society has produced’” (112). As a musician who was famous around the time of the

Harlem Renaissance, Duke Ellington is notable for his works as a writer, a composer, and a

general musician. Ellington began to pursue his passion through musical mentors and

exploration.

To begin, Duke Ellington began pursuing his passion through musical mentors. To

illustrate, Old writes, “The musicians at Frank Holiday’s pool room demonstrated their

techniques and talked him through the lessons” (28). This statement explains Ellington’s origins

in the musical genre of jazz, for he began learning approaches to the performance of jazz from

other musicians. To further clarify, Old writes, “His [Ellington’s] best mentor was his high

school music teacher, Henry Grant . . . . Grant invited Duke into his home for private lessons in

music theory, harmony, and composition” (34). Since this statement displays another example of

one of Ellington’s teachers, it continues to solidify the fact that he was taught by other musicians

in his area. Finally, Old writes, “He [Ellington] became friends with . . . Willie “the Lion” Smith.

The Lion’s piano-playing style and personality made a big impression on him. Ellington’s own

piano style was moving closer to the jazz sound that became his trademark” (47). Since Ellington

is well-known for his jazzy style of music, this statement implies that his musical methods were

influenced by other jazz musicians. Therefore, Duke Ellington began pursuing his passion

through musical mentors.

In addition, Ellington began pursuing his passion through musical exploration. To

explain, Old writes, “He [Ellington] grew bored and played with chords at his piano. Gradually

his fiddling around congealed into his first musical composition. . . . He called his first
composition ‘The Soda Fountain Rag’” (29). This statement shows that Ellington began

composing by learning through musical experimentation. Additionally, Old writes, “One day the

pianist at the Poodle Dog Cafe was too drunk to perform. Duke took his place and played his one

composition. He played it as ragtime. He played it as a one-step, as a two-step, a waltz, a foxtrot,

with slow, middle, and fast tempo” (30). This statement explicitly reveals Ellington’s attempts

with other types of music, and in addition, this is what exposed him to other genres of music and

his love for jazz. Therefore, Duke Ellington began pursuing his passion through musical

exploration.

Duke Ellington started learning music by both being taught and teaching himself.

Professional musicians provided Ellington with a musical basis, but his experimentation with

different styles of music established his status as a musician. In addition to being “‘the greatest

composer this American society has produced,’” (112) Stanley Dance states that Ellington “‘was

loved throughout the whole world . . . ‘“ (112).