大象传媒

"Duke" Ellington is one of the most significant figures in music history.

He took a simple dance orchestra formula from the 1920s and transformed it into the 1930s 'big band era' world of jazz.

One of his innovations was to get his musicians - instrumentalist and singers - to explore unconventional sounds with their instruments. One such growling effect led to the expression "Jungle Sound" which became a byword for the Ellington sound.

Ken Clark talks to band leader, trumpeter and Ellington aficionado, Humphrey Lyttelton about the importance of Edward Kennedy 鈥淒uke鈥� Ellington.

Born in 1899, Duke died aged 75 in 1974.

Producer: Paul Evans

First broadcast on 大象传媒 Radio 4 in January 2004.