Lesson 18 Duke Ellington

Duke Ellington is considered the greatest composer in the history of jazz music and one of the greatest musicians of the 20th century. Duke composed more than 2,000 pieces of music.

Duke’s real name was Edward Kennedy Ellington, but a classmate gave him the nickname^① Duke. Duke started taking piano lessons when he was in elementary school, but he hated them. He picked them up again when he was a teenager.

By the time Duke Ellington was 19, he started playing at parties, dance halls,and other venues^②. In 1923, he left his hometown of Washington, D.C., and moved to New York City to play in different jazz clubs and dance halls there. Duke got a job playing at the famous Harlem jazz club known as the Cotton Club. Duke Ellington and his orchestra^③ played at the Cotton Club for eleven years. They became extremely popular.

By 1969, Duke Ellington had become one of the most respected musicians and composers in the world.

（163 words）

Notes

① nickname ['nɪkneɪm] n. 绰号；昵称

vt. 给……取绰号；叫错名字

② venue ['venjuː] n. 场地，场馆；犯罪现场，发生地点

③ orchestra ['ɔːkɪstrə] n. 管弦乐队；乐队演奏处

Exercises

Ⅰ. How well did you read?

1. [Check the details] How many pieces of music did Duke make up?

A. Just 19. 　B. About 2,000. 　C. 20.

2. [Note the fact] What kind of music did he play?

A. Dance. 　B. Piano. 　C. Jazz.

3. [Check the details] When did he become one of the most respected musicians?

A. In 1969.

B. In 1923.

C. By the time Duke Ellington was 19.

Ⅱ. Read for words.

1. Choose one best paraphrase for the underlined words.

（1） Duke composed more than 2,000 pieces of music. （Para. 1, line 2）

A. made up 　B. formed 　C. sang

（2） They became extremely popular. （Para. 3, line 6）

A. unusual 　B. greatly 　C. deeply

（3） By 1969, Duke Ellington had become one of the most respected musicians and composers in the world. （Para. 4, line 1）

A. famous 　B. admired 　C. popular

2. Choose one best paraphrase for the underlined expressions.

（1） Duke Ellington is considered the greatest composer in the history of jazz music and one of the greatest musicians of the 20th century. （Para. 1,line 1）

A. is known as 　B. is expected 　C. is named

（2） He picked them up again when he was a teenager. （Para. 2, line 3）

A. took piano lessons B. went to the school 　C. played music

Ⅲ. Writing practice.

1. Do you like music? How often do you play music?

2. Do you think Duke Ellington is the greatest composer? Tell me the reasons.

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