WKCR is excited to announce a special 24-hour broadcast for April 29th celebrating the 124th anniversary of the birth of Duke Ellington (1899-1974).

One of the greatest and most prolific composers and pianists in the history of music, Duke Ellington began his career as a bandleader in 1917 and led his eponymous orchestra from the mid-1920s until his passing in 1974, creating a body of work in the process that includes compositions such as “Mood Indigo,” “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If it Ain’t Got That Swing),” Black Brown and Beige, Such Sweet Thunder, and The Far East Suite. Ellington’s career was also noted for its association with numerous pivotal and unique musicians such as Harry Carney, Johnny Hodges, Billy Strayhorn, Paul Gonsalves, and “Tricky Sam” Nanton. Despite not receiving the 1965 Pulitzer Prize in Music after being unanimously recommended by its music jury, Ellington’s musical output is considered to be one of the most major and culturally significant in history, and he posthumously received a special Pulitzer Prize in 1999.

A programming schedule for the special broadcast is forthcoming. Follow WKCR on Instagram (@wkcr) and Twitter (@WKCRFM) for further updates. Online listening is available 24/7 at wkcr.org via our web stream.