Mercer Ellington (11 March 1919–8 February 1996) was an American jazz trumpeter, composer, and arranger. 11 March is the 70th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (71st in Leap year). ... 1919 (MCMXIX) was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... February 8 is the 39th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1996 (MCMXCVI) was a leap year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International Year for the Eradication of Poverty. ... Jazz is an original American musical art form originating around the early 1920s in New Orleans, rooted in Western music technique and theory, and is marked by the profound cultural contributions of African Americans. ... Trumpeter redirects to here. ... A composer is a person who writes music. ...

Ellington was born in Washington, DC, the son of famous composer, pianist, and bandleader Duke Ellington. The young Ellington was taught by his father rather than studying music formally, and by the age of eighteen had written his first piece to be recorded by his father ("Pigeons and Peppers"). Aerial photo (looking NW) of the Washington Monument and the White House in Washington, DC. Washington, D.C., officially the District of Columbia (also known as D.C.; Washington; the Nations Capital; the District; and, historically, the Federal City) is the capital city and administrative district of the United... A grand piano A piano is a keyboard instrument, which is widely used in western music for solo performance, chamber music, and accompaniment, and also as a convenient aid to composing and rehearsal. ... A bandleader is the director of a band of musicians. ... Duke Ellington Edward Kennedy Duke Ellington (April 29, 1899–May 24, 1974), also known simply as Duke (see Jazz royalty), was an American jazz composer, pianist, and bandleader. ...

In 1939, 1946–1949, and 1959 he led his own bands, many of whose members went on play with his father, or to achieve independent fame (notable Dizzy Gillespie, Kenny Dorham, Idrees Sulieman, Chico Hamilton, Charles Mingus, and Carmen McRae. During the 1940s in particular he wrote pieces that became standards, including "Things Ain't What They Used to Be", "Jumpin' Punkins", "Moon Mist", and "Blue Serge". Dizzy Gillespie in 1955 John Birks Dizzy Gillespie (October 21, 1917 – January 6, 1993) was born in Cheraw, South Carolina. ... McKinley Howard (Kenny) Dorham (August 30, 1924 - December 5, 1972) was an American jazz trumpeter, singer, and composer. ... Idrees Sulieman was a trumpet player, who participated in the movement of jazz music known as bepop. ... Foreststorn Hamilton, better known as Chico Hamilton (born September 21, 1921 in Los Angeles) is a jazz drummer. ... Charles Mingus (April 22, 1922 – January 5, 1979), also known as Charlie Mingus, was an American jazz bassist, composer, bandleader, and occasional pianist. ... Carmen McRae (April 8, 1920-November 10, 1994) was an American jazz vocalist. ... Jazz standard refers to a tune that is widely known, performed, and recorded among jazz musicians. ...

He composed for his father from 1940 to 1941, worked as road manager for Cootie Williams' orchestra (1941–1943 and again in 1954), and returned to work for his father playing E-flat horn in 1950, and then as general manager and copyist from 1955 to 1959. In 1960 he became Della Reese's musical director, then in 1962 went on take a job as a radio DJ in New York for three years. In 1965 he again returned to his father's orchestra, this time as trumpeter and road manager. Charles Melvin (Cootie) Williams (1910-1985) was an American jazz and rhythm and blues trumpeter. ... A copyist is a person who makes written copies. ... Della Reese as Tess on Touched by an Angel Della Reese (born Delloreese Patricia Early on July 6, 1931 in Detroit, Michigan), is a famous American actress and singer. ... For other meanings of DJ, see DJ (disambiguation). ... Nickname: The Big Apple Official website: City of New York Government Counties (Boroughs) Bronx (The Bronx) New York (Manhattan) Queens (Queens) Kings (Brooklyn) Richmond (Staten Island) Mayor Michael Bloomberg (R) Geographical characteristics Area Total 468. ...

When his father died in 1974, Ellington took over the orchestra, taking it on tour to Europe in 1975 and 1977 (his own son, Edward Ellington, played in the band in the late 1970s, and his other son, Paul Ellington, took it over at a later date). In the early 1980s he became the first conductor for a Broadway musical of his father's music, Sophisticated Ladies. From the late 1980s, however, he moved to Denmark, and largely withdrew from performing and writing. World map showing Europe Europe is conventionally considered one of the seven continents of Earth which, in this case, is more a cultural and political distinction than a physiogeographic one. ... Musical theater (or theatre) is a form of theater combining music, songs, dance, and spoken dialogue. ...

Discography as leader

• 1958: Black and Tan Fantasy (MCA)
• 1958: Steppin' into Swing Society (Coral)
• 1959: Colors in Rhythm (Coral)
• 1974: Continuum (Fantasy)
• 1984: Hot and Bothered (Doctor Jazz)
• 1987: Digital Duke (GRP) — reached number three on the Billboard Top Jazz Album chart
• 1989: Music Is My Mistress (Music Masters)
• 1992: Take the Holiday Train (Special Music)
• 1996: Only God Can Make a Tree (Music Masters)

Billboard can refer to: Billboard magazine Billboard (advertising) Billboard antenna In 3D computer graphics, to billboard is to rotate an object so that it faces the viewer. ...

Sources and external links

• Ian Carr, Digby Fairweather, & Brian Priestley. Jazz: The Rough Guide. ISBN 1-85828-528-3
• Mercer Ellington — brief biography by Scott Yanow, for All Music Guide.