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Mercer Ellington
Trumpet
Born March 11, 1919 in Washington, D.C., United States (1919–1996)·d. February 8, 1996 in Copenhagen, Denmark (aged 77)
Opera
Mercer Kennedy Ellington was an American musician, composer, and arranger. His father was Duke Ellington, whose band Mercer led for 20 years after his father's death.
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
5 Signature Roles4 Principal Houses
Spotlight
Career Trajectory
Mercer Ellington emerged as a composer and arranger in the late 1930s, contributing original works to his father's orchestra while developing his own bandleading credentials. After Duke's death in 1974, he assumed artistic direction of the Duke Ellington Orchestra, conducting the ensemble through celebrated recordings and international tours while simultaneously establishing himself as a Broadway conductor and opera conductor. His 1988 Grammy Award for *Digital Duke* cemented his reputation as a musician of substance who honored his father's legacy while advancing it into new artistic territory.
Career Highlight
Grammy Award for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Performance for *Digital Duke* (1988)
At a Glance
- Voice
- Trumpet
- Nationality
- United States
- Born
- 1919 · Washington, D.C., United States
- Active since
- 1988
Training & Education
New College, Teachers College, Columbia University
Engagements
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Career Arc
A chronological journey through key moments
1919Born in Washington, D.C., United States
1988Grammy Award for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Performance for *Digital Duke* (1988)
1996Died in Copenhagen, Denmark
Available Performances
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