Quotes by Duke Ellington

About Duke Ellington:

Edward Kennedy was an American composer, pianist and bandleader of jazz orchestras. He led his orchestra from 1923 until his death, his career spanning over 50 years.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

My attitude is never to be satisfied, never enough, never.

Duke Ellington

Art is dangerous. It is one of the attractions: when it ceases to be dangerous you don't want it.

Duke Ellington

There is hardly any money interest in art, and music will be there when money is gone.

Duke Ellington

A problem is a chance for you to do your best.

Duke Ellington

A problem is your chance to do your best.

Duke Ellington

Fate is being kind to me. Fate doesn't want me to be too famous too young.

Duke Ellington

A man is a god in ruins.

Duke Ellington

On becoming more acquainted with the word of the Bible, I began to understand so much more of what I had been taught, and of what I had learned about life and about the people in mine.

Duke Ellington

Love is supreme and unconditional; like is nice but limited.

Duke Ellington

Playing 'bop' is like playing Scrabble with all the vowels missing.

Duke Ellington

Now I can say loudly and openly what I have been saying to myself on my knees.

Duke Ellington

By and large, jazz has always been like the kind of a man you wouldn't want your daughter to associate with.

Duke Ellington

It's like an act of murder; you play with intent to commit something.

Duke Ellington

Critics have their purposes, and they're supposed to do what they do, but sometimes they get a little carried away with what they think someone should have done, rather than concerning themselves with what they did.

Duke Ellington

You've got to find some way of saying it without saying it.

Duke Ellington

I merely took the energy it takes to pout and wrote some blues.

Duke Ellington

People do not retire. They are retired by others.

Duke Ellington

New York is a place where the rich walk, the poor drive Cadillac's, and the beggars die of malnutrition with thousands of dollars hidden in their mattresses.

Duke Ellington

I don't need time, I need a deadline.

Duke Ellington

There are two kinds of worries - those you can do something about and those you can't. Don't spend any time on the latter.

Duke Ellington

Author Bio

  • NameDuke Ellington
  • Description1899- 1974, American jazz musician, composer and band leader
  • AliasesEdward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington; Edward Kennedy Ellington
  • BornApril 29, 1899
  • DiedMay 24, 1974
  • CountryUnited States Of America
  • ProfessionPianist; Composer; Autobiographer; Jazz Musician
  • WorksJust Squeeze Me (But Please Don't Tease Me); It Don't Mean A Thing; (In My) Solitude
  • AwardsSpingarn Medal; Presidential Medal Of Freedom; Legion Of Honour; Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award; Grammy Trustees Award