In this episode of pplpod, we explore the enduring legacy of Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington, a titan of the 20th century who preferred to classify his work not as "jazz," but simply as "American Music". Join us as we track his journey from a baseball-loving teenager in Washington, D.C. selling peanuts at Senators games to becoming the leader of the greatest jazz orchestra in history.

We discuss:

• The Making of a Duke: How his childhood friends gave him his royal nickname due to his dapper dress and elegant manners.

• The Harlem Renaissance: His rise to national fame as the house band leader for the Cotton Club, where he developed his signature "Jungle Style".

• A Unique Approach: How Ellington wrote music specifically for the "tonal personality" of his individua ...