Duke Ellington is considered one of the most prolific American composers of the 20th century. In his 50-year career her wrote songs, music for musicals and films, and established an orchestra that performed all of the USA and the world. Ellington is considered one of the most influential musicians in the world of jazz and in American music in general. Upon his death the baton was handed over to his son, Mercer Ellington, and then again in 1996, to Mercer's son, Paul, who leads the orchestra at home and in tours around the world with great success.
