Always Quote by George Shearing

I think I just had it by osmosis: an appreciation of Duke Ellington before I really even knew who he was.

— Brian Stokes Mitchell

“A problem is a chance for you to do your best.' - Duke Ellington”

— Benjamin Smith

I wouldn't know absolutely everything I've been influenced by, but the first jazz I heard was Duke Ellington.

— Melody Gardot

You always come back to Duke Ellington - he's kind of like the thread that holds everything together from the big band descending to…

— Herbert

You hear about the Duke Ellingtons, the Jimmie Luncefords, and the Fletcher Hendersons, but people sometimes forget that jazz was not only built in…

— Cab Calloway

[Prince] could very well be the Duke Ellington of Rock 'n' Roll.

— Miles Davis

A few years later, my Uncle David took me to the Earle Theatre to hear Duke Ellington.

— David Amram

I'm a proud Ellington alum. It has everything to do with who I am.

— Lamman Rucker

I keep reverting (to Duke Ellington), he to me is the greatest ever and my favorite jazz philosopher, as such.

— Cannonball Adderley

Duke Ellington was famous for hs very original harmonic patterns.

— Lawrence Welk

I have believed for many years that Oscar Peterson is not only the greatest pianist in jazz today, but the greatest it has ever…

— Gene Lees

Count Basie was college, but Duke Ellington was graduate school.

— Clark Terry