WAPS COMPOSER OF THE WEEK

  As a child, Edward Ellington was such a snazzy dresser that his friends started calling him "Duke," and that is how the rest of the world knows him today. He was born in Washington, D.C., in 1899 and was more interested in baseball than music!  Even so, Duke studied piano as a child, and by the age of 14, he was writing his own music --  at 18 he put together his first jazz band. His music is still popular today, and his orchestra continues to perform around the world. His grandson Paul Ellington is the leader. Even though his music is popularly labeled as "jazz," Duke called it "American Music."  Another interesting fact:  Duke is the first and only composer to appear on American money-the Washington D.C. quarter! Here are some of his most well-known works: Take The "A" Train Caravan (one of the best versions out there- quality isn't great) Better quality I let A Song Go Out Of My Heart Satin Doll S...

  American composer, Atlanta resident, and Spelman graduate B.E. Boykin is an assistant professor of music at The Georgia Institute Of Technology. She is the director of Kanjani , a vocal ensemble based here in Georgia. She has also won several awards including Kennedy Center Honors! Interesting fact, Mr. Montague has met this composer! Here are examples of her music: Silver Rain Dr. Boykin Directing Kanjani! Music Of Life Remembering Stardust Holding The Light Secret

While he was still a child Thelonious Monk taught himself how to play the piano, and by the time he was a teenager he was working as a musician! He had a full-time job playing piano and writing music before he was 25 years old. His music defined the style known as Be-Bop and inspired many other musicians to follow in his footsteps. Born in North Carolina, his family moved to New York City, when he was six years old, into a neighborhood full of musicians (see if you can find Thelonius in the picture above). Thelonious also earned a Pulitzer Prize for his music! Here are just a few of his many hits: In Walked Bud Thelonius playing and dancing! An entire album "Monk's Dream" 'Round Midnight Straight, No Chaser Little Rootie Tootie- written for his children

He is the most famous composer you've never heard of -- Scott Joplin was born near the end of 1867( the actual date is unknown) in Northern Texas. His mother was formerly enslaved and gave Scott some of his earliest music lessons. Scott taught himself to play the piano while his mother cleaned the houses of wealthy people who owned pianos (the Joplins did not have a piano at home). Later in his life, he began to write music and became known as "The King Of Ragtime" because of the style of music he created. An opera, music for ballet, and more than 44 ragtime dances for the piano are just a part of the music Joplin wrote in his life. Remember to say something about the music when you leave a comment. Great story about Scott Joplin from NPR Here are some of his most well-known compositions: The Entertainer Maple Leaf Rag The Strenuous Life Easy Winners Treemonisha- Scott Joplin's Opera!  In English!

Florence Price Florence Price was the first female African-American composer to have music performed by a major symphony orchestra! Her music blends African-American and European traditions and is becoming much more well known. She attended the Prestigious New England Conservatory Of Music, and later served as the head of the music department at Clark Atlanta University. Like many other composer/song-writers, Ms. Price wrote music for commercials and movies in addition to these well-known compositions: Symphony No.1 in e minor Piano Sonata No.1 in e minor Dance: Nimble Feet Violin Concerto No.2 Honeysuckle At Dusk

Born in Bonn, Germany in December of 1770 (America was still part of the British Empire at that time)-- Beethoven re-defined what it meant to be a musician during his lifetime. At the time he was born, most musicians were in the employ of wealthy patrons who controlled what they created -- by the end of his life, Beethoven demonstrated that it was possible to create music that satisfied the composer and audiences would be happy to pay to hear it. His music is among some of the most well-known in the world. He wrote for voice, piano, orchestra, and many solo instruments. Listen to the following: Minuet in G Ninth Symphony (the theme you know begins at 1:06:30-it's over an hour of music!) Newly Completed 10th symphony using AI Rage Over A Lost Penny ( Humor from Beethoven) Beethoven Lives Upstairs (a great movie about Beethoven's life) Piano Sonata #31 in A-Flat (one of Mr. Montague's Favorites) Bernstein talks about Beethoven now listen to the...