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Article: Mercer Ellington, 76, composer, conductor and leader of father's Duke Ellington Orchestra, dies.(Obituary)
- Article from:
- Jet
- Article date:
- February 26, 1996
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 1996 Johnson Publishing Co. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Mercer Ellington, who led the famed Duke Ellington Orchestra as arranger, composer and conductor after his father's death, recently died in Copenhagen, Denmark. Ellington was 76.
Ellington died of a heart attack, said his son Paul.
Before he took over the Duke Ellington Orchestra in 1974, Ellington worked as a salesman, discjockey and record company executive. He led small groups including a band that featured jazz singer Carmen McRae, who made her recording debut with the band. Ellington also studied at Columbia University and the Juilliard School of Music.
He also worked on and off as a trumpeter and band manager with the Duke Ellington Orchestra.
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