Duke Ellington was an American composer, pianist, and bandleader of the early-mid 20th century. He is considered one of the greatest jazz composers of all time, and his compositions have had a lasting influence on jazz music. He was born Edward Kennedy Ellington in Washington D.C. in 1899 and was known professionally as DUKE Ellington. He composed over 1, 000 pieces of music, including 'Mood Indigo' and 'Sophisticated Lady'. He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1969 and was posthumously awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1999.