Edward Kennedy Duke Ellington (29 April, 1899 - 24 May, 1974), also known as simply “Duke”, was an American jazz composer, pianist, and bandleader. William Thomas Billy Strayhorn (November 29, 1915 – May 31, 1967) was an American composer, pianist and arranger, best known for his successful collaboration with bandleader and composer Duke Ellington lasting nearly three decades. Read more on Last.fm