Mercer Ellington

Mercer Kennedy Ellington (March 11, 1919 – February 8, 1996) was an American musician, composer, and arranger. His father was Duke Ellington, whose band Mercer led for 20 years after his father's death.

Biography Early life and education Ellington was born in Washington, D.C., United States. His daughter Mercedes Ellington is president of the Duke Ellington Center for the Arts. After Ellington died, his son Paul became the executor of both his and the Duke Ellington estate and kept the Duke Ellington Orchestra alive. Ellington's eldest grandson, Edward Kennedy Ellington II, is also a musician and maintains a small salaried band known as the Duke Ellington Legacy, which frequently comprises the core of the big band operated by The Duke Ellington Center for the Arts.

Personal life His daughter Mercedes was born in 1939 to Ruth Silas Batts. Ellington was married three times. His first marriage was to Evelyn Walker from 1942 until 1976, with whom he had two children: Gayl Ellington and Edward Ellington II. Ellington's second marriage was to singer and actress Della Reese in April 1961. The marriage was later annulled in June of that year after it was determined Ellington's previous Mexican divorce was invalid. His third marriage was to Lene Margrethe Scheid from 1978 until his death in 1996. Together, Ellington and Scheid had one child, Paul Ellington (b. 1979).

Discography As leader Steppin' into Swing Society (Coral, 1958) Colors in Rhythm (Coral, 1959) Black and Tan Fantasy (MCA, 1974) Continuum (Fantasy, 1975) Hot and Bothered (A Re-Creation) (Doctor Jazz, 1985) Digital Duke (GRP, 1987) Music Is My Mistress (Musicmasters, 1989) Take the Holiday Train (Special Music, 1992) Marian McPartland's Piano Jazz with Guest Mercer Ellington (Jazz Alliance, 1994) Only God Can Make a Tree (Musicmasters, 1996)

As arranger With Clark Terry Duke with a Difference (Riverside, 1957)