Ellingtonian

English

Etymology

Ellington +‎ -ian

Adjective

Ellingtonian (comparative more Ellingtonian, superlative most Ellingtonian)

1. Relating to or in the style of Duke Ellington (1899–1974), American composer, pianist, and jazz orchestra leader.
   • 2005, Bill Kirchner, The Oxford Companion to Jazz, page 286:

     A very different case was that of the charismatic drummer Chick Webb, who for years led a very popular band at Harlem's Savoy Ballroom. His 1929 "Dog Bottom" and slightly Ellingtonian "Jungle Mama" (both Brunswick —as by the Jungle Band) were somewhat ahead of their day and almost orchestral in approach.

   • 2009, John Howland, Ellington uptown:

     This act has come to form the very definition of Ellingtonian "extended jazz," as Ellington's post-BB&B concert works are most commonly composed as suites built from "extended" chorus-based arranging routines.

   • 2015, Jason C. Bivins, Spirits Rejoice!: Jazz and American Religion:

     His albums in the late 1980s reflected his curatorial interest in Tin Pan Alley compositions, in the musical mélange of his hometown New Orleans, and in Ellingtonian themes.

Noun

Ellingtonian (plural Ellingtonians)

1. A member of Duke Ellington's band.
   • 2004, Colin Larkin, The Virgin Encyclopedia of Jazz, page 274:

     Hodges became the most striking example of the truism 'once an Ellingtonian, always an Ellingtonian '.

   • 2006, Richard Cook, Brian Morton, The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings, page 649:

     These aren't classic records (despite the label tide) and one immediately recognizes that, despite being surrounded by Ellingtonians, albeit a reduced personnel, Johnny played his best work with Duke himself.

   • 2010, Bill Reed, Hot from Harlem: Twelve African American Entertainers, 1890-1960:

     In addition to his many credited and unbilled appearances as an Ellingtonian, he was a sideman on other musicians' studio sessions (Clark Terry, Johnny Hodges, et al.), as well as recording a handful of albums under his own name.