Dharma ([dÊ±ÉÉ¾mÉ] ; Sanskrit: à¤§à¤°à¥à¤® dharma, listen (helpÂ·info) ; Pali: à¤§à¤®à¥à¤® dhamma) is a key concept with multiple meanings in the Indian religions Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism and Jainism. There is no single word translation for dharma in western languages.
As a pianist Duke Ellington was originally an excellent stride player who gained the respect of such giants as James P. Johnson, Fats Waller and his main influence Willie The Lion Smith.
Born Edward Kennedy Ellington on April 29, 1899, in Washington, DC, Duke began piano lessons at age six. He wrote his first composition, Soda Fountain Rag, at age fourteen, while working as a soda jerk. He began playing professionally at seventeen.