Piano Sheets > Duke Ellington Sheet Music > Things Ain't What They Used To Be (ver. 2) Piano Sheet

Things Ain't What They Used To Be (ver. 2) by Duke Ellington - Piano Sheets and Free Sheet Music

  
About the Song
   Other avaliable versions of this music sheet: Version 1  Version 2  Version 3  
"Things Ain't What They Used to Be" is a 1942 jazz standard composed by Mercer Ellington. In 1941 there was a strike against the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, of which Duke Ellington was a member. Because of the strike he could not air his songs on the radio. Instead, he used songs written by his son Mercer and pianist Billy Strayhorn. Strayhorn's compositions of this time include "Take the 'A' Train", "Chelsea Bridge" and "Day Dream", and Mercer wrote "Things Ain't What They Used to Be", "Blue Serge" and "Moon Mist".[1] Jazz musician and historian Chris Tyle argues that most likely Mercer Ellington came up with the melody and his father then arranged the song for the band.[1] The song is most often played as an instrumental. Lyrics were written by Ted Parsons. Edward Kennedy -Duke- Ellington (April 29; 1899 May 24; 1974) was an American composer; pianist; and.    Download this sheet!
About the Artist
Edward Kennedy -Duke- Ellington (April 29; 1899 May 24; 1974) was an American composer; pianist; and bandleader. Recognized during his life as one of the most influential figures in jazz; if not in all American music; Ellington-s reputation has increased since his death; including a special award citation from the Pulitzer Prize Board.One of the twentieth century-s best-known African-American celebrities; Ellington recorded for many American record companies; and appeared in several films. Ellington and his orchestra toured the United States and Europe regularly before and after World War II. Ellington led his band from 1923 until his death in 1974. His son Mercer Ellington took over the band until his death from cancer in 1996. "Things Ain't What They Used to Be" is a 1942 jazz standard composed by Mercer Ellington. In 1941 there was a strike against the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, of which Duke Ellington was a member. Because of the strike he could not air his songs on the radio. Instead, he used songs written by his son Mercer and pianist Billy Strayhorn. Strayhorn's compositions of this time include "Take the 'A'.
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