Duke Ellington primarily played the piano. He is also sometimes described as having played the organ occasionally, and some sources mention early experience with the trumpet , but piano was his main instrument.

Quick Scoop

  • Main instrument: piano.
  • Occasionally played: organ.
  • Early musical experience: trumpet, according to some sources.

Duke Ellington is best known as a pianist, composer, and bandleader, not as a multi-instrument performer in the way some jazz musicians were.