Prelude to a Kiss

"Prelude to a Kiss" is a jazz standard composed by Duke Ellington in 1938. It is known for its distinctive melody and harmonic structure, featuring wide interval leaps that became an Ellington trademark. The song was introduced by Ivy Anderson, the band's female vocalist in the 1930s. Ellington, a master composer and bandleader, was a pioneer of big-band jazz and created a unique ensemble sound that influenced Western music. He began composing and performing music professionally at age 17, encouraged by his family's interest in the arts. Ellington's work, including "Prelude to a Kiss," showcased his ability to exploit individual musicians' talents and extend the forms of jazz.123