[Ellington, Duke. (1899–1974)]
Signed program of the Duke Ellington Orchestra from its 1933 British tour
Souvenir program from the first British tour of the Duke Ellington Orchestra, which took place in June and July 1933 (publication without date or place). 24 pp. Cover, titled "A Concert of the Music of Duke Ellington / Presented by Jack Hilton /By arrangement with / Irving Mills," signed by the following band members: Joe Nanton, Fred Guy, Juan Tizol (ball-point pen), Barney Bigard, Johnny Hodges, [illegible], Otto Hardwick, Sonny Greer; all signatures in pencil except Tizol's, which is in ink. In between, there is a signature by "Richard Jones"; this calls the jazz pianist Richard M. Jones (1892–1945) to mind, but there is no Richard Jones listed in the biography section of the program. Includes biographies of all musicians and annotations to all of the 33 pieces performed; the lineup is listed in the center of the program, pp. 12–13. "Chronological List of the Compositions of Duke Ellington" to inside back cover. Cover measures 12 x 9 inches (20.5 x 23 cm); pages proper of program measure 11 x 8.75 inches (28 x 22.3 cm). Brown, sugary stains (cola?) to cover; inner bifolia detached; frayed at edges; tear to foot of back cover; still, a well-preserved copy.The "Message from Jack Hylton" to p. 21 is specifically directed at a London audience and refers to the concerts at the London Palladium, which opened the tour, in the past tense, suggesting that the present program is for the Melody-Maker-sponsored concerts at London's Trocadero cinema a few weeks later. The 1933 tour, which ended with two concerts in Paris, was Ellington's first appearance outside the United States. (22289)
Jazz Signed Document/Item