A Case in Point...

A couple of interesting items have surfaced within a day or so of each other on Ebay on both sides of the Atlantic and each, I suppose, might be said to have been a part of the Ellington Orchestra’s baggage on tour.

Firstly, a flight case which the vendor describes as:

Duke Ellington tour flight case last used Usher Hall concert hall Edinburgh 1974   height 28 inches - length 25 inches - width 14 inches. Handles on both sides and top and three compartments inside with 2 straps plus 4 strong wheels. Duke Ellington stickers on all sides.

Duke Ellington certainly played the Usher Concert Hall but in 1973. He would have been too ill to visit Britain in 1974.

Full details of the auction can be found here.

The second item is, potentially, even more interesting: a Conn alto saxophone case which bears the legend Duke Ellington’s Cotton Club Orchestra.

The vendor describes the item:

Listed here is a vintage Conn alto saxophone case that was used by Duke Ellington's Cotton Club Orchestra. The case is in rough shape as the photos show, and it is missing the handle. The latches all still work....maybe used by Johnny Hodges or Charlie Parker...who knows? A great piece of jazz history to display or restore.

Charlie Parker playing alto with Duke Ellington’s Cotton Club Orchestra? Jazz discographies would go into meltdown.

Full details of this auction can be found here.

Happy bidding!