There has been a run on eBay lately of (very expensive!) theatre programmes from Duke Ellington's various tours (Correction: "We don't tour" - Ellington's response to the word. They used to do that sort of thing 52 weeks a year and would travel 53 weeks a year, physics permitting).
Where making a serious bid is out of the question, I keep a record of the photographs and occasionally the vendors' descriptions. of the illustrations here, the first two sets are, coincidentally, pages from the programme for the 1948 'variety' tour. Fascinating to see that the programme for the UK stretch is signed by all the participants in the ensemble.
Pages included here, also, from 1948 and Ellington's appearance at Carnegie hall in quite grand company. Interesting to see that Ellington's appearance is dated 3 April. His return in November saw the world première of Billy Strayhorn's Lush Life.
Finally from the UK, the final set is the farewell performance from There Trocadero, Elephant and Castle (legendary names!) - ticket included.
No comments:
Post a Comment