Reminiscing Temporarily

Here is a photostat of a document Ellington researcher Ken Steiner shared recently on Facebook and which has since been incorporated into David Palmquist's Duke Where and When website.

It is a document of great historical significance, showing the effect the loss of his mother had on Ellington and the extent to which, however temporarily, it de-railed his career.  

Ken writes...

Daisy Ellington's death on 27 May, 1935 sent her son Duke into a deep melancholy. How many band dates were cancelled, and how long Duke was away from the band, are uncertain from newspaper reports. Mills publicist Ned Williams sent this telegram on June 5 to African American journalist Earl Morris requesting his assistance to get the word out that Duke had returned to the band. 

It reads:

June 5, 1935

MILLSERVICE AIRMAILER

From Ned G. Williams, 799 Seventh Avenue, New York, N.Y.

Circle 7-5217 or Circle 7-7162 

Cable – Jazz

Mr. Earl J. Morris

Metropolitan News

4506 South Michigan Avenue

Chicago, Illinois

Please help me correct the impression arising from the story circulated in the ANP to all colored newspapers that Duke Ellington has cancelled all future engagements on account of the death of his mother. Duke has returned to his band, is playing dance engagements every night and opens Friday at the Shea Theatre in Toronto, Canada, to be followed by another extended dance tour. The false impression that Duke is not traveling with the band had seriously affected his box-office receipts on a number of engagements and has cost him a lot of money unnecessarily. I know that you will be happy to help us correct this error.

Cordially yours,

Ned E. Williams

VIA AIR MAIL

Source: Claude A. Barnett Papers, The Associated Negro Press, 1918-1967; Drama, Theatre, and Motion Picture Materials in the Microtext Department; Boston Public Library.

Post Script:

Aftermath of Daisy Ellington's Death - follow up. Letter from Mills publicist Ned Williams thanking African American journalist C.A. Barnett for his help in correcting the impression that Duke Ellington's engagements had been cancelled.

June 11, 1935

Mr. C.A. Barnett
Associated Negro Press
3507 South Parkway
Chicago, Illinois

Dear Mr. Barnett:

I want to thank you for your courtesy in helping correct the erroneous impression regarding the cancellation of Duke Ellington’s bookings.

In my letter to various newspapermen, I did not intend to cast aspersions upon the accuracy of the ANP, but I was considerably upset by the demands of various dance promoters for adjustments on their contracts, based upon the stories which appeared in various colored newspapers.

Thank you again for your kindness and I hope that I may be able to reciprocate in some fashion.

Cordially yours,

ned e. williams