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Duke Ellington at the piano, April 21, 1946, 2:05-2:35 a.m.
Recording of Duke Ellington playing solo piano, following a late-night interview with Willis Conover at radio station WWDC.
Duke Ellington Cavalcade, Parts 1 and 3
In Part 1, Willis Conover's Saturday Night Dance Party program begins with Artie Shaw's "Just Kiddin' Around." Conover then discusses the rarity of some of the records he will play during this program, which is dedicated to the music of Duke Ellington, with selections "Animal Crackers," (sound drops briefly) "Bugle Call Rag," Freeze and Melt," and "Black and Tan Fantasy." In Part 3, Conover and Emerson Parker, an Ellington expert, record collector, and broadcaster at station WQQW, introduce selections including "Black Beauty" and "I've Got the World on a String."
Duke Ellington Cavalcade, Parts 2 and 4
In Part 2, Conover introduces Emerson Parker, an Ellington expert, record collector, and broadcaster at station WQQW, who introduces "Take It Easy," "Mood Indigo," "Sweet Mama," and "Hot and Bothered." In Part 4, Conover and Parker introduce "I've Got to Be a Rug Cutter," "Ebony Rhapsody," "Stompy Jones," and "In the Shade of the Old Apple Tree" (the end of the introduction and the tune are in part 5). Gil Lilly is credited as working in the control room.
Duke Ellington Cavalcade, Parts 5 and 7
In Part 5, Emerson Parker's introduction of "In the Shade of the Old Apple Tree" concludes, followed by the tune, along with "Solitude," "Clarinet Lament," "Ring Dem Bells," and "Hodge Podge" (introduction only, tune is in part 6). In Part 7, after station identification, Conover notes that Jerry Rhea will be joining the discussion soon, and reminisces about broadcasting during a stay at Walter Reed Army Medical Center while in military service; Conover also asks listeners to send comments on the program. Parker and Conover introduce "Tootin' Through the Roof," "Pitter Panther Patter," "Warm Valley," and "Do Nothing 'Til You Hear from Me."
Duke Ellington Cavalcade, Parts 6 and 8
In Part 6, "Hodge Podge" is followed by Willis Conover and Emerson Parker introducing, "Braggin' in Brass," "Boy Meets Horn," "Mobile Bay, and "Night Song." In Part 8, "Do Nothing 'Til You Hear from Me" is followed by Cottontail, and Conover and Parker discussing "Take the A-Train," and "Just A-Sittin' and A-Rockin'." Conover talks about seeing Ellington live for the first time just a few months before, at Turner's Arena.
Duke Ellington Cavalcade, Parts 9 and 11
In Part 9, Conover introduces Duke Ellington himself, along with Billy Strayhorn, to Emerson Parker, and interviews Ellington about his personnel, travel plans, and early recordings. In Part 11, the interview continues after selections from Ellington's Black, Brown & Beige Suite.
Duke Ellington Cavalcade, Parts 10 and 12
In Part 10, the interview with Duke Ellington continues, up to the introduction of the Black, Brown & Beige Suite. In Part 12, the interview continues further, including discussion of Mercer Ellington. Conover speaks more about his stay at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, along with fellow broadcaster Mark Austad (later known as Mark Evans). Jerry Rhea also speaks. Conover credits Frank Turner as the photographer for the evening (images are also in this collection), and notes that those in attendance included Ellington, Billy Strayhorn, Jerry Rhea with his wife and sister, Oscar Pettiford, and Emerson Parker. The recording closes with "Ring Dem Bells."
Hazel and Harold, April 21, 1946
Recording of a radio comedy, Hazel and Harold, featuring Willis Conover as Harold and Nathalie Sherman as Hazel. The program is reminiscent of the early Ethel and Albert programs he did with Peg Lynch at WTBO in Cumberland, Maryland, before the Second World War.
Hazel and Harold, April 28, 1946
Recording of a radio comedy, Hazel and Harold, featuring Willis Conover as Harold and Nathalie Sherman as Hazel. The program is reminiscent of the early Ethel and Albert programs he did with Peg Lynch at WTBO in Cumberland, Maryland, before the Second World War.
Hazel and Harold, February 10, 1946
Recording of a radio comedy, Hazel and Harold, featuring Willis Conover as Harold and Nathalie Sherman as Hazel. The program is reminiscent of the early Ethel and Albert programs he did with Peg Lynch at WTBO in Cumberland, Maryland, before the Second World War.
Hazel and Harold, January 6, 1946
Recording of a radio comedy, Hazel and Harold, featuring Willis Conover as Harold and Nathalie Sherman as Hazel. The program is reminiscent of the early Ethel and Albert programs he did with Peg Lynch at WTBO in Cumberland, Maryland, before the Second World War.
Hazel and Harold, March 3, 1946
Recording of a radio comedy, Hazel and Harold, featuring Willis Conover as Harold and Nathalie Sherman as Hazel. The program is reminiscent of the early Ethel and Albert programs he did with Peg Lynch at WTBO in Cumberland, Maryland, before the Second World War.
[Kenton band at Metropolitan Theater in Providence, RI]
Kenton band at the Metropolitan Theatre in Providence, RI.
[Kenton band pictorial for Metronome Magazine]
Pictorial date for Metronome magazine, taken at Cafe Rouge, Hotel Penn. in New York, NY. (The band was playing nightly nearby at the Paramount Theatre during this period).
[Kenton signing autographs at Schirmer opening]
Photograph of Stan Kenton, surrounded by people, signing autographs at Schirmer opening, in Brooklyn, N.Y.
[Kenton with group of men]
Photograph of Stan Kenton posing with an unidentified group of people.
Lionel Hampton at the Howard Theater, May 8, 1946, part 5
Conclusion of the concert by Lionel Hampton and his band, performing at a benefit for the Junior Citizens and Police Corps at the Howard Theater. The recording consists mainly of a drum solo.
Lionel Hampton at the Howard Theater, May 8, 1946, parts 2 and 4
Recording of Lionel Hampton and band, performing at a benefit for the Junior Citizens and Police Corps at the Howard Theater.
Melody Lane, part 1 of 2, August 15, 1946
Recording of the first part of Melody Lane, hosted by Mark Austad.
Mercer Ellington, Jack Teagarden, and Willis Conover
Photograph of Mercer Ellington, Jack Teagarden, and Willis Conover, likely in a backstage dressing room. Teagarden is in the center, playing trombone.
The Mountain Broadcast and Prairie Recorder, Number 7, March 1946
The Mountain Broadcast and Prairie Recorder was dedicated to information about folk and country songs and singers in the United States. These issues are from the collection of Floy Case, a pioneering music journalist who wrote many articles for this publication.
The Mountain Broadcast and Prairie Recorder, Number 8, June 1946
The Mountain Broadcast and Prairie Recorder was dedicated to information about folk and country songs and singers in the United States. These issues are from the collection of Floy Case, a pioneering music journalist who wrote many articles for this publication.
The Mountain Broadcast and Prairie Recorder, Number 9, September 1946
The Mountain Broadcast and Prairie Recorder was dedicated to information about folk and country songs and singers in the United States. These issues are from the collection of Floy Case, a pioneering music journalist who wrote many articles for this publication.
The Mountain Broadcast and Prairie Recorder, Number 10, October 1946
The Mountain Broadcast and Prairie Recorder was dedicated to information about folk and country songs and singers in the United States. These issues are from the collection of Floy Case, a pioneering music journalist who wrote many articles for this publication.
The Mountain Broadcast and Prairie Recorder, Number 11, November 1946
The Mountain Broadcast and Prairie Recorder was dedicated to information about folk and country songs and singers in the United States. These issues are from the collection of Floy Case, a pioneering music journalist who wrote many articles for this publication.
The Mountain Broadcast and Prairie Recorder, Number 12, December 1946
The Mountain Broadcast and Prairie Recorder was dedicated to information about folk and country songs and singers in the United States. These issues are from the collection of Floy Case, a pioneering music journalist who wrote many articles for this publication.
Nat "King" Cole Trio with Willis Conover
Willis Conover presents Nat "King" Cole and his trio in a special message broadcast to his sister, Elizabeth, on the occasion of her wedding.
Portrait of Willis Conover
Portrait of Willis Conover for a publicity photo for radio station WWDC.
Stan Kenton
Photograph of Stan Kenton, wearing a striped suit and standing in front of a dark wall with his arms raised. Imprint on the back: Capitol Records, Hollywood Master.
[Stan Kenton and company at the Schirmer opening]
Photograph of Stan Kenton and six other men at the November 1946 Schirmer opening in Brooklyn, N.Y. They are standing around a water cooler, from left to right: Murray Boykin, Walter Rivere, Lou Ferrara, John Cooney, Stan Kenton, and Al Levine.
[Stan Kenton at Schirmer opening]
Photograph of Stan Kenton surrounded by fans at the Schirmer opening in Brooklyn, N.Y. In the photograph, Kenton is signing autographs and there are others visible in the background including Murray Boykin (Brooklyn salesman), someone hesitantly identified as John Cooney (N.Y. manager), and Al Levine (Newark manager).
Stan Kenton at Schirmer opening, Brooklyn
Photograph of Stan Kenton and five otehr men at the November 1946 Schirmer opening in Brooklyn, N.Y. From left to right: Murray Boykin, Walter Rivere, Lou Ferrara, John Cooney, Stan Kenton, and Al Levine. The men are wearing suits and holding up cups in a toast.
Technic Book No. 1 for Piano
Twenty-four exercises for solo piano
Willis Conover
Photograph of Willis Conover in a publicity photo for radio station WWDC.
Willis Conover at the microphone
Photograph of Willis Conover in a publicity photo for radio station WWDC.
Willis Conover at WWDC
Photograph of Willis Conover and 3 unidentified men at radio station WWDC.
Willis Conover conducting an interview at WWDC
Photograph of Willis Conover interviewing three unidentified men.
Willis Conover: "Navy Shakes Up Big Brass"
Photograph of Willis Conover and an unidentified man in an apparent publicity photo for radio station WWDC.
Willis Conover with Duke Ellington, Billy Strayhorn, and others
Photograph of Willis Conover, Duke Ellington, Billy Strayhorn, and other band members and friends.
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