THE INTERNATIONAL DEMS BULLETIN DUKE ELLINGTON MUSIC SOCIETY 07/3 December 2007 - March 2008 FOUNDER: BENNY AASLAND HONORARY MEMBER: FATHER JOHN GARCIA GENSEL EDITOR: SJEF HOEFSMIT ASSISTED BY: ROGER BOYES

Voort 18b, 2328 Meerle, Belgium
Telephone: +32 3 315 75 83
Email: dems1@telenet.be

Newport 3Jul58

DEMS 07/3-21

See DEMS 07/1-44

In all the enthusiasm recently expressed about this album [Mosaic MCD 1014], has no one noticed the deliberate mistake made by Mosaic (except I understand it wasn't deliberate and they are embarrassed by it).
They show the trumpet section as containing Cat Anderson, Clark Terry, Shorty Baker and Ray Nance plus Cootie Williams! According to Timner, it was Francis (France) Williams who filled this role at Newport - not on the studio session - and he notes Bill Graham as a sixth reedman on the studio date. Why was Graham there - did he replace Hodges on some tracks - if so, which? Certainly not in Multicolored Blue...
Brian Priestley

Are you sure it was Francis Williams? Jimmy Maxwell told me that he subbed at the last minute at Newport in 1956, but it turned out (when we saw a picture) that it was someone else. So maybe it was him in 1958. It was definitely him one year.
David Berger

I am just repeating what Timner's 4th edition says, so you could possibly be right. I do not suppose there are many people around now who would remember for sure.
Brian Priestley

The New DESOR for 3Jul58 Newport, DE5824a-r, shows Francis Williams, Shorty Baker, Ray Nance, Clark Terry and Cat Anderson in the trumpet section.
For 21Jul58 Studio session, DE5826a-i, Francis Williams is listed as out and Bill Graham (as) is shown as "added" to the section which of course consisted of the usual 5 reed players. Thus, Graham may not have replaced anyone, but simply been added to the section sound?
Another thing, I see where Mosaic lists the session as being "Mono", but to my ears, from the original LP CS 8072, even excluding the added applause, the sound of the orchestra definitely is in stereo. Can anyone who has the Mosaic set say whether it is mono or stereo?
Bill Morton

The notes to the Mosaic explain they couldn't use the stereo masters of the studio set, because they'd had the endings (and openings) chopped up on tape to accommodate the fake applause. Therefore, they went with the mono masters, which had not been mutilated, as the only way of presenting the studio session without the added intrusions.
Brian Priestley

There can be no doubt about Francis Williams being in the band as fifth trumpeter in the 1958 Newport concerts.
1. Giovanni Volonté wrote in a letter of 31Jan93: "A word about the 18Jul58 concert: we believe, as you do, that Oscar Pettiford is present during the whole concert; on the contrary, the presence of Francis Williams is not confirmed neither in this concert, nor in the studio three days later: we maintain this soloist only on the 3Jul58 Newport concert, because Francis Williams himself claimed his presence at Newport on 3Jul58, as he told us."
2. Francis Williams is in the text of Duke's Diary by Ken Vail Volume 2 on page 122, and on page 123 clearly visible as fifth trumpet-player in a photograph of the band on stage, playing El Gato.
3. The double CD Columbia C2K-53584 has on track 1 Willis Conover introducing the musicians and mentioning in the trumpet section from left to right: Clark Terry, Shorty Baker, Cat Anderson, Francis Williams and Ray Nance.
There is something odd about the start of this double CD.
On track 2 is the full Take the "A" Train, almost a complete chorus of 28 bars, anyway longer than the 16 bars on the LPs CBS 65113 (Stereo) and Philips B 07367 L (Mono). It is strange that after that signature tune Duke thanked Mitch Miller for his announcement, causing the author of the liner-notes for the double CD (John Ephland) to observe in his notes, written in Match 1994, apparently for Down Beat: "and [Duke] operating with his tongue firmly in cheek (listen, after his being introduced, to his calling emcee Willis Conover "Mitch Miller", ....).." (page 6 right column).
What happened? Prior to the concert, which not started with Princess Blue as claimed by John Ephland (page 9 at the end of the left column,), there was a radio performance by the Ellington orchestra (including Princess Blue and Duke's Place according to the text on the backside of the double CD box) followed by the Dave Brubeck quartet. This broadcast, an audio copy of which is in the DEMS collection, starts with Mitch Miller announcing "Duke Ellington and his famous orchestra playing his theme and Newport Up." Mitch Miller said at bar 14 of the first and only chorus of Take the "A" Train something like "O.K. Duke?..Newport Up?". Duke said at bar 21 "Thank you very much, Mitch Miller..." Duke and Mitch must have used different mikes, because the recording on the double CD has Duke's word of thanks but not the announcement and the remark made by Mitch Miller. The recording of the music is identical.
Duke announced Princess Blue and after the performance of that number, the broadcast continued with Mitch Miller mentioning the title Princess Blue and announcing a certain Michael Lemon, former New York editor of Down Beat, who narrated a commercial titled "Notes on Jazz", promoting Virginia Dair Wine, red, white or pink, which was claimed to enhance your pleasure when listening to Jazz. See also DEMS 06/2-28. I believe it was the same Michael who continued after the commercial with: "For more Jazz from the festival, back to the stage and Mitch Miller." Mitch Miller made a long speech resulting in the announcement of Duke's Place. After the performance of that number Mitch announced again Michael Lemon for another "Notes on Jazz". Here the audio recording of the broadcast is interrupted. What follows is the announcement by Mitch Miller of the appearance of Dave Brubeck. This is also aborted and our tape continues with the announcement by Mitch Miller of a group of eight former Ellington sidemen, during which the first selection, East St. Louis Toodle-O is already playing. Mitch announced that number as East St. Louis and announced at the same time the following number Rockin' in Rhythm. After Rockin' in Rhythm Mitch announced another "Jazz Notes" by Michael Lemon, also skipped from our tape, continuing with the announcement of New Concerto for Cootie, after which Mitch announced Jeep Is Jumpin'. This selection is not on our tape. Our tape continues with the announcement of C-Jam Blues, not by Mitch Miller but by Rex Stewart (and not by Oscar Pettiford). At the end of C-Jam Blues, Mitch Miller announced the next one-hour broadcast, "tomorrow". During the announcements by Mitch the names were mentioned of the eight musicians: Rex Stewart, Cootie Williams, Tyree Glenn, Hilton Jefferson, Ben Webster, Billy Strayhorn, Oscar Pettiford and Sonny Greer. These names were confirmed by Willis Conover who apparently not only emceed the Ellington concert that evening but also the performance of the Ellington alumni earlier in the day. The Conover introduction of the alumni concert came with a more complete copy of their stage performance that was generously given to DEMS by Hans-Joachim Schmidt.
In the short Ellington performance (theme and two selections) used for the broadcast as well as in the recording of the concert by the Ellington alumni, from which only the theme and three selections were used for the same broadcast, the announcer was Mitch Miller. But the introduction on stage for the alumni concert and for Duke's concert later that day starting with Scratchin' the Surface (and not with Princess Blue) the MC was Willis Conover (John Ephland should have read Irving Townsend's liner-notes of the original LP album to find out about the opening number of the concert). There are several possibilities for explaining why we hear Duke thanking Mitch Miller, which he actually did during his opening Take the "A" Train for the broadcast, and why we do not hear Mitch Miller himself. The fact is that track 1 of the double CD (the introduction by Willis Conover) was recorded at the start of the whole concert with Scratchin' the Surface. The New DESOR is also wrong in placing the opening theme on track 2 of the double CD at the end of the studio recording of 21Jul58 and giving it the number 5826i. The opening theme on both my LPs is also from 3Jul and not from 21Jul58. It would not make sense for Duke to thank Mitch Miller at bar 21, and that is why on both my LPs the opening theme ends at bar 16 and applause is dubbed in. We see on the recording report of 3Jul58 "(tape from Newport Festival)" as the first selection Take the "A" Train with the hand written remark: Canc  Not used. That is not correct. The theme of the broadcast recording was used for both my LPs and for my double CD. The piece is long enough to convince me through synchronous comparison.
Another obvious error in the title list on the back of the double CD is the claim that Willis Conover introduced Mahalia Jackson. Willis introduced Frankie Laine and Frankie introduced Mahalia. Also, the claim that Just Scratchin' the Surface, Feetbone, Prima Bara Dubla and El Gato were previously unissued is wrong.
There are more errors in the liner-notes: on page 4 only four trumpet players are mentioned, and one of them is Francis "Cootie" Williams. The real Charles Melvin "Cootie" Williams had not been in the band since 1940, and he would not return to it until 1962. He did however play with the alumni on the same day at Newport 1958.
On page 6 left column John Ephland made the condescending remark about the Ellington scholars who did not know what they were talking about when they reviewed Newport 1958 [these scholars in 1958 were not aware of the fact that a great part came from the studio and John Ephland himself was not aware of the many errors he made in 1994].
All this criticism is about the liner-notes by John Ephland for the double CD. One would expect that Michael Cuscuna in the new 2007 liner-notes would make the appropriate corrections, but instead he makes a few errors of his own. Track 13 of his new single CD was previously issued on LP CBS 88653 in 1984 and on CD Giants of Jazz 53066 in 1990. The confusion about the subtitles of Multicolored Blue continues. Multicolored Blue is the same as Violet Blue and was composed by Billy Strayhorn. It is a 12 bar blues. Ultra Blue is the same as Ultra Violet and the same as How Blue Can You Get. It was composed by Jimmy Hamilton and has the 32 bar structure AABA. It should not be confused with How Blue Can You Get, the 12 bar blues composed by Leonard Feather and recorded with Chubby Kemp on 21Sep50 (see DEMS 03/1-28, p1255).
For the release itself, I have only the greatest praise. It is a real pleasure to hear the music without the stupid applause even if that music is in Mono.
To answer the second question at the start of this debate, how do we know that Bill Graham was in the studio on 21Jul58? Well William H. Graham is mentioned as sixth saxophone player on the recording report of the American Federation of Musicians for the session on 21Jul58 which ran from 2:30 until 6:30 and resulted in the recording of 8 selections, numbered from CO 61280 until and including CO 61287.
It was a good idea to look in Timner's fourth edition. The personnel listings of 3 and 21Jul58 are now correct. Only the one of 18Jul is wrong. There is no proof of Bill Graham playing in Stoney Brook that day. I bet that this will be corrected in the fifth edition to come (see DEMS 07/2-3), and that Oscar Pettiford will be shown as taking part in that whole concert.
Sjef Hoefsmit

Mosaic Capitol 5 CD box out of print

DEMS 07/3-22

See DEMS 06/3-31

Your tailpiece to the details of titles released on Definitive's 4 CD set of Capitols regretted that 9 had been omitted since they were "unique and unissued". In fact, the first 3 listed appear on Chronological Classics (1953) and the next 3 on (1953 vol 2). Presumably, when they get to 1954 CC will issue Discontented Blues and Neatwork will issue the alternate Harlem Air Shaft.
Ron Malings

You are right, but in our defence we must say that the 1953 vol 2 Chronological Classics had not yet come out at the time of writing. Also, we did not say that all, but that almost all, the missing selections were unique and unissued. We admit that we overlooked CC 1953 vol 1 which was not announced until the catalogue of Worlds Records of Nov06. See in this Bulletin 07/3-40/41/42.
DEMS

Cotton Club Stomp of 22Apr30

DEMS 07/3-23

May I add a tailpiece: this recording appeared as Keep Your Temper on Hot'n Sweet CD 152242. That was issued in 1993 and presumably the renaming followed the announcement in DEMS Bulletin 83/3-3. May I suggest, in addition, that this recording should simply be known as Cotton Club Stomp No. 2 ? It doesn't seem to be any other tune!
Ron Malings.

A similar remark was made by Bo Sherman in DEMS Bulletin 83/4-1. He wrote:
"There are a few errors. I have listened to four different recordings:
Blue Rhythm Orchestra (c 29oct25, Clarence Williams(!), VJM VLP-5);
Gulf Coast 7, (5Nov25, Sound of Harlem, Col. C3L-33);
Gulf Coast 7, Original Jazz Hounds (VJM VLP-45);
Willie "The Lion" Smith - Jo Jones (Jazz Odyssey 006) and
Ralph Sutton (Chez Jazz CJ-107).
It is not the same composition as the Brunswick version Cotton Club Stomp (22Apr30). Both are based on the same short melodic figure ("riff") in variations, but the melodic structure is different. The Cotton Club Stomp version includes 32 bars and "stick" release, contrary to Keep Your Temper which has 32 bars without a bridge. There are more differences.
The Brunswick 6Jun39 Cotton Club Stomp version is the same composition as the Victor 12Apr29 ("A Nite at the Cotton Club") and 3May29 versions. You may compare the Freddie Jenkins chorus in the Victor versions against the melody presentation in the later 1939 version."

The oldest mention of the title Cotton Club Stomp that we have been able to trace in discographies was Charles Delaunay (1948). After Bo Sherman's contribution, the 22Apr30 recording was named as "Unknown Title" or it was made clear in a note that this was a different composition.
The wrong title Keep Your Temper originates from an article by Jacques Lubin in "Point du Jazz" No 18 (Nov82)
DEMS

Credits for Cotton Club Stomp

DEMS 07/3-24

See DEMS 07/1-15

Your suggestion that Benny looked on the wrong line and took the credits from Shout 'Em, Aunt Tillie. I do not believe he consulted the ASCAP listing but that he (as I do for my forthcoming The Standard Groove Index), looked at the credits on the record labels. There are even three differentcredits for Cotton Club Stomp on various labels.
On the labels on my 78 rpm records with the 3May29 recording I found 'Rodgers-Carney-Ellington', which is evidently an error and should read 'Hodges-Carney-Ellington'.
On the labels on my 78 rpm records with the 22Apr30 recording I found (as Benny did) the credits 'Mills-Ellington'. Benny changed the sequence into 'Ellington-Mills' and also used these credits for the 3May29 recording. In the meantime we all know that the recordings of 3May29 and 22Apr30 are different compositions. I suggest that the New DESOR on page 811 accepts these credits for Cotton Club Stomp #.
On the labels on my 78 rpm records with the 6Jun39 recording I found (as Benny did) 'Ellington-Hodges-Mills'. This recording is again the same composition as the one from 3May29.
Jerry Valburn

The Greek Theatre, Los Angeles

DEMS 07/3-25

According to the liner notes to Status DSTS1013 all titles where recorded on September 23, 1966. Massagli lists titles on both September 23 & 24, 1966. Is Status wrong?
Tom Lord

Yes, Status is wrong, the New DESOR is right. For the last time we will re-print a part of a previous DEMS Bulletin, since all the Bulletins are now accessible on the Internet (see DEMS 07/3-6)
This is what was published in DEMS Bulletin 97/1-4:
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - -
STATUS RECORDS DSTS 1013 (CD).
Duke & Ella From the Greek Theatre
Los Angeles, 23Sep66
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - -

See DEMS 95/2-4 middle right column. Here is more information about this new CD:
In Klaus Stratemann's book, we see that Duke and Ella played at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles from 19Sep until and including 25Sep66. They played 7 performances, which means one on each day. There is only one recording known, made during this week. That is the one, documented in DESOR 1049 and claimed to be from 24Sep66.
It looks as if we have a totally "fresh" recording on this CD, since the date, mentioned in the liner-notes is 23Sep66.
That is not totally true. And if we look in the 4th edition of Timner's ELLINGTONIA it also seems to be not totally true that all the recordings are previously unissued.
Some of the recordings on the CD are identical with the portable recording of 24Sep66 as described in [the old] DESOR 1049. Some other recordings are different. It is impossible to be certain about the correct allocation of each selection on the different possible dates. We have opted for the following distribution of the selections:

Greek Theatre, Los Angeles, 23Sep66
Ella's portion:
Sweet Georgia Brown               S
Stardust                          S
Jazz Samba                        S
How Long Has This Been Going On?  S
St. Louis Blues                   S
Misty                             S
Mack The Knife                    S
               Tap Dancer's Blues S
               Tap Dancer's Blues S
                      Cotton Tail S
Things Ain't What They Used To Be S

Greek Theatre, Los Angeles, 24Sep66
             % Take the "A" Train S
               Take the "A" Train S
                        Soul Call S
            In a Sentimental Mood S
                 The Prowling Cat S
          La Plus Belle Africaine S %pr
       The Old Circus Train Blues S  pr
                  Tulip or Turnip       ni
     David Danced Before the Lord       ni
                 Honeysuckle Rose       ni
                     I Got It Bad       ni
Things Ain't What They Used To Be       ni
                        Monologue       ni
Things Ain't What They Used To Be       ni
Ella's portion:
I'm Just a Lucky So and So          %pr    J
Moment of Truth                      pr    J
Satin Doll                              ni
These Boots Are for Walking          pr    J  T
These Boots Are for Walking          pr       T
Something To Live For                   ni
Let's Do It                             ni
Sweet Georgia Brown                     ni
Stardust                             pr    J
So Danco Samba                          ni
How Long Has This Been Going On?        ni
Lullaby of Birdland                     ni
I Got a Guy                             ni
Mack the Knife                          ni
               Tap Dancer's Blues       ni
                      Cotton Tail       ni
Sources:
 S = Status DSTS 1013 CD
pr = portable recorded and also issued
ni = portable recorded, but not issued
 J = In Jepsen claimed to be issued on Salle Records,
     on Stateside SE 1044 and
     on Barclay BEP (unreadable number).
 T = In Timner's 4th ed. claimed to be issued by Columbia.

Art Pilkington's Tapes

DEMS 07/3-26

From the Toronto Newsletter of Sep07:
Ted Pilkington, son of the late Art Pilkington, advises that he is in the possession of several hundred tapes, featuring Ellington and numerous other groups. He has kept a large collection for himself but would like to find a good home for the remainder. Ted resides in Brampton and can be contacted at 905-845-3723 or on the web at tpilkington@sympatico.ca
DEMS

Check and Double Check

DEMS 07/3-27

Another article in the Toronto Newsletter is worth reprinting in DEMS Bulletin. It concerns the rumour that there are two different versions of the film "Check and Double Check" in existence. It is too important for us collectors not to be included in DEMS Bulletin.
"When the movie, "Check and Double Check", was released in 1930, it was rumoured that two differing prints had been processed - one for the North American market: the other for foreign language markets. The stars of the show were radio actors who portrayed Amos and Andy, as well as the Ellington Orchestra.
Rich Correll, son of Charles Correll who created the role of Andrew Brown, is funding the film's restoration, using the Library of Congress 35 mm nitrate version. However it seems the Library of Congress holds two nitrate versions with significant differences. The well known North American version does not feature the Orchestra playing Ring dem Bells, while the alternate does. The presentation of Old Man Blues differs from nitrate to nitrate. Moreover a comparison of prints on flatbeds indicates that camera set ups, angles, framing, and the length of given scenes, appear to differ significantly from print to print.
Restoration work is scheduled to be completed sometime this month [September]. If Correll decides to restore both prints, "Check and Double Check" would make an interesting double feature.

We can add that in his comments on the commercial recording of Ring dem Bells, played during the Social Security broadcast #8, Duke told that this piece was written for the picture. Sonny Greer was supposed to sing in Three Little Words, but he was reluctant to do so and they had to ask Bing Crosby. Sonny was featured in Ring dem Bells.
DEMS

NEW MOSAIC RECORDS WEBSITE

DEMS 07/3-28

We started Mosaic Records in Charlie Lourie's Santa Monica apartment right after I'd moved back to New York. His kitchen table was the administrative office. Inventory was stacked along the living room wall. In his little 150 or so square feet den, we'd collate sets and pack whatfew orders we had by day and the couch would open out into my bed at night. Every couple of days we'd load Charlie's car and drive to the back of the Santa Monica post office and run through all the packages. Imagine our surprise and delight when we found out, after a few months, that UPS would actually pick them up from us.
Ten years ago, we didn't even have a website. Now the internet is an integral part of most people's lives. Just a few days ago, I handed my 21-year-old son a telephone book to look up a number and he looked at me like I was a Martian and said, "That's OK. I'll Google it. Thanks."
This week we have introduced a newly designed Mosaic Records website. Not only is the look different, but there is new information such as Sample Session Notes for each set, features and ways to search for sets and artists that we hope satisfy both the neophyte and the collector.
We have plans for a lot more as well but, for me, a well-researched discography and customer reviews will remain the core of any site that holds the Mosaic name. Thank you to all who have taken the time to post your thoughts on our releases.
Michael Cuscuna, 8oct07
http://www.mosaicrecords.com

We invite you to read The Mosaic Records Story <http://e.emimusicna.com/a/hBHCk91AUO35QBc7GWlAVN4uOxN/a3>http://www.mosaicrecords.com/story.asp which was written in 1984 and we discovered at the bottom of a filing cabinet a few months ago.
(Please note do not reply to this email as it cannot be delivered.
You may e-mail us at info@mosaicrecords.com)
All of us at Mosaic Records
www.mosaicrecords.com
www.truebluemusic.com
Email: info@mosaicrecords.com
35 Melrose Place
Stamford, CT 06902
203-327-7111

Maybe I Should Change My Ways

DEMS 07/3-29

I just played what I have of the 10/6/1947 Duke Ellington session and noticed that the Duke Ellington Panorama Sessionography (www.depanorama.net/1940s3.htm) does not list the vocalist on the first version of Change My Ways (it's Chester Crumpler) and Billy Strayhorn's name is spelled "Bily".
Thanks for the otherwise fantastic resource!
Lawrence Hancock

Both takes of Maybe I Should Change My Ways, recorded on 6oct47 (HCO2665-2) are instrumentals. No vocalist. Both takes have Ray Nance on violin.
Both takes recorded on 1oct47 (HCO2665-1) have Ray Nance on trumpet.
The recordings with Chester Crumpler were made on 14Aug47. No matrix-number is known. The recording was released on the Up to Date LP 2002. It is doubtful if Billy Strayhorn played the piano as sometimes is suggested. No piano can be heard in this recording.
DEMS

Ella's version of I'm Beginning To See the Light

DEMS 07/3-30

I have a copy of a Today bc (DE 6441). 6441 c, I'm Beginning To See the Light, does not sound like Duke, may I have your opinion?
Lance Travis

I have listened to the recording. It is in my opinion the Ellington Orchestra, but the arrangement was not made by Duke or Billy, but by someone else and especially for Ella. After I'm Beginning To See the Light Hugh Downs suggested that Ella should ad-lib sing Satin Doll, which was apparently not scheduled on the programme. During that discussion Duke said: "We don't have Ella's arrangement and Ella doesn't have the words". This indicates that she did bring her own arrangement for I'm Beginning To See the Light, which was scheduled for the programme.
Sjef Hoefsmit

And Russia Is Her Name

DEMS 07/3-31

Does anyone know anything about And Russia Is Her Name?
I've never heard of this, but it appears to be listed in DESOR as well as Timner. 11Jul43 (DE4332c, issued on Hu HC-6002, Duke Ellington at the Hurricane Club - Volume 2) and 21Aug43 (DE4339b, unissued).
I note that there appear to be entries for the titles Russian Lullaby and Russian Market listed in the finding aid of the Smithsonian's Ellington collection, but nothing under And Russia Is Her Name. It's entirely possibly that one of those titles does correspond to And Russia Is Her Name.
Has anybody got copies of the recordings DE4332c and DE4339b?
I would be happy to ask for copies of any manuscripts from the Smithsonian and compare them if I had access to copies of the recordings.
Michael Kilpatrick, 17Sep07

I can send you copies of the recordings if you still need them. Let me know.
Sjef Hoefsmit

It is also on a Dooji CD.
1943 July 11 NYC DUKE ELLINGTON AND HIS ORCHESTRA
NBC Broadcast "Pastel Period" from Hurricane Restaurant.
DEMS has this, of course
Arne Neegaard, 18Sep07

DEMS doesn't have it. DEMS asked and obtained permission to publish the contents of this CD, but like everybody else, we are still waiting for the release.
DEMS, 18Sep07

Thanks very much for the offer but Carl Hällström has already offered to send a CD-R of his intended DE-5 issue and this will have one of those recordings of "Russia".
Carl said he had prepared the master for the CD issue of DE-5 but he didn't go ahead with the issue because he didn't get enough orders to warrant the cost of printing the CDs professionally. However, I think he should have offered to burn CD-Rs for those who had already paid him years ago. I don't mind a CD-R instead of a properly printed CD, it's good enough!
If I don't get the CD from Carl I'll let you know.
I really wish someone could issue more of these rare recordings on CD, as I would love to hear a lot more of the material from the Hurricane and Sherman Hotel in the early 1940s. It was a pleasure to hear the things you copied onto a cassette for me a year or two ago, and there is so much more, isn't there?
Michael Kilpatrick, 22Sep07

I have not (yet) made CDs for DEMS members of the Hurricane and/or Sherman broadcasts, but I made one of a few Ciro broadcasts from August 1947 (see DEMS 05/2-13). If your address is still the same, I will be happy to send you a copy.
Sjef Hoefsmit, 30oct07

Angèle Durand,
another mysterious Ellingtonian

DEMS 07/3-32

In Paris war 1950 dem amerikanischen Bandleader Duke Ellington die Sängerin Kay Davis 'abhanden' gekommen. Kurz entschlossen engagiert der Duke die damals 24jährige Angèle für ein Gastspiel in Belgien. Das Konzert am 10. April 1950 in Brüssel wird ein großer Erfolg für alle, Angèle eingeschlossen. "Ich melde mich wieder" verspricht Ellington beim Abschied. Er hält Wort. Vier Wochen später kommt ein Telegramm ... aus Paris. Es enthält das verlockende Angebot, sechs Wochen lang zusammen mit der weltbekannten Band durch Europa zu touren.
Als Angèle selbstverständlich annimmt, ahnt sie noch nicht, dass sie bei dieser Tournèe zum ersten Mal  einem Herrn begegnen wird, der später zu den Schlüsselfiguren der deutschen Schallplattenindustrie gehören sollte. Nach Konzerten in Frankreich, den Niederlanden, der Schweiz und Italien sowie Großbritannien stellt das Schicksal in Hamburg die Weichen: Bei der kleinen Feier nach dem Konzert in der Musikhalle lernt sie Nils Nobach in der "Er-und-Sie"-Bar kennen.

The American bandleader Duke Ellington lost in Paris in 1950 the singer Kay Davis. Duke decided quickly to contract the 24 year old Angèle for a guest appearance in Belgium. The concert on 10Apr50 in Brussels was a great success for everybody, including Angèle. "I'll call you" promised Duke when they split. He kept his word. Four weeks later a telegram from Paris arrived. It contained the tempting offer to join the world-renowned band for six weeks during the European tour.
When Angèle naturally accepted she did not anticipate that during this tour she would meet for the first time a gentleman who would later be numbered among the key people of the German record industry. After concerts in France, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Italy, as well in Great Britain, fate took a hand in Hamburg: at a small party in the "Er-und-Sie" bar after the concert in the Musikhalle she met Nils Nobach.
This unbelievable story was found in the liner-notes of a CD, released by Bear Family (BCD 15 858), titled "Ja, ich bin die tolle Frau" with 29 selections, recorded between 1954 and 1961.
Georges Debroe sent this to DEMS. He found it in an announcement of her demise. She died in Augsburg on 23Dec01. She was born as Angèle Caroline De Geest in Antwerp on 23oct25.
To say the least, there are many question-marks concerning this story. There was no concert in Brussels on 10Apr50. The band played at the Belgian coast in Knokke on that date. If the telegram arrived four weeks later from Paris, it must have taken quite a while. Duke was in Paris not later than 16Apr. The band did not go to Great Britain during this tour. Neither in the recordings we now have (happily) from Zürich, nor in those from Hamburg is there any indication of Angéle's participation.
We have decided not to include her in our chapter with obituaries of deceased Ellingtonians, not only because there were no recordings which she made with Ellington, but mainly because we cannot believe a word of this story. We consider it possible that Duke met her in Paris, although we do not recognise her on the picture in Ken Vail's first volume on page 367.
She looked pretty enough on the pictures accompanying the article in "das freie Musikforum" to attract Duke's attention.
DEMS

"African Tarantella"

DEMS 07/3-33

See DEMS 07/2-32

This is a brief note of thanks for the latest bulletin. I very much appreciate receiving it [in hard copy]. If I am in arrears in dues, please advise me!
May I inject a note of disagreement? I have the Stefon Harris CD. Over many years I've enjoyed the work of Red Norvo, Lionel Hampton and Tyree Glenn. But in all candour, I found it difficult to listen to the Harris CD. Perhaps it's just my advancing years, but nevertheless my comment would be "it don't mean a thing if it ain't...."
I do collect the Ellingtonia CDs, and continue to enjoy them, so Duke's music does live on!
Irv Jacobs

American Hot Wax 78 rpm

DEMS 07/3-34

I have recently come across a what I deem a rare 78rpm record. The label is "AMERICAN HOT WAX". The configuration of the label implies that it was made for the Juke Box market.
On one side (#8) is Take the "A" Train by Duke Ellington. On the flip side (#7) is In the Still of the Night by The Five Satins.
"A Train" is a live recording by the Ellington Orchestra with a fairly long introduction by Duke and then followed by a solo by Ray Nance. I am unable to tell from which date this recording was made. Have you possibly any knowledge about this record ?
Bo Haufman

I can only confirm its existence, but I have never seen a copy. According to Jerry Valburn's files (which I was allowedto consult) your statements are correct. I can only add that the record was made in England, that it is one of a series of 15 vinyl records pressed for Juke Box use and that it is not a master pressing but a copy. Jerry does not have details of the recording other than: unidentified broadcast or concert performance. If you send me an audio copy I will be happy to identify the recording.
Sjef Hoefsmit

Included is a tape with Take the "A" Train from the 78rpm American Hot Wax and a photocopy of the label. I am very interested to learn from which date this recording is emanating. I can find no description in the New DESOR that fits.
Bo Haufman

The recording of Take the "A" Train is from Newport 7Jul56. It is documented in the New DESOR under number 5613-d which is (as DESOR says) the same as 5407-m. Check it. The description is flawless. The arrangement of this number was played for quite a long period until the end of 1961.
Sjef Hoefsmit