Oklahoma Musicians

Jazz history

Duke Ellington

Smithsonian archival records document the Duke Ellington collection and performance materials. A Duke Ellington Music Society itinerary independently records Oklahoma City and Tulsa engagements in October-November 1933, establishing a documented Oklahoma performance connection for the nationally important pianist and bandleader.

Oklahoma connection

The itinerary records Oklahoma City and Tulsa performances in 1933; no claim is made that Ellington was Oklahoma-born or resident.

Musical work and relationships

Pianist; bandleader; composer/arranger; Duke Ellington Orchestra.

Hall of Fame account

The Hall catalog lists Duke Ellington as a band leader and pianist inducted in 1992.

Evidence and remaining questions

Use the itinerary as performance evidence only; Smithsonian finding-aid rights statements apply to reproduced archival material.

Sources

  1. sova.si.edu/record/nmah-ac-0301
  2. tdwaw.ellingtonweb.ca/DEMS/dems-05-1_%28singlePDF%29.pdf
  3. www.okjazz.org/inductees/