ELLINGTON, Duke.

Description

Odeon, Leeds February 1964 concert flyer 

Original first printing concert flyer advertising Duke Ellington and His Orchestra at the Odeon in Leeds [England] on Friday, 28th February, 1964, presented by Harold Davison and Norman Granz. The orchestra for the European tour featured Cat Anderson, Herbie Jones, Rolf Erickson, and Cootie Williams (trumpets); Lawrence Brown, Buster Cooper, and Chuck Connors (trombones); Johnny Hodges, Paul Gonsalves, Jimmy Hamilton, Russell Procope, and Harry Carney (saxophones and clarinets); Sam Woodyard (drums) and Ernie Shephard (bass). The tour will be remembered for tenor saxophonist Paul Gonsalves falling ill just prior to the tour’s opening concert at the Royal Festival Hall on 15th February. Fortunately, someone spotted British saxophonist Tubby Hayes, who had come to hear the Ellington band. Hayes was asked to sit in for the absent Gonsalves. Hayes quickly accepted and a call was placed to Ronnie Scott’s club to have someone cab over with Hayes’s horn. In Ken Vail’s book, “Duke’s Diary”, Hayes recalls what happened next: “It was tremendous. I felt as if I was dreaming. Some of the parts were pretty difficult, such as ‘Harlem’, with its change of tempo. There weren’t any charts for a couple of things, so those I didn’t know I didn’t play. The second time through I knew what was coming better, so I was able to watch Duke more. Playing in that section was wonderful. The quality of sound was quite frightening at times.” At the end of each of the two performances that evening, the audience gave the band and Hayes a standing ovation. The Ellington Orchestra was especially grateful to Hayes. A few days later, Gonsalves dropped by Ronnie Scott’s to thank Hayes. One thing led to the next, and the two saxophonists eventually recorded two albums together, Just Friends (1964) and Change of Setting (1967).

The flyer measures 14.5 x 24.2 cm and is beautifully printed in blue and black inks on thin, coated paper stock. Complete with the original postal booking form still intact. In excellent unfolded and unmarked condition. Feel free to email us with any questions you may have concerning this item. Additional images of the flyer available on request.