ELLINGTON, Duke.

Description

Teatro Sistina, Rome February 1967 concert poster (Anon.)

Original first printing concert poster advertising American pianist and composer Duke Ellington at the Teatro Sistina in Rome [Italy] on Wednesday, 22nd February, 1967, presented by Norman Granz. Ellington was touring Europe with an orchestra that consisted of Johnny Hodges, Jimmy Hamilton, Paul Gonsalves, Harry Carney, Russell Procope (saxes); Chuck Connors, Buster Cooper, Lawrence Brown (trombones); Cat Anderson, Cootie Williams, Mercer Ellington, Herbie Jones (trumpets); John Lamb (bass), and Rufus Jones (drums). The concert in Rome was part of lengthy European tour commencing at the Teatro Lirico in Milan on 15th January and ending at the Théâtre Des Champs Elysée in Paris on 10th March, 1967. Not long after returning to the States, Elligton was hit with the news that his friend and long-time collaborator Billy Strayhorn had finally succumbed to esophageal cancer on 31st May. In August Ellington went into the studio with producers Steve Backer and Brad McCuen to record … And His Mother Called Him Bill — Ellington’s tribute to Strayhdorn. Featuring Strayhorn’s arrangements and compositions, it includes well-known compositions as well as unrecorded music. While in the hospital Strayhorn had submitted his final composition, “Blood Count”, to Ellington, which was used as the third track on the album. Ellington chose the songs to demonstrate Strayhorn’s versatility and range, as well as to pay homage to the qualities that he most admired in his late writing partner. The last track of the album is a spontaneous solo version of “Lotus Blossom” performed by Ellington, who sat at the piano and played for his friend while the band (who can be heard in the background) packed up after the formal end of the recording session. Released on Bluebird Records in 1968 ... And His Mother Called Him Bill won the Grammy Award for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album in 1969.

Printed by Arti Grafiche, Roma, with the printer’s imprint to the bottom right corner. The poster measures 32.2 x 69.7 cm (approx. 12.7 by 27.4 inches) and is printed in red, blue and black inks on thin, matte-coated paper stock (coated on front only). Folded thrice with a faint diagonal crease to the top right corner and light overall surface handling wear, else in remarkably near excellent condition. Feel free to email us with any questions you may have regarding this item. Additional images of the poster available on request.