DUKE ELLINGTON GIANTS.

Description

Sportpalast, Berlin March 1961 concert poster (Harald A. Müller)

Original first printing concert poster advertising the Duke Ellington Giants at the Sportpalast in Berlin [Germany] on Wednesday, 22nd March, 1961, presented by Norman Granz in cooperation with Wolfgang Jänicke. When Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn in March 1961 returned to Paris to work on the music for the film Paris Blues, members of the Ellington orchestra were sent on vacation. During this hiatus, Norman Granz organized a 14-day European tour of a septet of Ellington sidemen with the addition of pianist Al Williams, directed by Johnny Hodges. Depending on where they played, they were billed as “The Duke Elligton Giants”, “The Duke Ellington All Stars”, or “The Ellington Jazz Greats”. Besides Hodges, the other Ellingtonians were Lawrence Brown, Ray Nance, Harry Carney, James Woode, and Sam Woodyard. The poster features artwork by German artist Harald A. Müller, with his imprint to the center of the right side border. Müller was a contempory of Günther Kieser, and designed several posters for Berlin impresario Wolfgang Jänicke.

The poster measures 83.8 x 58.8 cm (approx. 33″ by 23.1″ inches) and is beautifully printed in blue and black inks on thin, smooth-finish uncoated paper stock. A few tiny rips to the lower left side border, else in near excellent unfolded condition. Feel free to email us with any questions you may have concerning this item. Additional images of the poster available on request.