Duke Ellington at the Mosque

Time Period
1925 to Today
Topics
Black History
Entertainment
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ML410.E44.D86.1968.Cover_.jpg

Program, Duke Ellington Sacred Music Concert, Richmond, 1968 (VMHC ML410.E44.D86.1968)

Late in his career, jazz great Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington (1899–1974) composed three "Sacred Concerts," longer works made up of vocal and instrumental pieces stemming from a religious theme. First performed at Grace (Episcopal) Cathedral in San Francisco in 1965, Ellington went on to reprise the concerts in 1968, and again in 1973. During the 1968 series, Ellington performed in Richmond at what was then known as the Mosque Auditorium (now, the Landmark Theater) on 8 November, accompanied by the choir of the Fifth Street Baptist Church. The Library of the Virginia Historical Society has several items related to the event.

Ellington merged components of jazz, blues, gospel, classical music, and choral expression in the arrangements, which were performed by his jazz orchestra and a full chorus. Setting Christian ideals to a varied score allowed Ellington's devout beliefs to come to the fore in both the music and in the subsequent publicity, as he openly discussed his earnest intentions with a somewhat skeptical press. It is perhaps unsurprising that in the tumultuous year of 1968 some critics found Ellington's religious direction to be either disingenuous or a bald advertisement for organized religion.

But Ellington insisted otherwise: "This music is the most important thing I’ve ever done or am ever likely to do. This is personal, not career. Now I can say out loud to all the world what I've been saying to myself for years on my knees."

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Program, Duke Ellington Sacred Music Concert, Richmond, 1968
Program, Duke Ellington Sacred Music Concert, Richmond, 1968 [page 2]
Page two of the program included autographs of many of the soloists. (VHS call number: ML410 E44 D86 1968)
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Program, Duke Ellington Sacred Music Concert, Richmond, 1968
Program, Duke Ellington Sacred Music Concert, Richmond, 1968
The Progressive Matrons of the Fifth Street Baptist Church sponsored the Duke Ellington Sacred Concert in Richmond in 1968. The handwritten notation relates that "5th St. Church Choir will accompaniment"; Fifth Street Baptist Church remains active in Richmond today. (VHS call number: Broadside 1968: 4)
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Duke Ellington Sacred Music Broadside, 1968
Duke Ellington Sacred Music Broadside, 1968
More slickly produced, this broadside includes a photograph of Duke Ellington. Reflecting the broad appeal of the performance, tickets were to be sold in predominantly African American Jackson Ward at Barky's Records and Anderson's Grill, but also at the white-owned department stores Thalhimers and Miller & Rhoads. (VHS call number: Broadside 1968: 7)
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Press Kit, Duke Ellington Sacred Concert series, 1968
Press Kit, Duke Ellington Sacred Concert series, 1968
By 1968, Duke Ellington's skills as a promoter were well-honed. This press kit detailed the myriad steps that local sponsors should take to ensure that the concert received adequate publicity and attendance. Ellington advised that sponsors should get in touch with local disc jockeys, "call all newscasters on TV and radio," and "contact the most important person in your area to arrange for a photograph of him buying the first pair of tickets." (VHS call number: ML410 E44 D87 1968)