Duke Ellington at the Crystal Ballroom, Fargo, N.D. Photograph Collection
Item
Identifier: Photo 467
Scope and Content
This collection consists of eight copy photographic prints of the Duke Ellington Band’s performance at the Crystal Ballroom, in Fargo, N.D., on November 7th 1940. The photos are mainly those of the performance, with shots of Duke on piano, and signing photographs. As well as the rest of his band playing drums, brass, and strings.
Dates
- November 7, 1940
Access
The collection is open under the rules and regulations of the NDSU Archives.
Copyrights
The NDSU Archives does not hold the copyright. Educational usage granted by photographer, Jack Towers.
History
The Duke Ellington band's Performance at the Crystal Ballroom, Fargo, N.D., on Thursday, November 7th, 1940. Richard Burris and Jack Towers, two amateur recording enthusiasts made a simple recording of the event that would become a very popular record of the period. Burris, after being blown away by Ellington’s performance the year prior in Sioux Falls, S.D. wrote to Ellington’s Production company, William Morris Agency to ask for their approval of the recording at next years performance at the Crystal Ballroom. William Morris acquiesced to their requests, with the provisions that Burris and Towers asked the permission of the owner of the Crystal Ballroom, as well as Ellington himself, and that the recording may not be used for commercial purposes. Moments before Ellington performed, he assented to Burris’ request, allowing for future fame of the event. While in modern terms, not amounting to more than a bootleg recording with only three microphones being used, the record gathered support, eventually winning the 22nd Grammy awards for Best Jazz Instrumental Performance, for Big Band, in 1980.
Extent
8 Photographic Prints
Language of Materials
English
Overview
This collection consists of eight copy photographic prints of the Duke Ellington Band’s performance at the Crystal Ballroom, in Fargo, N.D., on November 7th 1940.
Provenance
Donated by Jack Towers, 1998 (Acc. 2534)
Property rights
The NDSU Archives owns the property rights to this collection.
- Title
- Finding aid to the Duke Ellington at the Crystal Ballroom, Fargo, N.D. Photograph Collection
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Institute for Regional Studies Repository
Contact:
West Building N
3551 7th Avenue North
Fargo North Dakota 58102 United States
ndsu.archives@ndsu.edu
West Building N
3551 7th Avenue North
Fargo North Dakota 58102 United States
ndsu.archives@ndsu.edu