Ellington, Mercer Kennedy, 1919-1996 (musician) Search this
Strayhorn, Billy (William Thomas), 1915-1967 Search this
Collector:
National Museum of American History (U.S.). Division of Musical History Search this
Extent:
400 Cubic feet
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Phonograph records
Papers
Photographic prints
Posters
Sound recordings
Scrapbooks
Music
Clippings
Awards
Audiotapes
Place:
New York (N.Y.) -- 20th century
Harlem (New York, N.Y.) -- 20th century
Washington (D.C.) -- 20th century
Date:
1903 - 1989
Summary:
The collection documents Duke Ellington's career primarily through orchestrations (scores and parts), music manuscripts, lead sheets, transcriptions, and sheet music. It also includes concert posters, concert programs, television, radio, motion picture and musical theater scripts, business records, correspondence, awards, as well as audiotapes, audiodiscs, photographs, tour itineraries, newspaper clippings, magazines, caricatures, paintings, and scrapbooks.
Scope and Contents:
Dating approximately from the time Duke Ellington permanently moved to New York City in 1923 to the time the material was transferred to the Smithsonian Institution in 1988, the bulk of the material in the Duke Ellington Collection is dated from 1934-1974 and comprises sound recordings, original music manuscripts and published sheet music, hand-written notes, correspondence, business records, photographs, scrapbooks, news clippings, concert programs, posters, pamphlets, books and other ephemera. These materials document Ellington's contributions as composer, musician, orchestra leader, and an ambassador of American music and culture abroad. In addition, the materials paint a picture of the life of a big band maintained for fifty years and open a unique window through which to view an evolving American society.
The approximate four hundred cubic feet of archival materials have been processed and organized into sixteen series arranged by type of material. Several of the series have been divided into subseries allowing additional organization to describe the content of the material. For example, Series 6, Sound Recordings, is divided into four subseries: Radio and Television Interviews, Concert Performances, Studio Dates and Non-Ellington Recordings. Each series has its own scope and content note describing the material and arrangement (for example; Series 10, Magazines and Newspaper Articles, is organized into two groups, foreign and domestic, and arranged chronologically within each group). A container list provides folder titles and box numbers.
The bulk of the material is located in Series 1, Music Manuscripts, and consists of compositions and arrangements by Duke Ellington, Billy Strayhorn and other composers. Series 6, Sound Recordings also provides a record of the performance of many of these compositions. The materials in Series 2, Performances and Programs, Series 3, Business Records, Series 8, Scrapbooks, Series 9, Newspaper Clippings, Series 11, Publicity and Series 12, Posters provide documentation of specific performances by Duke Ellington and His Orchestra. Ellington was a spontaneous and prolific composer as evidenced by music, lyrical thoughts, and themes for extended works and plays captured on letterhead stationery in Series 3, Business Records, in the margin notes of individual books and pamphlets in Series 14, Religious Materials and Series 15, Books, and in the hand-written notes in Series 5, Personal Correspondence and Notes.
During its fifty-year lifespan, Duke Ellington and His Orchestra were billed under various names including The Washingtonians, The Harlem Footwarmers and The Jungle Band. The soloists were informally called "the band", and Series 3 includes salary statements, IOU's, receipts and ephemera relating to individual band members. Series 1, Music Manuscripts contains the soloists' parts and includes "band books" of several soloists (for example; Harry Carney and Johnny Hodges) and numerous music manuscripts of Billy Strayhorn. The changing role of Strayhorn from arranger hired in 1938 to Ellington's main collaborator and composer of many well-known titles for Duke Ellington and His Orchestra including "Take The A' Train" and "Satin Doll" can be traced in these music manuscripts. Series 7, Photographs and Series 2, Performances and Programs contain many images of the band members and Strayhorn. This Collection also documents the business history of Duke Ellington and His Orchestra. Series 3, Business Records contains correspondence on letterhead stationery and Series 11, Publicity contains promotional material from the various booking agencies, professional companies, and public relations firms that managed the Orchestra.
The materials in the Duke Ellington Collection provide insight into public and institutional attitudes towards African Americans in mid-twentieth-century America. The business records in Series 3 beginning in 1938 and published sheet music in Series 1 depict Duke Ellington's progression from an African-American musician who needed "legitimization" by a white publisher, Irving Mills, to a businessmen who established his own companies including Tempo Music and Duke Ellington, Incorporated to control his copyright and financial affairs. Programs from the segregated Cotton Club in Series 2, Performances And Programs and contracts with no-segregation clauses in Series 3: Business Records further illustrate racial policies and practices in this time period. The public shift in perception of Duke Ellington from a leader of an exotic "Jungle Band" in the 1930s to a recipient of the Congressional Medal Of Freedom in 1970 is evidenced in Series 2, Performances And Programs, Series 12, Posters, Series 7, Photographs and Series 13, Awards. Reviews and articles reflecting Ellington's evolving status are also documented in Series 8, Newspaper Clippings, Series 9, Scrapbooks, Series 10, Newspaper and Magazine Articles.
The materials in the Duke Ellington Collection reflect rapid technological changes in American society from 1923-1982. Sound recordings in Series 6 range from 78 phonograph records of three minutes duration manufactured for play on Victrolas in monaural sound to long-playing (LP) phonograph records produced for stereo record players. Television scripts in Series 4, programs in Series 2 and music manuscripts (for example, Drum Is A Woman) in Series 1 demonstrate how the development of television as a means of mass communication spread the Orchestra's sound to a wider audience. The availability of commercial air travel enabled the Ellington Orchestra to extend their international performances from Europe to other continents including tours to Asia, Africa, South America and Australia and archival material from these tours is included in every series.
Series 4, Scripts and Transcripts and Series 6, Audio Recordings contain scripts and radio performances promoting the sale of United States War bonds during World War II, and Series 7, Photographs includes many images of Duke Ellington and His Orchestra's performances for military personnel revealing the impact of historic events on Duke Ellington and His Orchestra. Series 2: Programs and Performances, Series 9, Newspaper clippings and Series 8, Scrapbooks document the 1963 Far East tour aborted as a result of President John F. Kennedy's assassination.
The Duke Ellington Collection contains works by numerous twentieth-century music, literature, and art luminaries. Series 1, Music Manuscripts contains original music manuscripts of William Grant Still, Eubie Blake, Mary Lou Williams, and others. Series 4, Scripts and Transcripts contains a play by Langston Hughes, and Series 12, Posters contains many original artworks.
Arrangement:
Series 1: Music Manuscripts, circa 1930-1981, undated
Series 2: Performances and Programs, 1933-1973, undated
Series 3: Business Records, 1938-1988
Series 4: Scripts and Transcripts, 1937-1970
Series 5: Personal Correspondence and Notes, 1941-1974, undated
Series 6: Sound Recordings, 1927-1974
Series 7: Photographs, 1924-1972, undated
Series 8: Scrapbooks, 1931-1973
Series 9: Newspaper Clippings, 1939-1973, undated
Series 10: Magazine Articles and Newspaper Clippings, 1940-1974
Series 11: Publicity, 1935-1988
Series 12: Posters and Oversize Graphics, 1933-1989, undated
Series 13: Awards, 1939-1982
Series 14: Religious Material, 1928-1974
Series 15: Books, 1903-1980
Series 16: Miscellaneous, 1940-1974
Biographical / Historical:
A native of Washington, DC, Edward Kennedy Ellington was born on April 29, 1899. Edward was raised in a middle-class home in the Northwest section of Washington described by his sister Ruth--younger by sixteen years--as a "house full of love." Ellington himself wrote that his father J.E. (James Edward) raised his family "as though he were a millionaire" but Edward was especially devoted to his mother, Daisy Kennedy Ellington. In 1969, thirty-four years after his mother's death, Ellington accepted the Presidential Medal of Freedom with these words, "There is nowhere else I would rather be tonight but in my mother's arms." Both his parents played the piano and Ellington began piano lessons at the age of seven, but like many boys he was easily distracted by baseball.
In his early teens, Ellington sneaked into Washington clubs and performance halls where he was exposed to ragtime musicians, including James P. Johnson, and where he met people from all walks of life. He returned in earnest to his piano studies, and at age fourteen wrote his first composition, "Soda Fountain Rag" also known as "Poodle Dog Rag." Ellington was earning income from playing music at seventeen years of age, and around this time he earned the sobriquet "Duke" for his sartorial splendor and regal air. On July 2, 1918, he married a high school sweetheart, Edna Thompson; their only child, Mercer Kennedy Ellington, was born on March 11, 1919. Duke Ellington spent the first twenty-four years of his life in Washington's culturally thriving Negro community. In this vibrant atmosphere he was inspired to be a composer and learned to take pride in his African-American heritage.
Ellington moved to New York City in 1923 to join and eventually lead a small group of transplanted Washington musicians called "The Washingtonians," which included future Ellington band members, Sonny Greer, Otto Hardwicke and "Bubber" Miley. Between 1923 and 1927, the group played at the Club Kentucky on Broadway and the ensemble increased from a quintet to a ten-piece orchestra. With stride pianist Willie "The Lion" Smith as his unofficial guide, Ellington soon became part of New York's music scene; Smith proved to be a long-lasting influence on Duke's composing and arranging direction. At the Club Kentucky, Ellington came under the tutelage of another legendary stride pianist, "Fats" Waller. Waller, a protege of Johnson and Smith, played solos during the band's breaks and also tutored Ellington who began to show progress in his compositions. In November 1924, Duke made his publishing and recording debut with "Choo Choo (I Got To Hurry Home)" released on the Blu-Disc label. In 1925, he contributed two songs to Chocolate Kiddies, an all-black revue which introduced European audiences to black American styles and performers. By this time Ellington's family, Edna and Mercer, had joined him in New York City. The couple separated in the late 1920's, but they never divorced or reconciled.
Ellington's achievements as a composer and bandleader began to attract national attention while he worked at the Cotton Club in Harlem, New York City, from 1927 to 1932. The orchestra developed a distinctive sound that displayed the non-traditional voicings of Ellington's arrangements and featured the unique talents of the individual soloists. Ellington integrated his soloists' exotic-sounding trombone growls and wah-wahs, their high-squealed trumpets, their sultry saxophone blues licks and Harlem's street rhythms into his arrangements. In the promotional material of the Cotton Club, the band was often billed as "Duke Ellington and His Jungle Band." With the success of compositions like "Mood Indigo," and an increasing number of recordings and national radio broadcasts from the Cotton Club, the band's reputation soared.
The ten years from 1932 to 1942 are considered by some major critics to represent the "golden age" for the Ellington Orchestra, but it represents just one of their creative peaks. These years did bring an influx of extraordinary new talent to the band including Jimmy Blanton on double bass, Ben Webster on tenor saxophone, and Ray Nance on trumpet, violin and vocals. During this ten year span Ellington composed several of his best known short works, including "Concerto For Cootie," "Ko-Ko," "Cotton Tail," "In A Sentimental Mood," and Jump For Joy, his first full-length musical stage revue.
Most notably, 1938 marked the arrival of Billy Strayhorn. While a teenager in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Strayhorn had already written "Lush Life," "Something To Live For" and a musical, Fantastic Rhythm. Ellington was initially impressed with Strayhorn's lyrics but realized long before Billy's composition "Take the A' Train" became the band's theme song in 1942 that Strayhorn's talents were not limited to penning clever lyrics. By 1942, "Swee' Pea" had become arranger, composer, second pianist, collaborator, and as Duke described him, "my right arm, my left arm, all the eyes in the back of my head, my brain waves in his head, and his in mine." Many Ellington/Strayhorn songs have entered the jazz canon, and their extended works are still being discovered and studied today. Strayhorn remained with the Ellington Organization until his death on May 30, 1967.
Ellington had often hinted of a work in progress depicting the struggle of blacks in America. The original script, Boola, debuted in Carnegie Hall in November of 1943, retitled Black, Brown and Beige. The performance met with mixed reviews, and although Ellington often returned to Carnegie Hall the piece was never recorded in a studio, and after 1944 was never performed in entirety again by the Ellington Orchestra. Nonetheless, it is now considered a milestone in jazz composition.
After World War II the mood and musical tastes of the country shifted and hard times befell big bands, but Ellington kept his band together. The band was not always financially self-sufficient and during the lean times Ellington used his songwriting royalties to meet the soloists' salaries. One could assign to Ellington the altruistic motive of loyalty to his sidemen, but another motivation may have been his compositional style which was rooted in hearing his music in the formative stage come alive in rehearsal. "The band was his instrument," Billy Strayhorn said, and no Ellington composition was complete until he heard the orchestra play it. Then he could fine tune his compositions, omit and augment passages, or weave a soloist's contribution into the structure of the tune.
In 1956, the American public rediscovered Duke and the band at the Newport Jazz Festival in Rhode Island. The searing performances of tenor saxophonist Paul Gonsalves on "Diminuendo and Crescendo In Blue," his premiere soloist, alto saxophonist Johnny Hodges on "Jeep's Blues", and the crowd's ecstatic reaction have become jazz legend. Later that year Duke landed on the cover of Time magazine. Although Ellington had previously written music for film and television (including the short film, Black and Tan Fantasy in 1929) it wasn't until 1959 that Otto Preminger asked him to score music for his mainstream film, Anatomy of a Murder, starring Jimmy Stewart. Paris Blues in 1961, featuring box-office stars Paul Newman and Sidney Poitier in roles as American jazz musicians in Paris, followed.
Ellington's first performance overseas was in England in 1933, but the 1960s brought extensive overseas tours including diplomatic tours sponsored by the State Department. Ellington and Strayhorn composed exquisite extended works reflecting the sights and sounds of their travels, including the Far East Suite, 1966. They wrote homages to their classical influences; in 1963, they adapted Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite and celebrated Shakespeare's works with the suite Such Sweet Thunder in 1957. With Ella Fitzgerald, they continued the Norman Granz Songbook Series. Ellington also began to flex his considerable pianist skills and recorded albums with John Coltrane (1963), Coleman Hawkins (1963), Frank Sinatra, and Money Jungle (1963) with Charles Mingus and Max Roach. The First Sacred Concert debuted in San Francisco's Grace Cathedral in 1965. In his final years, Ellington's thoughts turned to spiritual themes and he added a Second (1968) and Third (1973) Concert of Sacred Music to his compositions.
In his lifetime, Duke received numerous awards and honors including the highest honor bestowed on an American civilian, the Congressional Medal Of Freedom. In 1965, Ellington was recommended for a Pulitzer Prize to honor his forty years of contribution to music but the recommendation was rejected by the board. Most likely he was disappointed, but his response at the age of sixty-six was, "Fate is being kind to me. Fate doesn't want me to be famous too young."
Ellington never rested on his laurels or stopped composing. Whenever he was asked to name his favorite compositions his characteristic reply was "the next five coming up," but to please his loyal fans Ellington always featured some of his standards in every performance. Even on his deathbed, he was composing the opera buffo called Queenie Pie.
Duke Ellington died on May 24, 1974 at seventy-five years of age. His funeral was held in New York's Cathedral of St. John The Divine; he was buried in Woodlawn Cemetery. His long-time companion Beatrice "Evie" Ellis was buried beside him after her death in 1976. He was survived by his only child, Mercer Kennedy Ellington, who not only took up the baton to lead the Duke Ellington Orchestra but assumed the task of caring for his father's papers and his legacy to the nation. Mercer Ellington died in Copenhagan, Denmark on February 8, 1996, at the age of seventy-six. Ruth Ellington Boatwright died in New York on March 6, 2004, at the age of eighty-eight. Both Mercer and Ruth were responsible for shepherding the documents and artifacts that celebrate Duke Ellington's genius and creative life to their current home in the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History.
Related Materials:
Materials in the Archives Center
William H. Quealy Collection of Duke Ellington Recordings (AC0296)
Rutgers University Collection of Radio Interviews about Duke Ellington (AC0328)
Duke Ellington Oral History Project (AC0368)
Duke Ellington Collection of Ephemera and realated Audiovisual Materials (AC0386)
Annual International Conference of the Duke Ellington Study Group Proceedings (AC0385)
Robert Udkoff Collection of Duke Ellington Ephemera (AC0388)
Frank Driggs Collection of Duke Ellington Photographic Prints (AC0389)
New York Chapter of the Duke Ellington Society Collection (AC390)
Earl Okin Collection of Duke Ellington Ephemera (AC0391)
William Russo Transcription and Arrangement of Duke Ellington's First Concert of Sacred Music (AC0406)
Ruth Ellington Collection of Duke Ellington Materials (AC0415)
Music manuscripts in the Ruth Ellington Collection complement the music manuscripts found in the Duke Ellington Collection.
Carter Harman Collection of Interviews with Duke Ellington (AC0422)
Betty McGettigan Collection of Duke Ellington Memorabilia (AC0494)
Dr. Theodore Shell Collection of Duke Ellington Ephemera (AC0502)
Edward and Gaye Ellington Collection of Duke Ellington Materials (AC0704)
Andrew Homzy Collection of Duke Ellington Stock Music Arrangements (AC0740)
John Gensel Collection of Duke Ellington Materials (AC0763)
Al Celley Collection of Duke Ellington Materials (AC1240)
Materials at Other Organizations
Institute of Jazz Studies
Separated Materials:
Artifacts related to this collection are in the Division of Culture and the Arts (now Division of Cultural and Community Life) and include trophies, plaques, and medals. See accessions: 1989.0369; 1991.0808; 1993.0032; and 1999.0148.
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Provenance:
The collection was purchased through an appropriation of Congress in 1988.
Restrictions:
Collection is open for research but the original and master audiovisual materials are stored off-site and special arrangements must be made to work with it. Contact the Archives Center for information at archivescenter@si.edu or 202-633-3270.
Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Copyright restrictions. Consult the Archives Center at archivescenter@si.edu or 202-633-3270.
Paul Ellington, executor, is represented by:
Richard J.J. Scarola, Scarola Ellis LLP, 888 Seventh Avenue, 45th Floor, New York, New York 10106. Telephone (212) 757-0007 x 235; Fax (212) 757-0469; email: rjjs@selaw.com; www.selaw.com; www.ourlawfirm.com.
Opening remarks--Winston ad--Ritsey b'muchaseynu--Rozhinkes mit mandlen--ad--Bechu rachum--Utsa essa--Ad--V'chas kohanim--conclusion
Local Numbers:
FW-ASCH-10RR-0001
Date/Time and Place of an Event Note:
Recorded in: New York (N.Y.), United States, New York, March 5, 1961.
General:
CDR copy Tapes FW-ASCH-0001 through FW-ASCH-10RR-0019 are (primarily) from a weekly radio show series entitled Songs of the Synagogue, aired every Sunday afternoon at 2:00 over WEVD in New York City. The tapes are all from 1960 and 1961. Each week, a different cantor is featured along with a choir, singing synagogue music, and also, usually a Yiddish or Israeli song. The series is a Joseph Jacobs production, directed by Sholom Rubinstein, with music arranged and conducted by Abe Ellstein. The show is hosted by Zvee Scooler, and is sponsored primarily by Winston cigarettes. An ad for Conn Electronic Organs sometimes concludes the show. Shows begin with a steady tone for which, usually, "zero level at 400 CY" is indicated. Henry Sapoznik, Yiddish radio and klezmer music authority, provided some of the above information. It is not known how or why Folkways obtained these tapes,but in 1960, Sholom Rubenstein also wrote and directed a Folkways record album concerning Theordore Herzl. The tapes in our possession represent a small fraction of the programs originally broadcast. FW-10RR-ASCH-0001 features Cantor Herman Malamood of the Educational Jewish Center of the Bronx, NY., for broadcast on March 5, 1961. Cantor Malamood also was an opera singer with both the New York City Opera and the Metropolitan Opera.
Restrictions:
Restrictions on access. No duplication allowed listening and viewing for research purposes only.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
announcements--unk--ad--Hallelujah (Praise the Lord)--conclusion
Local Numbers:
FW-ASCH-10RR-0002
Date/Time and Place of an Event Note:
Recorded in: United States 26, 1961.
General:
CDR copy Tapes FW-ASCH-0001 through FW-ASCH-10RR-0019 are (primarily) from a weekly radio show series entitled Songs of the Synagogue, aired every Sunday afternoon at 2:00 over WEVD in New York City. The tapes are all from 1960 and 1961. Each week, a different cantor is featured along with a choir, singing synagogue music, and also, usually a Yiddish or Israeli song. The series is a Joseph Jacobs production, directed by Sholom Rubinstein, with music arranged and conducted by Abe Ellstein. The show is hosted by Zvee Scooler, and is sponsored primarily by Winston cigarettes. An ad for Conn Electronic Organs sometimes concludes the show. Shows begin with a steady tone for which, usually, "zero level at 400 CY" is indicated. Henry Sapoznik, Yiddish radio and klezmer music authority, provided some of the above information. It is not known how or why Folkways obtained these tapes,but in 1960, Sholom Rubenstein also wrote and directed a Folkways record album concerning Theordore Herzl. The tapes in our possession represent a small fraction of the programs originally broadcast. FW-ASCH-10RR-0002 begins with all the announcements, without music, for the following three shows in the Songs of Synagogue series: Cantor Lawrence Avery show; Cantor Herman Malamood show (for complete show, go to FW-ASCH-10RR-0001); and Cantor Nathaniel Springzen show. At the conclusion of this segment of the tape, the announcer states that this is the last show of the Songs of the Synagogue series.The tape concludes with the final 11 minutes of a Cantor Nathaniel Springzen show aired during the week of the holiday, Sukkos, but not the same Springzen show for which the announcments are presented in the first segment of the tape.
Restrictions:
Restrictions on access. No duplication allowed listening and viewing for research purposes only.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
Recorded in: New York (N.Y.), United States, New York, January 1, 1961.
General:
CDR copy Tapes FW-ASCH-0001 through FW-ASCH-10RR-0019 are (primarily) from a weekly radio show series entitled Songs of the Synagogue, aired every Sunday afternoon at 2:00 over WEVD in New York City. The tapes are all from 1960 and 1961. Each week, a different cantor is featured along with a choir, singing synagogue music, and also, usually a Yiddish or Israeli song. The series is a Joseph Jacobs production, directed by Sholom Rubinstein, with music arranged and conducted by Abe Ellstein. The show is hosted by Zvee Scooler, and is sponsored primarily by Winston cigarettes. An ad for Conn Electronic Organs sometimes concludes the show. Shows begin with a steady tone for which, usually, "zero level at 400 CY" is indicated. Henry Sapoznik, Yiddish radio and klezmer music authority, provided some of the above information. It is not known how or why Folkways obtained these tapes,but in 1960, Sholom Rubenstein also wrote and directed a Folkways record album concerning Theordore Herzl. The tapes in our possession represent a small fraction of the programs originally broadcast. FW-10RR-ASCH-0003 features Cantor Khatskele Ritter of Brooklyn, NY., for broadcast on Jan. 1, 1961. Both Hebrew synagogue songs are sung as well as Yiddish non-liturgical songs.
Restrictions:
Restrictions on access. No duplication allowed listening and viewing for research purposes only.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
Opening--Ad O'shem, ad o'shem--Song of the dreamer--Ad--Kedusha: L'dor v'dor--As der Rebbe geyt--Ad--Chash kiveynu--conclusion
Local Numbers:
FW-ASCH-10RR-0004
Date/Time and Place of an Event Note:
Recorded in: New York (N.Y.), United States, New York, January 28, 1961.
General:
CDR copy Tapes FW-ASCH-0001 through FW-ASCH-10RR-0019 are (primarily) from a weekly radio show series entitled Songs of the Synagogue, aired every Sunday afternoon at 2:00 over WEVD in New York City. The tapes are all from 1960 and 1961. Each week, a different cantor is featured along with a choir, singing synagogue music, and also, usually a Yiddish or Israeli song. The series is a Joseph Jacobs production, directed by Sholom Rubinstein, with music arranged and conducted by Abe Ellstein. The show is hosted by Zvee Scooler, and is sponsored primarily by Winston cigarettes. An ad for Conn Electronic Organs sometimes concludes the show. Shows begin with a steady tone for which, usually, "zero level at 400 CY" is indicated. Henry Sapoznik, Yiddish radio and klezmer music authority, provided some of the above information. It is not known how or why Folkways obtained these tapes,but in 1960, Sholom Rubenstein also wrote and directed a Folkways record album concerning Theordore Herzl. The tapes in our possession represent a small fraction of the programs originally broadcast. FW-ASCH-10RR-0004 features Cantor Joshua O. Stiel, of congregation B'Nai Israel, Milburn, New Jersey, for broadcast on Jan. 28, 1961. Songs are in Hebrew, Yiddish and English; both liturgical and secular songs are included.
Restrictions:
Restrictions on access. No duplication allowed listening and viewing for research purposes only.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
Kalich---intro--ad--Avo rachamin--Pischull sari tzedek--ad--B'reekh sh'may--a zemerl volkomen der rebbe--ad--Mit ch'nai ho twahn--organ ad--beginning of boruch ata adoshem;
Local Numbers:
FW-ASCH-10RR-0005
Date/Time and Place of an Event Note:
Recorded in: New York (N.Y.), United States, New York, December 25, 1960.
General:
CDR copy Tapes FW-ASCH-0001 through FW-ASCH-10RR-0019 are (primarily) from a weekly radio show series entitled Songs of the Synagogue, aired every Sunday afternoon at 2:00 over WEVD in New York City. The tapes are all from 1960 and 1961. Each week, a different cantor is featured along with a choir, singing synagogue music, and also, usually a Yiddish or Israeli song. The series is a Joseph Jacobs production, directed by Sholom Rubinstein, with music arranged and conducted by Abe Ellstein. The show is hosted by Zvee Scooler, and is sponsored primarily by Winston cigarettes. An ad for Conn Electronic Organs sometimes concludes the show. Shows begin with a steady tone for which, usually, "zero level at 400 CY" is indicated. Henry Sapoznik, Yiddish radio and klezmer music authority, provided some of the above information. It is not known how or why Folkways obtained these tapes,but in 1960, Sholom Rubenstein also wrote and directed a Folkways record album concerning Theordore Herzl. The tapes in our possession represent a small fraction of the programs originally broadcast. FW-10RR-ASCH-0005 features Cantor Kalman Kalich of Congregation Ora Tzedek in NYC, for broadcast on Dec.25, 1960. Hebrew synagogue songs and one Chassidic Yiddish song are presented.
Restrictions:
Restrictions on access. No duplication allowed listening and viewing for research purposes only.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
Springzen---intro--ad- Hanukkah blessings--Shehechhiyanu--ad--Ha beyt M'shamayim--V'koray P'zuray ano--ad--Ballad of hanukkah--organ ad
Local Numbers:
FW-ASCH-10RR-0006
Date/Time and Place of an Event Note:
Recorded in: United States, December 11, 1960.
General:
CDR copy Tapes FW-ASCH-0001 through FW-ASCH-10RR-0019 are (primarily) from a weekly radio show series entitled Songs of the Synagogue, aired every Sunday afternoon at 2:00 over WEVD in New York City. The tapes are all from 1960 and 1961. Each week, a different cantor is featured along with a choir, singing synagogue music, and also, usually a Yiddish or Israeli song. The series is a Joseph Jacobs production, directed by Sholom Rubinstein, with music arranged and conducted by Abe Ellstein. The show is hosted by Zvee Scooler, and is sponsored primarily by Winston cigarettes. An ad for Conn Electronic Organs sometimes concludes the show. Shows begin with a steady tone for which, usually, "zero level at 400 CY" is indicated. Henry Sapoznik, Yiddish radio and klezmer music authority, provided some of the above information. It is not known how or why Folkways obtained these tapes,but in 1960, Sholom Rubenstein also wrote and directed a Folkways record album concerning Theordore Herzl. The tapes in our possession represent a small fraction of the programs originally broadcast. FW-ASCH-10RR-0006 features Cantor Nathaniel Springzen, of Congregation B'Nai Abraham, Newark, New Jersey, for broadcast on 12/11/1960. As this was the program preceding Hanukkah, the emphasis was on Hanukkah songs. A large note on the tape box says, "HOLD THIS SHOW!"
Restrictions:
Restrictions on access. No duplication allowed listening and viewing for research purposes only.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
Intro--Ad--Ma tovu--Chag purim--Ad--Ad--Shir lamalos--Bayn Rebi's tish--Ad--Baruch Adoshem Ba yom--Baruch adoshem ba layla--Conclusion
Local Numbers:
FW-ASCH-10RR-0007
Date/Time and Place of an Event Note:
Recorded in: New York (N.Y.), United States, New York, February 26, 1951.
General:
CDR copy Tapes FW-ASCH-0001 through FW-ASCH-10RR-0019 are (primarily) from a weekly radio show series entitled Songs of the Synagogue, aired every Sunday afternoon at 2:00 over WEVD in New York City. The tapes are all from 1960 and 1961. Each week, a different cantor is featured along with a choir, singing synagogue music, and also, usually a Yiddish or Israeli song. The series is a Joseph Jacobs production, directed by Sholom Rubinstein, with music arranged and conducted by Abe Ellstein. The show is hosted by Zvee Scooler, and is sponsored primarily by Winston cigarettes. An ad for Conn Electronic Organs sometimes concludes the show. Shows begin with a steady tone for which, usually, "zero level at 400 CY" is indicated. Henry Sapoznik, Yiddish radio and klezmer music authority, provided some of the above information. It is not known how or why Folkways obtained these tapes,but in 1960, Sholom Rubenstein also wrote and directed a Folkways record album concerning Theordore Herzl. The tapes in our possession represent a small fraction of the programs originally broadcast. FW-10RR-ASCH-0007 features Cantor Lawrence Avery of Congregation Beth El in New Rochelle, NY, for broadcast on Feb. 26, 1961. Hebrew synagogue songs are presented, along with a Yiddish song and a cheerful Purim song medley, as the broadcast occurred during the week of Purim.
Restrictions:
Restrictions on access. No duplication allowed listening and viewing for research purposes only.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
Opening--Ad--E rosh haashanah yikaseywoon--Key melech yosheye--ad--ezra ha sofer--Ainu Makeynu--ad--Kol kidre--Conclusion
Local Numbers:
FW-ASCH-10RR-0008
Date/Time and Place of an Event Note:
Recorded in: New York (N.Y.), United States, New York, September 25, 1960.
General:
CDR copy Tapes FW-ASCH-0001 through FW-ASCH-10RR-0019 are (primarily) from a weekly radio show series entitled Songs of the Synagogue, aired every Sunday afternoon at 2:00 over WEVD in New York City. The tapes are all from 1960 and 1961. Each week, a different cantor is featured along with a choir, singing synagogue music, and also, usually a Yiddish or Israeli song. The series is a Joseph Jacobs production, directed by Sholom Rubinstein, with music arranged and conducted by Abe Ellstein. The show is hosted by Zvee Scooler, and is sponsored primarily by Winston cigarettes. An ad for Conn Electronic Organs sometimes concludes the show. Shows begin with a steady tone for which, usually, "zero level at 400 CY" is indicated. Henry Sapoznik, Yiddish radio and klezmer music authority, provided some of the above information. It is not known how or why Folkways obtained these tapes,but in 1960, Sholom Rubenstein also wrote and directed a Folkways record album concerning Theordore Herzl. The tapes in our possession represent a small fraction of the programs originally broadcast. FW-ASCH-10RR-0008 features Cantor Lawrence Avery of Congregation Beth El in New Rochelle, NY, for broadcast on 9/25/1960, As the show is for broadcast on the Sunday preceding Yom Kippur, this broadcast includes only liturgical songs of the holiday.
Restrictions:
Restrictions on access. No duplication allowed listening and viewing for research purposes only.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
Opening--Ad--Halaviv lay amos ki echyen--In the begininng--Ad--Bitsays Israel---Baym Rebi's tish--Ad--Simchas torah--Conclusion--Your jewish heritage ad
Local Numbers:
FW-ASCH-10RR-0009
Date/Time and Place of an Event Note:
Recorded in: New York (N.Y.), United States, New York, October 9, 1960.
General:
CDR copy Tapes FW-ASCH-0001 through FW-ASCH-10RR-0018 are (primarily) from a weekly radio show series entitled Songs of the Synagogue, aired every Sunday afternoon at 2:00 over WEVD in New York City. The tapes are all from 1960 and 1961. Each week, a different cantor is featured along with the Winston Choir, singing synagogue music, and usually a Yiddish song or Israeli song. The series is a Joseph Jacobs production, directed by Sholom Rubinstein, with music arranged and conducted by Abe Ellstein. The show is hosted by Zvee Scooler, and is sponsored primarily by Winston cigarettes. An ad for Conn Electronic Organs sometimes concludes the show. Henry Sapoznik, Yiddish radio and klezmer music authority, provided some of the above information. It is not known how or why Folkways obtained these tapes,but in 1960, Sholom Rubenstein also wrote and directed a Folkways album concerning Theordore Herzl. FW-10RR-ASCH-0009 features Cantor Khatskele Ritter of Brooklyn, NY (no congregation mentioned), and was broadcast on Oct. 9, 1960. As this show was broadcast during the week of Succoth and Simchas Torah, songs of those holidays are performed.
Restrictions:
Restrictions on access. No duplication allowed listening and viewing for research purposes only.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
Opening--Ad--Hayom harat olam--Aley G'vat--Ad--Modim anachnu loch--Shomeyr Yisroel--Ad--Ritsey--Conclusion--Organ ad
Local Numbers:
FW-ASCH-10RR-0010
Date/Time and Place of an Event Note:
Recorded in: New York (N.Y.), United States, New York, December 9, 1960.
General:
CDR copy Tapes FW-ASCH-0001 through FW-ASCH-10RR-0018 are (primarily) from a weekly radio show series entitled Songs of the Synagogue, aired every Sunday afternoon at 2:00 over WEVD in New York City. The tapes are all from 1960 and 1961. Each week, a different cantor is featured along with the Winston Choir, singing synagogue music, and usually a Yiddish song or Israeli song. The series is a Joseph Jacobs production, directed by Sholom Rubinstein, with music arranged and conducted by Abe Ellstein. The show is hosted by Zvee Scooler, and is sponsored primarily by Winston cigarettes. An ad for Conn Electronic Organs sometimes concludes the show. Henry Sapoznik, Yiddish radio and klezmer music authority, provided some of the above information. It is not known how or why Folkways obtained these tapes,but in 1960, Sholom Rubenstein also wrote and directed a Folkways album concerning Theordore Herzl. FW-ASCH-10RR-0010 features Cantor Aaron Caplow of Temple Israel of Long Beach, NY. The show was broadcast on Dec. 4, 1960.
Restrictions:
Restrictions on access. No duplication allowed listening and viewing for research purposes only.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
intro--V'shomru b'nai Yisrael es ha shabbos--on a country highway--ad--Ha sh'keeveynu--Havenu Sholom Alechem--ad--Unasonet toke
Local Numbers:
FW-ASCH-10RR-0012
Date/Time and Place of an Event Note:
Recorded in: New York (N.Y.), United States, New York, January 15, 1961.
General:
CDR copy Tapes FW-ASCH-0001 through FW-ASCH-10RR-0018 are (primarily) from a weekly radio show series entitled Songs of the Synagogue, aired every Sunday afternoon at 2:00 over WEVD in New York City. The tapes are all from 1960 and 1961. Each week, a different cantor is featured along with the Winston Choir, singing synagogue music, and usually a Yiddish song or Israeli song. The series is a Joseph Jacobs production, directed by Sholom Rubinstein, with music arranged and conducted by Abe Ellstein. The show is hosted by Zvee Scooler, and is sponsored primarily by Winston cigarettes. An ad for Conn Electronic Organs sometimes concludes the show. Shows begin with a steady tone for which "zero level at 400 CY." Henry Sapoznik, Yiddish radio and klezmer music authority, provided some of the above information. It is not known how or why Folkways obtained these tapes,but in 1960, Sholom Rubenstein also wrote and directed a Folkways album concerning Theordore Herzl. FW-10RR-ASCH-0012 features Cantor Joseph Boardman of Temple Bethem in Huntington, Long Island NY and was broadcast on Jan. 15, 1961. In addtion to liturgical songs, it includes the Israeli song, Havenu Shalom Alechem, and a Yiddish song, Gey Ich Mir Shpartsiren, freely translated into English.
Restrictions:
Restrictions on access. No duplication allowed listening and viewing for research purposes only.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
Opening--ad--Yismachoo V'makhusov--Roznikis mit mandlen--ad--Rachamawno v'oney--Baym Rebbns tish--ad--Maloch al kol ha;olam--Conclusion
Local Numbers:
FW-ASCH-10RR-0013
General:
CDR copy Tapes FW-ASCH-0001 through FW-ASCH-10RR-0018 are (primarily) from a weekly radio show series entitled Songs of the Synagogue, aired every Sunday afternoon at 2:00 over WEVD in New York City. The tapes are all from 1960 and 1961. Each week, a different cantor is featured along with the Winston Choir, singing synagogue music, and usually a Yiddish song or Israeli song. The series is a Joseph Jacobs production, directed by Sholom Rubinstein, with music arranged and conducted by Abe Ellstein. The show is hosted by Zvee Scooler, and is sponsored primarily by Winston cigarettes. An ad for Conn Electronic Organs sometimes concludes the show. Shows begin with a steady tone for which "zero level at 400 CY." Henry Sapoznik, Yiddish radio and klezmer music authority, provided some of the above information. It is not known how or why Folkways obtained these tapes,but in 1960, Sholom Rubenstein also wrote and directed a Folkways album concerning Theordore Herzl. FW-ASCH-10RR-0013 features Cantor Norman Summers of B'ney Jeshuan of Newark, New Jersey. This show is somewhat oriented towards Rosh Hashonah. The show was broadcast on August 14, 1960.
Restrictions:
Restrictions on access. No duplication allowed listening and viewing for research purposes only.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
Opening--ad--L'cha dodi--Yishmeychu v'malchuscho--Ad--Mi khamocha and avos--Adon olam--ad--V'shomru B'ney Yisroel es HaShabbos--Hash kaveynu--conclusion--organ ad
Local Numbers:
FW-ASCH-10RR-0014
Date/Time and Place of an Event Note:
Recorded in: New York (N.Y.), United States, New York, June 12, 1960.
General:
CDR copy Tapes FW-ASCH-0001 through FW-ASCH-10RR-0018 are (primarily) from a weekly radio show series entitled Songs of the Synagogue, aired every Sunday afternoon at 2:00 over WEVD in New York City. The tapes are all from 1960 and 1961. Each week, a different cantor is featured along with the Winston Choir, singing synagogue music, and usually a Yiddish song or Israeli song. The series is a Joseph Jacobs production, directed by Sholom Rubinstein, with music arranged and conducted by Abe Ellstein. The show is hosted by Zvee Scooler, and is sponsored primarily by Winston cigarettes. An ad for Conn Electronic Organs sometimes concludes the show. Shows begin with a steady tone for which, usually, "zero level at 400 CY" is indicated. Henry Sapoznik, Yiddish radio and klezmer music authority, provided some of the above information. It is not known how or why Folkways obtained these tapes,but in 1960, Sholom Rubenstein also wrote and directed a Folkways album concerning Theordore Herzl. The tapes in our possession represent a small fraction of the programs broadcast. FW-ASCH-10RR-0014 features Cantor Norman Atkins of the Metropolitan Synagoue of Manhattan, NY. This program is devoted entirely to excerpts from the Friday evening service. Cantor Atkins is a baritone, whereas all preceding cantors in the series have been tenors. The program was broadcast on June 12, 1960.
Restrictions:
Restrictions on access. No duplication allowed listening and viewing for research purposes only.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
Recorded in: New York (N.Y.), United States, New York, January 8, 1961.
General:
CDR copy Tapes FW-ASCH-0001 through FW-ASCH-10RR-0018 are (primarily) from a weekly radio show series entitled Songs of the Synagogue, aired every Sunday afternoon at 2:00 over WEVD in New York City. The tapes are all from 1960 and 1961. Each week, a different cantor is featured along with the Winston Choir, singing synagogue music, and usually a Yiddish song or Israeli song. The series is a Joseph Jacobs production, directed by Sholom Rubinstein, with music arranged and conducted by Abe Ellstein. The show is hosted by Zvee Scooler, and is sponsored primarily by Winston cigarettes. An ad for Conn Electronic Organs sometimes concludes the show. Shows begin with a steady tone for which, usually, "zero level at 400 CY" is indicated. Henry Sapoznik, Yiddish radio and klezmer music authority, provided some of the above information. It is not known how or why Folkways obtained these tapes,but in 1960, Sholom Rubenstein also wrote and directed a Folkways album concerning Theordore Herzl. The tapes in our possession represent a small fraction of the programs broadcast. FW-ASCH-10RR-0015 features baritone Cantor Arthur Wolfson of Temple Emmanuel in New York City, NY. The program was broadcast on Jan 8, 1961.
Restrictions:
Restrictions on access. No duplication allowed listening and viewing for research purposes only.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
Radio program--intro--ad--Am khamocha--Ven cumin der heylign Shabbos--Ad--Dh'ma Yisrael--Al tiro al B'yakov--ad--Magin ovos--Conn organ ad
Local Numbers:
FW-ASCH-10RR-0018
Date/Time and Place of an Event Note:
Recorded in: New York (N.Y.), United States, New York, June 17, 1960.
General:
CDR copy Tapes FW-ASCH-0001 through FW-ASCH-10RR-0019 are (primarily) from a weekly radio show series entitled Songs of the Synagogue, aired every Sunday afternoon at 2:00 over WEVD in New York City. The tapes are all from 1960 and 1961. Each week, a different cantor is featured along with a choir, singing synagogue music, and also, usually a Yiddish or Israeli song. The series is a Joseph Jacobs production, directed by Sholom Rubinstein, with music arranged and conducted by Abe Ellstein. The show is hosted by Zvee Scooler, and is sponsored primarily by Winston cigarettes. An ad for Conn Electronic Organs sometimes concludes the show. Shows begin with a steady tone for which, usually, "zero level at 400 CY" is indicated. Henry Sapoznik, Yiddish radio and klezmer music authority, provided some of the above information. It is not known how or why Folkways obtained these tapes,but in 1960, Sholom Rubenstein also wrote and directed a Folkways record album concerning Theordore Herzl. The tapes in our possession represent a small fraction of the programs originally broadcast. FW-ASCH-10RR-0018 features Cantor Solomon Krietstein. The program was broadcast on June 17, 1960.
Restrictions:
Restrictions on access. No duplication allowed listening and viewing for research purposes only.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
Program notes on container. Performer(s): Turkish, Greek, Armenian, and Arabian dance music; arranged and conducted by Marko Melkon with the International Oriental Orchestra.
Restrictions:
Restrictions on access. No duplication allowed listening and viewing for research purposes only.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
Collection Citation:
Moses and Frances Asch Collection, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections, Smithsonian Institution.
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