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Your Saturday Afternoon Date with the Duke

American composer, pianist, and bandleader of a jazz orchestra for 50 years sponsored by the Treasury Department.

Your Saturday Date with the Duke

35 old time radio show recordings
(total playtime 29 hours, 46 min)
available in the following formats:

2 MP3 CDs
or
32 Audio CDs


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Play a sample episode from June 02, 1945:

"Mood to Be Wooed"



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Text on OTRCAT.com ©2001-2024 OTRCAT INC All Rights Reserved. Reproduction is prohibited.

Duke Ellington at pianoThe appellation of "Great" is one bestowed on an artist for a number of reasons. The artist in question might have been a pioneer in their field, or they may have built a huge body of work. Some artists become great simply by having a long career while others are only great if they stand heads and shoulders above their contemporaries. By any measure, Duke Ellington can be called great for these reasons and many more.

The Duke was born into a relatively affluent African-American family in Washington DC. His parents were only a generation or so away from slavery, but raised Due in an atmosphere of racial pride and did their best to shield him from Jim Crow. Both parents were accomplished pianists and Duke was given lessons but his biggest interest was baseball. He reported memories of President Theodore Roosevelt stopping to watch his pals on the diamond while taking his daily horse ride, and one of Duke's first paying jobs was selling peanuts at the Washington Senators ballpark. He was working as a soda jerk at the Poodle Dog Café when he wrote his first composition, "The Soda Fountain Rag" (sometimes called 'The Poodle Dog Rag'). By changing the tempo, the tune could be performed many different ways, "Listeners never knew it was the same piece. I was established as having my own repertoire." About this time, he began sneaking into the local pool halls, but rather than leading him down "the wrong path", listening to the pool hall piano players inspired the young man to take his own lessons more seriously.

Duke EllingtonBy 1917, Ellington was putting together small groups to play at local dances, and eventually, his drummer, Sonny Greer from New Jersey, convinced him to move to New York where Duke became an important figure in the Harlem Renaissance. He put together several different bands and worked his way up from playing Rent Parties to headlining nightclubs. In 1924, Ellington cut eight records and received composing credit on three of them. After cutting a deal with agent-publisher Irving Mills in 1926, Duke began cutting sides for Brunswick, Victor, Columbia, OKeh, and Pathe'. Ellington began leading the house band at the exclusive Cotton Club in 1927, and part of the job was a weekly radio performance.

As the Great Depression hit, the recording industry began dropping artists at a furious rate, but Ellington managed to keep his outfit in the studio on a regular basis. Although most of his audience at this time was African American, his records were gaining popularity in Europe. Swing bands like Benny Goodman's outfit were becoming more popular with the youth and college-age market. The Duke, who already had a hit with "It Don’t Mean a Thing (If it Ain't Got that Swing)" could swing with the best, but lamented "jazz is music, swing is business".

Although Big Band recordings and appearances are remembered as a staple of the WWII music scene, the fact is that the War did permanent damage to Jazz. The biggest factor was the manpower shortage as a number of popular outfits lost musicians to military service and causing many bands, Ellington's included, to break up. When the recording strike was resolved, the record companies began marketing more solo acts, further damaging the popularity of Swing.

Duke's bands went through several shifts, but his creativity and artistry remained. In spring and summer of 1945, ABC Radio under cooperation with the Treasury Department sponsored a series of Saturday afternoon broadcasts titled Your Saturday Date with the Duke. The programs were made up with selections of remote recordings during recent weeks from venues such as New York's 400 Club and Club Zanzibar, and as far afield as Toledo, Ohio.

By the early 1950's, the music industry began to see Ellington as outmoded, and his success began to falter. An appearance at the Newport Jazz Festival in 1956 introduced the Duke to a new generation of fans. He was tapped to score some Hollywood films, including Anatomy of a Murder (1958) and Paris Blues (1961). He was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize for Music in 1965, but no award was given that year. He continued to record and perform nearly until his death from lung cancer on May 24, 1974, at the age of 75. A Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6530 Hollywood Blvd is dedicated honoring Duke Ellington's contributions to Recording.

For more jazz broadcasts, see also: Charlie and His Orchestra (Nazi Propganda), Date with the Duke, Eddie Condon Jazz Concert, Esquire Jazz Concert, Jubilee, Music Depreciation, Navy Swings, Live from Birdland, and New Orleans Jazz Band.

Text on OTRCAT.com ©2001-2024 OTRCAT INC All Rights Reserved. Reproduction is prohibited.

These classic recordings are available in the following formats:

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  • MP3 CDs are delivered by mail. These archival quality MP3 CDs are playable in your computer and many MP3 player devices.



    35 recordings on 2 MP3 CDs for just $10.00. Total playtime 29 hours, 46 min
    35 recordings on 2 MP3 CDs for just $10.00
    total playtime 29 hours, 46 min
    Add MP3 CD Collection to Cart

    1. Volume 1 - 16 shows - total playtime 14 hours 45 minutes
      MP3 CD
      Volume 1: $5.00
      Add To Cart
    2. Your Saturday Date With Duke 450407 01 Blutopia.mp3
    3. Your Saturday Date With Duke 450421 02 Mood To Be Wooed.mp3
    4. Your Saturday Date With Duke 450428 03 Midriff.mp3
    5. Your Saturday Date With Duke 450505 04 Blutopia.mp3
    6. Your Saturday Date With Duke 450512 05 Carnegie Blues.mp3
    7. Your Saturday Date With Duke 450519 06 Teardrops In Rain.mp3
    8. Your Saturday Date With Duke 450526 07 Sugar Hill Penthouse.mp3
    9. Your Saturday Date With Duke 450602 08 Mood To Be Wooed.mp3
    10. Your Saturday Date With Duke 450609 09 Blue Is Night.mp3
    11. Your Saturday Date With Duke 450616 10 Indiana.mp3
    12. Your Saturday Date With Duke 450623 11 Jump For Joy.mp3
    13. Your Saturday Date With Duke 450630 12 Caravan.mp3
    14. Your Saturday Date With Duke 450707 13 Blue Belles Of Harlem.mp3
    15. Your Saturday Date With Duke 450714 14 Shade Old Apple Tree.mp3
    16. Your Saturday Date With Duke 450721 15 In Mellotone.mp3
    17. Your Saturday Date With Duke 450728 16 Teardrops In Rain.mp3

    1. Volume 2 - 19 shows - total playtime 15 hours 1 minutes
      MP3 CD
      Volume 2: $5.00
      Add To Cart
    2. Your Saturday Date With Duke 450804 17 Dancing In Dark.mp3
    3. Your Saturday Date With Duke 450811 18 What Am I Here For.mp3
    4. Your Saturday Date With Duke 450818 19 Black Brown Beige.mp3
    5. Your Saturday Date With Duke 450825 20 Mood Indigo.mp3
    6. Your Saturday Date With Duke 450901 21 On Alamo.mp3
    7. Your Saturday Date With Duke 450908 22 Carnegie Blues.mp3
    8. Your Saturday Date With Duke 450915 23 Subtle Slough.mp3
    9. Your Saturday Date With Duke 450922 24 Someone.mp3
    10. Your Saturday Date With Duke 451006 25 Main Stem.mp3
    11. Your Saturday Date With Duke 451013 26 Times Awastin.mp3
    12. Your Saturday Date With Duke 451020 27 Ultra Blue.mp3
    13. Your Saturday Date With Duke 451027 28 Johnny Come Lately.mp3
    14. Your Saturday Date With Duke 451103 29 Clementine.mp3
    15. Your Saturday Date With Duke 451110 30 Just Asittin Arockin.mp3
    16. Your Saturday Date With Duke 451117 31 Walking With My Honey.mp3
    17. Your Saturday Date With Duke 451124 32 Way Low.mp3
    18. Your Saturday Date With Duke 460413 33 Jamaditty Partial.mp3
    19. Your Saturday Date With Duke 460420 34 Mood To Be Wooed.mp3
    20. Your Saturday Date With Duke 460427 35 Stompy Jones.mp3
  • MP3 downloads are available instantly after purchase!



    35 recordings on 2 MP3 Collection Downloads for just $10.00. Total playtime 29 hours, 46 min
    35 recordings on 2 MP3 Collection Downloads for just $10.00
    total playtime 29 hours, 46 min
    Add Instant Download Collection to Cart

    1. Volume 1 - 16 shows - total playtime 14 hours 45 minutes
      Instant Download
      Volume 1: $5.00
      Add To Cart
    2. Your Saturday Date With Duke 450407 01 Blutopia.mp3
    3. Your Saturday Date With Duke 450421 02 Mood To Be Wooed.mp3
    4. Your Saturday Date With Duke 450428 03 Midriff.mp3
    5. Your Saturday Date With Duke 450505 04 Blutopia.mp3
    6. Your Saturday Date With Duke 450512 05 Carnegie Blues.mp3
    7. Your Saturday Date With Duke 450519 06 Teardrops In Rain.mp3
    8. Your Saturday Date With Duke 450526 07 Sugar Hill Penthouse.mp3
    9. Your Saturday Date With Duke 450602 08 Mood To Be Wooed.mp3
    10. Your Saturday Date With Duke 450609 09 Blue Is Night.mp3
    11. Your Saturday Date With Duke 450616 10 Indiana.mp3
    12. Your Saturday Date With Duke 450623 11 Jump For Joy.mp3
    13. Your Saturday Date With Duke 450630 12 Caravan.mp3
    14. Your Saturday Date With Duke 450707 13 Blue Belles Of Harlem.mp3
    15. Your Saturday Date With Duke 450714 14 Shade Old Apple Tree.mp3
    16. Your Saturday Date With Duke 450721 15 In Mellotone.mp3
    17. Your Saturday Date With Duke 450728 16 Teardrops In Rain.mp3

    1. Volume 2 - 19 shows - total playtime 15 hours 1 minutes
      Instant Download
      Volume 2: $5.00
      Add To Cart
    2. Your Saturday Date With Duke 450804 17 Dancing In Dark.mp3
    3. Your Saturday Date With Duke 450811 18 What Am I Here For.mp3
    4. Your Saturday Date With Duke 450818 19 Black Brown Beige.mp3
    5. Your Saturday Date With Duke 450825 20 Mood Indigo.mp3
    6. Your Saturday Date With Duke 450901 21 On Alamo.mp3
    7. Your Saturday Date With Duke 450908 22 Carnegie Blues.mp3
    8. Your Saturday Date With Duke 450915 23 Subtle Slough.mp3
    9. Your Saturday Date With Duke 450922 24 Someone.mp3
    10. Your Saturday Date With Duke 451006 25 Main Stem.mp3
    11. Your Saturday Date With Duke 451013 26 Times Awastin.mp3
    12. Your Saturday Date With Duke 451020 27 Ultra Blue.mp3
    13. Your Saturday Date With Duke 451027 28 Johnny Come Lately.mp3
    14. Your Saturday Date With Duke 451103 29 Clementine.mp3
    15. Your Saturday Date With Duke 451110 30 Just Asittin Arockin.mp3
    16. Your Saturday Date With Duke 451117 31 Walking With My Honey.mp3
    17. Your Saturday Date With Duke 451124 32 Way Low.mp3
    18. Your Saturday Date With Duke 460413 33 Jamaditty Partial.mp3
    19. Your Saturday Date With Duke 460420 34 Mood To Be Wooed.mp3
    20. Your Saturday Date With Duke 460427 35 Stompy Jones.mp3
  • Standard Audio CDs are delivered by mail on archival quality media with up to 60 minutes on each CD and play in all CD players



    35 recordings on 32 Audio CDs. Total playtime 28 hours, 32 min
    35 recordings on 32 Audio CDs
    total playtime 28 hours, 32 min

    Your Saturday Date with the Duke Disc A001

    1. Your Saturday Date With Duke 450407 01 Blutopia

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    Your Saturday Date with the Duke Disc A002

    1. Your Saturday Date With Duke 450421 02 Mood To Be Wooed

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    Your Saturday Date with the Duke Disc A003

    1. Your Saturday Date With Duke 450428 03 Midriff

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    Your Saturday Date with the Duke Disc A004

    1. Your Saturday Date With Duke 450505 04 Blutopia

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    Your Saturday Date with the Duke Disc A005

    1. Your Saturday Date With Duke 450512 05 Carnegie Blues

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    Your Saturday Date with the Duke Disc A006

    1. Your Saturday Date With Duke 450519 06 Teardrops In Rain

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    Your Saturday Date with the Duke Disc A007

    1. Your Saturday Date With Duke 450526 07 Sugar Hill Penthouse

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    Your Saturday Date with the Duke Disc A008

    1. Your Saturday Date With Duke 450602 08 Mood To Be Wooed

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    Your Saturday Date with the Duke Disc A009

    1. Your Saturday Date With Duke 450609 09 Blue Is Night

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    Your Saturday Date with the Duke Disc A010

    1. Your Saturday Date With Duke 450616 10 Indiana

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    Your Saturday Date with the Duke Disc A011

    1. Your Saturday Date With Duke 450623 11 Jump For Joy

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    Your Saturday Date with the Duke Disc A012

    1. Your Saturday Date With Duke 450630 12 Caravan

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    Your Saturday Date with the Duke Disc A013

    1. Your Saturday Date With Duke 450707 13 Blue Belles Of Harlem

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    Your Saturday Date with the Duke Disc A014

    1. Your Saturday Date With Duke 450714 14 Shade Old Apple Tree

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    Your Saturday Date with the Duke Disc A015

    1. Your Saturday Date With Duke 450721 15 In Mellotone

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    Your Saturday Date with the Duke Disc A016

    1. Your Saturday Date With Duke 450728 16 Teardrops In Rain

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    Your Saturday Date with the Duke Disc A017

    1. Your Saturday Date With Duke 450804 17 Dancing In Dark

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    Your Saturday Date with the Duke Disc A018

    1. Your Saturday Date With Duke 450811 18 What Am I Here For

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    Your Saturday Date with the Duke Disc A019

    1. Your Saturday Date With Duke 450818 19 Black Brown Beige

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    Your Saturday Date with the Duke Disc A020

    1. Your Saturday Date With Duke 450825 20 Mood Indigo

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Your Saturday Date with the Duke Disc A021

    1. Your Saturday Date With Duke 450901 21 On Alamo

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Your Saturday Date with the Duke Disc A022

    1. Your Saturday Date With Duke 450908 22 Carnegie Blues

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    Your Saturday Date with the Duke Disc A023

    1. Your Saturday Date With Duke 450915 23 Subtle Slough

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    Your Saturday Date with the Duke Disc A024

    1. Your Saturday Date With Duke 450922 24 Someone

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    Your Saturday Date with the Duke Disc A025

    1. Your Saturday Date With Duke 451006 25 Main Stem
    2. Your Saturday Date With Duke 451013 26 Times Awastin

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    Your Saturday Date with the Duke Disc A026

    1. Your Saturday Date With Duke 451027 28 Johnny Come Lately

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    Your Saturday Date with the Duke Disc A027

    1. Your Saturday Date With Duke 451103 29 Clementine

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    Your Saturday Date with the Duke Disc A028

    1. Your Saturday Date With Duke 451110 30 Just Asittin Arockin

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    Your Saturday Date with the Duke Disc A029

    1. Your Saturday Date With Duke 451117 31 Walking With My Honey

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    Your Saturday Date with the Duke Disc A030

    1. Your Saturday Date With Duke 451124 32 Way Low
    2. Your Saturday Date With Duke 460413 33 Jamaditty Partial

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Your Saturday Date with the Duke Disc A031

    1. Your Saturday Date With Duke 460420 34 Mood To Be Wooed

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    Your Saturday Date with the Duke Disc A032

    1. Your Saturday Date With Duke 460427 35 Stompy Jones

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