Scope and Content Note
The Jerry Valburn Collection on Duke Ellington spans the years 1924 to 1989, the bulk of which dates from 1935 to 1971. The Printed Music series consists of printed vocal and instrumental music that Ellington composed, as well as a number of works by other prominent composers such as Billy Strayhorn, Jimmy Johnson, Arthur Johnston, and Jack Mason. The Photographs series includes photographs of Ellington posing with prominent jazz musicians, his band during rehearsals and performances, and the sidemen and soloists in the ensemble. The Programs series consists of programs for Ellington honorarial events, as well as concerts in the United States and abroad. Tour booklets and other items in the Promotional Material series further document these performances. The Articles series consists of journal and magazine articles that cover topics related to Ellington and his band. The Clippings series contains newspaper and magazine clippings that cover Ellington's professional activities and honorarial events. Among other items, the Miscellany series contains a print that John Scollard made of Duke Ellington and a print that Ellington made of Billy Strayhorn.