1973StateDeptCablesReAfricanTour.html
http://Ellingtonweb.Ca
Ellington on CD
The Dooji Collection (Ellington on record)
United States Department of State Cables
re Ellington in East Africa, 1973
supplement to
The Duke – Where and When
A Chronicle of Duke Ellington's Working Life and Travels
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Since "The Duke - Where and When" is very large, I moved some material to supporting webpages. This one is about Ellington's 1973 tour of East Africa
This webpage was created and is maintained by David Palmquist,
with considerable input from fellow researchers
Created 2014-07-27, Last updated
2014-07-28
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In late 1973 Ellington and his orchestra made Duke's last European concert tour, but the State Department arranged for them to go to Africa as well.
These U.S. State Department cables about the African leg of the tour are from Wikileaks, which I am uncomfortable visiting.
CU/ CP: DUKE ELLINGTON AND ORCHESTRA
Date:1973 July 4, 00:46 (Wednesday) Canonical ID:1973STATE131061_b
Original Classification:UNCLASSIFIED Current Classification:UNCLASSIFIED
TAGS:ET - Ethiopia | OEXC - Operations--Educational and Cultural Exchange Operations Concepts:-- N/A or Blank --
Enclosure:-- N/A or Blank -- Type:TE
Office Origin:ORIGIN CU - Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs
Office Action:-- N/A or Blank -- Archive Status:Electronic Telegrams
From:Department of State Markings:Declassified/Released US Department of State EO Systematic Review 30 JUN 2005
To:Ethiopia Addis Ababa | Kenya Nairobi
1. DEPT LAST WEEK CONCLUDED CONTRACT TO PICK UP DUKE ELLINGTON AND ORCHESTRA IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING FALL EUROPEAN TOUR FOR BRIEF VISIT TO EAST AFRICA JUST PRIOR RETURN TO U. S.
2. ASSUMING EMB CONCURS, PLANNING INCLUDE ETHIOPIA AND KENYA. ETA ADDIS ABABA FROM PARIS 0600 NOV 20 WITH ONE
CONCERT THAT EVENING; NOV 21-- TWO CONCERTS; NOV 22-- TWO CONCERTS; NOV 23 MID- DAY TRAVEL NAIROBI WITH CONCERT SAME EVENING; NOV 24-- TWO CONCERTS; NOV 25-- ONE CONCERT; ETD NOV 26 FOR NEW YORK. NO EXTENSION OF TOUR POSSIBLE.
3. DEPT PAYING INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL AND PERFORMANCE FEES. POST OR SPONSOR WOULD PAY ROOM AND BOARD (20-21 PEOPLE) PLUS ALL STAGING, WITHIN COUNTRY TRAVEL AND RELATED LOCAL COSTS. ELLINGTON WILL NEED ONE SUITE FOR SELF; OTHERS WILL WANT SINGLES. IN EVENT ADMISSION
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 02 STATE 131061
CHARGED, ANY NET CONCERT PROCEEDS LEFT ( AFTER APPROVED STAGING COSTS, WITHIN COUNTRY TRAVEL, ROOM AND BOARD ARE DEDUCTED) WOULD BE SPLIT 50/50 BETWEEN USG AND LOCAL COSPONSOR. IF EMB SOLE SPONSOR, 100 PERCENT OF NET RPT NET PROCEEDS MUST BE RETURNED U. S. TREASURY. ABOVE CUSTOMARY WHERE CU/ CP FUNDING PERFORMANCE FEES. IF LOCAL COSPONSOR UTILIZED, ADVISE NAME.
4. CONCERTS MAY BE INSIDE OR OUTDOORS. WHERE TWO ARE LISTED IN SAME DAY, THEY MAY BE SCHEDULED EITHER AFTERNOON AND EVENING, OR ONE EARLY EVENING, ONE LATE EVENING. ANY CHANGE IN ABOVE CONCERT SCHEDULE MUST BE APPROVED IN ADVANCE BY DEPT SINCE TOTAL CONCERTS IN EAST AFRICA CANNOT EXCEED NINE.
5. ALL PROPOSED OFFSTAGE ACTIVITIES MUST BE APPROVED IN ADVANCE. LIVE TELECASTS AND RADIO BROADCASTS OF ELLINGTON CONCERTS ARE NOT RPT NOT PERMITTED UNLESS LOCAL SPONSOR WILLING PAY ADDITIONAL HIGH FEE UNDER ELLINGTON CONTRACT WITH UNION. THEREFORE DEPT DISCOURAGES POSTS' INVESTIGATING RADIO AND TV BROADCASTS OF CONCERTS.
6. ELLINGTON EUROPEAN VISIT IS PART OF TOUR BY SEVERAL MAJOR JAZZ ENSEMBLES FROM NEWPORT JAZZ FESTIVAL, ANOTHER UNIT OF WHICH ( B. B. KING) WILL TOUR WEST AFRICA FOR ONE WEEK SIMULTANEOUS TO ELLINGTON' S EAST AFRICAN VISIT.
7. NO MEDIA ANNOUNCEMENT OF ABOVE SHOULD BE MADE IN FIELD AT THIS TIME. DEPT PLANNING ANNOUNCEMENT AT LATER DATE.
8. SINCE KENYATTA, HAILE SELASSIE AND ELLINGTON ARE OF NEAR SAME GENERATION, POSTS MAY WISH CONSIDER PERSONAL PERFORMANCES OF ORCHESTRA FOR TWO LEADERS AS PART OF TOTAL CONCERT SCHEDULE ALLOWED IN EACH COUNTRY.
9. ADVISE ACCEPTANCE. RUSH
UNCLASSIFIED
NNNNMAFVVZCZ
CU/ CP- KENYAN TENTH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION- DUKE ELLINGTON AND ORCHESTRA
Date:1973 July 4, 00:46 (Wednesday) Canonical ID:1973STATE131062_b
Original Classification:LIMITED OFFICIAL USE Current Classification:UNCLASSIFIED
TAGS:KE - Kenya | OEXC - Operations--Educational and Cultural Exchange Operations Concepts:-- N/A or Blank --
Office Origin:ORIGIN CU - Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs
Office Action:-- N/A or Blank -- Archive Status:Electronic Telegrams
From:Department of State Markings:Declassified/Released US Department of State EO Systematic Review 30 JUN 2005
To:Kenya Nairobi
1. AS INDICATED SEPTEL TODAY, DUKE ELLINGTON ORCHESTRA KENYA VISIT PLANNED NOV 23-26. ALTHOUGH ELLINGTON DATES DO NOT PRECISELY COINCIDE WITH INDEPENDENCE CELEBRATION, BELIEVE THEY ARE CLOSE ENOUGH FOR ELLINGTON TO BE BILLED AS USG GESTURE HONORING KENYAN INDEPENDENCE. THEREFORE DO NOT PLAN EXPLORE JACKSON FIVE SINCE DEPT FUNDING UNLIKELY IN VIEW DEPT FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR ELLINGTON TOUR.
2. ADVISE.
3. QUESTION RE OFFICIAL U. S. REPRESENTATIVE FOR CELEBRATIONS SUBJECT SEPARATE MESSAGE. RUSH
LIMITED OFFICIAL USE
NNNNMAFVVZCZ
CU/ CP: B. B. KING
Date:1973 July 4, 00:46 (Wednesday) Canonical ID:1973STATE131063_b
Original Classification:UNCLASSIFIED Current Classification:UNCLASSIFIED
Handling Restrictions:-- N/A or Blank -- Character Count:2628
Executive Order:-- N/A or Blank -- Locator:TEXT ONLINE
TAGS:OEXC - Operations--Educational and Cultural Exchange Operations | XA - Africa Concepts:-- N/A or Blank --
Office Origin:ORIGIN CU - Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs
Office Action:-- N/A or Blank -- Archive Status:Electronic Telegrams
From:Department of State Markings:Declassified/Released US Department of State EO Systematic Review 30 JUN 2005
To:Ghana Accra | Nigeria Lagos | Senegal Dakar
1. PROPOSED PRIVATE FUNDING FOR B. B. KING AFRICAN TOUR DID NOT MATERIALIZE. HOWEVER DEPT HAS NOW ARRANGED PICK UP KING AND HIS GROUP (13 PEOPLE) FOLLOWING HIS FALL EUROPEAN TOUR FOR ABBREVIATED VISIT WEST AFRICA JUST PRIOR
RETURN TO U. S.
2. PLANNING INCLUDE ADDRESSEE POSTS AS FOLLOWS: ARRIVE DAKAR 1515 HOURS NOV 19 FROM PARIS VIA RK-07 WITH CONCERT SAME NIGHT; NOV 20-- TWO CONCERTS; NOV 21-- TRAVEL DAKAR/
ACCRA 0730/1210 VIA PA-184 WITH CONCERT SAME NIGHT; NOV 22-- TWO CONCERTS; NOV 23-- TRAVEL ACCRA/ LAGOS 1015/ 1200-- NO CONCERTS; NOV 24-- TWO CONCERTS; NOV 25-- CONCERT; NOV 26-- DEPART 2110 FOR NY VIA PA-181. NO EXTENSION OF TOUR POSSIBLE.
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 02 STATE 131063
3. DEPT PAYING INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL AND PERFORMANCE FEES. POST OR LOCAL SPONSOR WOULD PAY ROOM AND BOARD PLUS ALL STAGING, WITHIN COUNTRY TRAVEL AND RELATED LOCAL COSTS. WHERE ADMISSION CHARGED, INSTRUCTIONS CITED IN PARA ON LOCAL SPONSOR CONTRACTS ( REF AIRGRAM) PERTAIN. IF LOCAL COSPONSOR USED, ADVISE NAME.
4. WHERE TWO CONCERTS ARE LISTED IN SAME DAY, THEY MAY
BE SCHEDULED EITHER AFTERNOON AND EVENING, OR ONE EARLY EVENING, ONE LATE EVENING. ANY CHANGE IN ABOVE CONCERT SCHEDULE MUST BE APPROVED IN ADVANCE BY DEPT SINCE TOTAL CONCERTS IN WEST AFRICA CANNOT EXCEED NINE AND MUST BE CONFINED TO SIX CALENDAR DAYS.
5. WORKSHOPS AS DESCRIBED IN REF MAY BE PROGRAMMED, TRAVEL AND CONCERT SCHEDULE PERMITTING. WORKSHOPS AND OTHER OFFSTAGE ACTIVITIES MUST BE APPROVED IN ADVANCE. DEPT WILL ADVISE LATER WHETHER SIMULTANEOUS TV AND RADIO BROADCASTS POSSIBLE.
6. KING EUROPEAN VISIT IS PART OF TOUR BY SEVERAL MAJOR JAZZ/ SOUL ENSEMBLES FROM NEWPORT JAZZ FESTIVAL, ANOTHER UNIT OF WHICH ( DUKE ELLINGTON) WILL TOUR EAST AFRICA FOR ONE WEEK SIMULTANEOUS TO KING' S WEST AFRICAN VISIT.
7. NO MEDIA ANNOUNCEMENT OF ABOVE SHOULD BE MADE IN FIELD AT THIS TIME. DEPT PLANNING ANNOUNCEMENT AT LATER DATE.
8. ADVISE ACCEPTANCE. RUSH
UNCLASSIFIED
NNNNMAFVVZCZ
KENYAN TENTH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
Date:1973 July 10, 14:15 (Tuesday) Canonical ID:1973NAIROB04497_b
Original Classification:LIMITED OFFICIAL USE Current Classification:UNCLASSIFIED
TAGS:KE - Kenya | OEXC - Operations--Educational and Cultural Exchange Operations Concepts:-- N/A or Blank --
Enclosure:-- N/A or Blank -- Type:TE
Office Origin:-- N/A or Blank --
Office Action:ACTION CU - Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Archive Status:Electronic Telegrams
From:Kenya Nairobi | NAIROBI JOINT Markings:Declassified/Released US Department of State EO Systematic Review 30 JUN 2005
To:Department of State | Secretary of State
1. WHILE EMBASSY NORMALLY WOULD WELCOME VISIT TO KENYA BY DUKE ELLINGTON ORCHESTRA, WE FAIL TO SEE HOW NOVEMBER VISIT BY THIS ORCHESTRA WOULD BE RESPONSIVE TO SPECIFIC GOK REQUEST FOR USG TO SUPPLY JACKSON FIVE TO PLAY AT INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY FUNCTIONS PLANNED FOR DECEMBER 12 AND DAYS IMMEDIATELY BEFORE AND AFTER THAT DATE. IN FACT, IF DUKE ELLINGTON ORCHESTRA WERE TO COME TO KENYA NOVEMBER 23-24 AS PROPOSED REF B, WE WOULD STRONGLY OPPOSE BILLING IT "AS USG GESTURE HONORING KENYAN INDEPENDENCE" AS SUGGESTED REF C. TO DO SO COULD BE HIGHLY OFFENSIVE TO THOSE IN GOK RESPONSIBLE FOR PLANNING INDEPENDENCE CELEBRATIONS AND COULD GIVERISE TO FEELING THAT US -- UNLIKE OTHER MORE COOPERATIVE COUNTRIES -- PREFERS TO "GO IT ALONE" IN ORDER TO MAXIMIZE PUBLIC RELATIONS IMPACT.
2. EMBASSY AND USIS, THEREFORE, RECOMMEND THAT DEPARTMENT CONSIDER WAYS OF RESPONDING POSITIVELY TO GOK REQUEST. OUR PREFERENCES WOULD BE AS FOLLOWS: (1) JACKSON FIVE OR (2) SIMILAR ROCK GROUP WHICH WOULD BE ABLE TO COME TO KENYA ON DATES REQUESTED.
LIMITED OFFICIAL USE
LIMITED OFFICIAL USE
PAGE 02 NAIROB 04497 110756Z
3. WHILE WE APPRECIATE FUNDING PROBLEM CREATED BY COMMITMENT TO DUKE ELLINGTON (ON WHICH WE WERE NOT CONSULTED), WE WOULD STRONGLY URGE DEPARTMENT TO SEEK FUNDING TO SUPPORT TYPE PARTICIPATION REQUESTED BY GOK FROM OTHER SOURCES OR, IF NECESSARY AND CONTRACTUALLY FEASIBLE, BY ELIMINATING KENYA PORTION OF ELLINGTON VISIT. WE ARE, THEREFORE, DEFERRING ACCEPTANCE ELLINGTON VISIT PROPOSED REF B.
4. FURTHER INDICATION OF EXTENT TO WHICH GOK COUNTING ON OUR PARTICIPATION WAS GIVEN YESTERDAY WHEN CHIEF OF PROTOCOL GACHUKIA SOUGHT OUT CHARGE' AT SOCIAL FUNCTION TO STATE GOK PLANNING COMMITTEE'S CONCERN OVER OUR LACK OF RESPONSE TO DATE ON JACKSON FIVE REQUEST. HE SAID THEY ARE COUNTING HEAVILY ON IT AND THAT KENYAN YOUTH WOULD BE PARTICULARLY DISAPPOINTED. CHARGE' REPLIED REQUEST STILL UNDER CONSIDERATION IN WASHINGTON AND THAT
HE WOULD ADVISE GACHUKIA AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. LINDSTROM
LIMITED OFFICIAL USE
NNN
AMERICA DAYS CULTURAL PRESENTATION
Date:1973 July 27, 22:22 (Friday) Canonical ID:1973STATE148486_b
Original Classification:UNCLASSIFIED Current Classification:UNCLASSIFIED
Handling Restrictions:-- N/A or Blank -- Character Count:1337
Executive Order:-- N/A or Blank --
Locator:TEXT ONLINE
TAGS:SCUL - Social Affairs--Cultural Affairs Concepts:-- N/A or Blank --
Enclosure:-- N/A or Blank -- Type:TE
Office Origin:ORIGIN CU - Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs
Office Action:-- N/A or Blank -- Archive Status:Electronic Telegrams
From:Department of State Markings:Declassified/Released US Department of State EO Systematic Review 30 JUN 2005
To:Denmark Copenhagen | Finland Helsinki | Iceland Reykjavík | Norway Oslo | Sweden Stockholm
1. ALTHOUGH JEFFERSON AIRPLANE ARTISTICALLY QUALIFIED OTHER NEGATIVE CONSIDERATIONS WOULD PRECLUDE EMBASSY SPONSORSHIP.
2. MADAME NINON KARLWEIS PRESENTLY IN EUROPE BOOKING TOUR
FOR GREGORY'S MANHATTAN PROJECT. SHE CAN BE REACHED AT OFFICE ARTISTIQUE INTERNATIONAL, 52 AVE. DES CHAMPS ELYSEES, PARIS (8).
3. GEORGE WEIN, BOOKING AGENT FOR JAZZ GROUPS HAS SEVERAL APPROPRIATE GROUPS IN EUROPE UNDER NEWPORT JAZZ FESTIVAL LABEL SEPT. - NOVEMBER 1973. FOR EXAMPLE B.B. KING IS SCHEDULED PERFORM IN HELSINKI OCT. 27. DUKE ELLINGTON
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 02 STATE 148486
WILL BE IN MALMO, SWEDEN ON OCT. 25. IF INTERESTED IN JAZZ GROUPS, SUGGEST SPONSOR CONTACT WEIN DIRECTLY AT 33 RIVERSIDE DRIVE, NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10023 OR CABLE WEINMUZIK, NEW YORK. ROGERS
UNCLASSIFIED
NNN
CU/CP: DUKE ELLINGTON AND ORCHESTRA
Date:1973 October 15, 16:31 (Monday) Canonical ID:1973STATE203803_b
Original Classification:CONFIDENTIAL Current Classification:UNCLASSIFIED
Handling Restrictions:-- N/A or Blank -- Character Count:573
Executive Order:GS Locator:TEXT ON MICROFILM,TEXT ONLINE
TAGS:ETRD - Economic Affairs--Foreign Trade | OEXC - Operations--Educational and Cultural Exchange Operations | PDIP - Political Affairs--Diplomatic and Consular Representation | UR - Soviet Union (USSR) | US - United States Concepts:DIPLOMATIC COMMUNICATIONS
Enclosure:TEXT ON MICROFILM Type:TE
Office Origin:ORIGIN CU - Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs
Office Action:-- N/A or Blank -- Archive Status:Electronic Telegrams
From:Department of State | STATE EUR CU Markings:Declassified/Released US Department of State EO Systematic Review 30 JUN 2005
To:Ethiopia Addis Ababa | Zambia Lusaka
LIMITED CU/CP FUNDS AVAILABLE IF EMB PLANNING REPRESENTATION FUNCTION. PROVIDE JUSTIFICATION. KISSINGER
UNCLASSIFIED
NNN
CULTURAL PRESENTATION TO ZAMBIA; DUKE ELLINGTON ORCHESTRA
Date:1973 October 9, 12:11 (Tuesday) Canonical ID:1973LUSAKA01836_b
Original Classification:LIMITED OFFICIAL USE Current Classification:UNCLASSIFIED
Handling Restrictions:-- N/A or Blank -- Character Count:1973
Executive Order:-- N/A or Blank -- Locator:TEXT ONLINE
TAGS:OEXC - Operations--Educational and Cultural Exchange Operations | ZA - Zambia Concepts:-- N/A or Blank --
Enclosure:-- N/A or Blank -- Type:TE
Office Origin:-- N/A or Blank --
Office Action:ACTION CU - Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Archive Status:Electronic Telegrams
From:Zambia Lusaka Markings:Declassified/Released US Department of State EO Systematic Review 30 JUN 2005
To:Department of State | Secretary of State | United States Information Agency
1. EMBASSY DEEPLY GRATEFUL ELLINGTON VISIT CONFIRMED.
2. HAVE HELD INITIAL DISCUSSIONS WITH GRZ OFFICIALS REGARDING PROGRAM POSSIBILITIES AND ELLINGTON ACTIVITIES. GRZ ACCEPTS ALL CONDITIONS AS OUTLINED REF B. ELLINGTON AND ORCHESTRA TO BE CONSIDERED OFFICIAL GUESTS OF GRZ AND GIVEN VIP TREATMENT. ON BASIS THREE-CONCERT SCHEDULE AS PROPOSED BY DEPT TENTATIVE PROGRAM OUTLINE EMERGING AS FOLLOWS:
NOV 23 OUTDOOR CONCERT IN LUSAKA
NOV 24 LATE AM FLY TO LIVINGSTONE FOR CONCERT PM FLY TO NDOLA FOR EVENING CONCERT
NOV 25 RETURN TO LUSAKA
3. GRZ OFFICIALS HAVE PROPOSED THAT DEPT CONSIDER RESCHEDULING DUKE'S NOV 25 DEPARTURE AS FOLLOWS IN ORDER HAVE ZAMBIAN
LIMITED OFFICIAL USE
LIMITED OFFICIAL USE
PAGE 02 LUSAKA 01836 101124Z
COMMAND PERFORMANCE SUNDAY AFTERNOON AT STATE HOUSE:
NOV 25 DEP LUSAKA 2050 AZ 857
NOV 26 ARR ROME 0805
NOV 26 DEPT ROME 0905 AZ 282
NOV 26 ARR LONDON 1125
4. POST ENTHUSIASTICALLY SUPPORTS THIS PROPOSAL. FIRST, ORCHESTRA TRAVEL MORE CONCENTRATED AND WITHOUT SEVEN-HOUR LAYOVER ENROUTE NOW SCHEDULED IN NAIROBI. SECOND, SUNDAY ONLY OPPORTUNITY SCHEDULE STATE HOUSE PERFORMANCE FOR PRESIDENT KAUNDA. ALTHOUGH KAUNDA NOT SAME GENERATION AS EMPEROR SELASSIE PERSONAL MEETING AND OPPORTUNITY FOR EXCHANGE BETWEEN ELLINGTON AND KAUNDA INVALUABLE TO ENTIRE MISSION OBJECTIVES.
5. FYI: POST HAS ALREADY MADE TENTATIVE BOOKINGS WITH MR. MICHELLO, LUSAKA OFFICE ZAMBIA AIRWAYS. END FYI.
NELSON
LIMITED OFFICIAL USE
NNN
CU/CP: DUKE ELLINGTON AND ORCHESTRA
Date:1973 November 23, 09:40 (Friday) Canonical ID:1973NAIROB08006_b
Original Classification:UNCLASSIFIED Current Classification:UNCLASSIFIED
Handling Restrictions:-- N/A or Blank -- Character Count:541
Executive Order:-- N/A or Blank -- Locator:TEXT ONLINE
TAGS:ELLINGTON, DUKE | KE - Kenya | SCUL - Social Affairs--Cultural Affairs Concepts:CULTURAL PRESENTATIONS | MUSIC
Enclosure:-- N/A or Blank -- Type:TE
Office Origin:-- N/A or Blank --
Office Action:ACTION CU - Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Archive Status:Electronic Telegrams
From:Kenya Nairobi Markings:Declassified/Released US Department of State EO Systematic Review 30 JUN 2005
To:Secretary of State | Zambia Lusaka
ELLINGTON AND ORCHESTRA'S ETA NOVEMBER 23, 1973 AT 18:20 HRS. VIA QZ 515 FROM NAIROBI. ALL PERSONAL EFFECTS AND EQUIPMENT ACCOMPANYING ELLINGTON ON SAME FLIGHT.
LINDSTROM
UNCLASSIFIED
NNN
ELLINGTON AFRICAN TOUR
Date:1973 November 25, 20:12 (Sunday) Canonical ID:1973LUSAKA02128_b
Original Classification:UNCLASSIFIED Current Classification:UNCLASSIFIED
Handling Restrictions:-- N/A or Blank -- Character Count:2516Executive Order:-- N/A or Blank -- Locator:TEXT ONLINE
TAGS:ELLINGTON, DUKE | OEXC - Operations--Educational and Cultural Exchange Operations | ZA - Zambia Concepts:CULTURAL PRESENTATIONS
Enclosure:-- N/A or Blank -- Type:TE
Office Origin:-- N/A or Blank --
Office Action:ACTION CU - Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Archive Status:Electronic Telegrams
From:Zambia Lusaka Markings:Declassified/Released US Department of State EO Systematic Review 30 JUN 2005
To:Department of State | Department of State Bureau of International Information Programs | Secretary of State | United Kingdom London
STATE FOR CU
ATTN: IBS COVERAGE DESK AND AFRICAN DIVISION HEINTZEN PASS IPS AFRICAN BRANCH.
LUSAKA, NOV 25 ... DEPARTURE TIME FROM ZAMBIA CAME TONIGHT (SUNDAY) FOR DUKE ELLINGTON AND HIS ORCHESTRA, WITH MIXED EMOTIONS ON THE PART OF ALL HANDS. THERE WAS DELIGHT AT HAVING VISITED THIS HEARTLAND NATION OF CENTRAL AFRICA -; BUT REGRET THAT THE TOUR WASN'T LONGER.
AS JOE BENJAMIN, FAMOUS BASSIST AND ARRANGER FOR THE BAND, PUT IT: "I'VE COME ATL THIS WAY AND HAVEN'T YET SEEN AN ELEPHANT. I GUESS I'LL HAVE TO COME BACK ON MY NEXT VACATION." THAT FAIRLY WELL EXPRESSED THE VIEWPOINT OF THE ENTIRE TROUPE - THE WISH TO RETURN AND SEE MORE OF THIS FASCINATING REPUBLIC.
THE BAND'S FINAL APPEARANCE WAS A LATE AFTERNOON COMMAND PERFORMANCE AT STATE HOUSE, THE OFFICIAL RESIDENCE OF DR. KENNETH KAUNDA, THE PRESIDENT OF ZAMBIA.
DR. KAUNDA, IN KINSHASA FOR THE EIGHTH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION OF ZAIRE PRESIDENT MOBUTU SESE SEKO'S ENTRY INTO OFFICE, WAS UNABLE TO RETURN TO LUSAKA IN TIME FOR THE CONCERT. HOWEVER,
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 02 LUSAKA 02128 250210Z
HIS WIFE, MRS. BETTY KAUNDA WAS PRESENT TO HEAR THE FABULOUS ELLINGTON VERSION OF AMERICAN JAZZ. ALSO ON HAND TO REPRESENT THE PRESIDENT IN WELCOMING THE DISTINGUISHED GUEST LIST WAS THE SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE UNITED NATIONAL INDEPENDENCE PARTY, MR. GREY ZULU AND THE PRIME MINISTER OF ZAMBIA, MR. MAINZA CHONA.
THE SPENIAL PROGRAM OPENED WITH THE NATIONAL ANTHEMS OF THE TWO COUNTRIES, FOLLOWED BY A BRIEF EXPRESSION OF APPRECIATION BY THE AMERICAN AMBASSADOR JEAN M. WILKOWSKI. FROM THAT POINT ON, DUKE ELLINGTON AND HIS MEN TOOK OVER AND ENTHRALLED THE GATHERING ASSEMBLED ON THE STATE HOUSE LAWN.
AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE PERFORMANCE, THE DUKE MADE A PRESENTATION OF A SPECIALLY BOUND COPY OF HIS NEW BOOK "MUSIC IS MY MISTRESS" TO THE SECRETARY GENERAL, ASKING THAT MR. ZULU TURN THE BOOK OVER TO PRESIDENT KAUNDA UPON HIS RETURN.
THE ORCHESTRA WENT DIRECTLY FROM STATE HOUSE TO THE AIRPORT AND A TAKE OFF AT 2135 HOURS SUNDAY NIGHT. ONLY THREE DAYS WERE ALLOTED TO THE ZAMBIA SCHEDULE, BUT THEY WERE THREE DAYS THAT THIS NATION WILL NEVER FORGET. ITEM. USIS LUSAKA.
LEWIS
UNCLASSIFIED
NNN
DEATH OF DUKE ELLINGTON
Date:1974 May 30, 09:10 (Thursday) Canonical ID:1974LUSAKA01054_b
Original Classification:UNCLASSIFIED Current Classification:UNCLASSIFIED
Handling Restrictions:-- N/A or Blank -- Character Count:1727
Executive Order:-- N/A or Blank -- Locator:TEXT ON MICROFILM,TEXT ONLINE
TAGS:CDES - Consular Affairs--Death and Estates | ELLINGTON, DUKE Concepts:-- N/A or Blank --
Enclosure:-- N/A or Blank -- Type:TE
Office Origin:-- N/A or Blank --
Office Action:ACTION CU - Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Archive Status:Electronic Telegrams
From:Zambia Lusaka Markings:Declassified/Released US Department of State EO Systematic Review 30 JUN 2005
To:Department of State | Secretary of State | United States Information Agency
1. PLEASE PASS TO FAMILY OF DUKE ELLINGTON FOLLOWING MESSAGE WHICH I HAVE RECEIVED FROM PRESIDENT KAUNDA:
"YOUR EXCELLENCY.,
" WE HAVE LEARNT WITH DEEP SORROW THE UNTIMELY DEATH OF DUKE ELLINGTON ONE OF THE WORLD S GREATEST JAZZ MUSICIANS.
"IT IS PARTICULARLY PAINFUL TO US IN ZAMBIA WHEN WE RECALL THE LATE DUKE S TOUCHING MUSICAL PERFORMANCE LAST NOVEMBER. THOUGH, I PERSONALLY HAD NO CHANCE TO LISTEN TO HIS INSPIRING VOICE WHEN HE WAS KIND ENOUGH TO ENTERTAIN MY COLLEAGUES IN STATE HOUSE, THOSE OF MY FELLOW COUNTRYMEN WHO ATTENDED, WERE OVERWHELMED BY HIS MUSIC. I SHOULD ADD HERE THAT EVERY SINCE THAT TIME I HAVE FEARED I HAD MISSED THE ONLY OPPORTUNITY TO COME MY WAY OF SEEING HIM. I CANNOT RECOVER FROM THIS. I HAVE ALWAYS ADMIRED HIM.
"I WISH THEREFORE TO SEND THROUGH YOUR EXCELLENCY OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHIES TO THE FAMILY, FRIENDS AND RELATIVES OF THE DECEASED. PLEASE DO LET THEM KNOW THAT WE SHARE WITH THEM THE GRIEF AND THAT WE SHALL ALWAYS CHERISH THE HAPPY MEMORIES OF THE DUKE S INVALUABLE CONTRIBUTION TO THE WORLD OF MUSIC.
"YOURS SINCERELY"
"KENNETH DAVID KAUNDA, PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA"
2. I HAVE CHECKED WITH THE PRESIDENT S SPECIAL ASSISTANT
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 02 LUSAKA 01054 300939Z
WHO SAYS THAT STATE HOUSE HAS NO OBJECTION TO ANY PUBLICITY WHICH THE FAMILY OF ELLINGTON OR THE US GOVERNMENT
MAY WISH TO GIVE TO THIS MESSAGE.
WILKOWSKI
UNCLASSIFIED
NNN
It looks as if the band flew all night, changing planes in Rome, and arriving in London in the late morning. They then began their tour of England with a Royal Command Variety Performance that day...
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Delta, BC, Canada