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The Biggest Show of 1951

Last updated 2022-04-10

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From September 21, 1951 until the end of November, Ellington and his orchestra, together with Sarah Vaughan and the Nat King Cole trio, headlined a touring vaudeville (variety) show called The Biggest Show of 1951.

The show included a dance troupe led by Marie Bryant, tap dancer Clayton "Peg Leg" Bates, comedian Timothy Ancrum as Timmie Rogers, the team of James Cross and either Eddie Hartman or Harold Cromer as Stump_and_Stumpy, and the team of Patterson & Jackson.

While the Ellington orchestra did not participate in the two 1952 Biggest Shows tours, the souvenir programme for the third tour (late 1952) described the Biggest Show concept:

'The Story of the Biggest Shows

"The Biggest Show's" [sic] were conceived and planned on the super market idea – big volume, lower prices. The first package consisted of Nat "King" Cole, Sarah Vaughan, Duke Ellington and his orchestra, Timmie Rogers, Peg Leg Bates, Stump and Stumpy, Paterson & Jackson and the Marie Bryant Dancers. Here is a show which, if presented on an individual act basis, would normally demand three times the usual admission price if only to break even. The immediate success of this presentation proved that the public is just as receptive to a show business bargain as it is to one in food, clothing or anything else...'

This 1951 tour was the last work Cress Courtney of the Moe Gale Agency organized for Ellington before Duke signed with Joe Glaser's American Booking Corp.

The show, a big hit, was reported to have grossed nearly $1,000,000, against expenses of $24,000/week.

1951

Date of event	Ending date (if different)	City/ Other place	Venue	Event/People	Primary Reference	New Desor reference	DEMS reference	Other references	Contact person	Date added / updated
September 1951
1951 09 21 Friday	1951 09 23	Boston, Mass.	Boston Garden	Variety show "Biggest Show of 1951" First of three nights here Beginning of the "Biggest Show of 1951" tour. Headliners were Ellington and his orchestra, Sarah Vaughan and Nat King Cole's trio. Others were Marie Bryant and her dance troupe Stump and Stumpy Patterson & Jackson Peg Leg Bates Timmie Rogers Billboard carried a story dated Oct. 6 1951 saying the show, costing $24,000/week, was initially set for three weeks with additional dates pencilled in that were subject to cancellation. The Oct. 6 story said, however, it was now a go-ahead to run until the end of November, and that it would probably run through the South and part of the Midwest, but not west of the Rockies. In contrast, Variety Oct. 3 said the unit was "booked solid until Dec. 5 when it will close in the Mid-West." Homzy's liner notes quote Bellson: After I was in the band for a couple of months, Duke said, "We're going to make a tour down South to do a show with Sarah Vaughan and the Nat 'King' Cole Trio." I said, "OK," and he said, "Do you know what that means?" I was puzzled, so Duke said, "I can't find another drummer who can do what you do, so I'm going to make you a Hiatian." And I said, "I'm ready to play music, no matter what." So I became a fair-skinned Haitian, and I stayed with the band wherever we went. Billboard says the show was being sold for $4,000 to $5,000 a day, depending on house capacity and day of the week. This suggests the risk of profit or loss is to the venue owner, who would be entitled to the entire ticket revenue. Billboard reports the Boston Garden revenue after tax was $18,000 over the three days. Nat King Cole commented on playing in arenas in Billboard, 1951-12-22, p.44	Stratemann, p.329, citing Billboard 1951-10-13 p.1 Variety 1951-08-08 p.52 Variety 1951-10-03 p.51 Photo collage, Baltimore Afro-American, 1951-09-22, p.11 Billboard 1951-11-03 p.24 Andrew Homzy, liner notes to "Duke Ellington and His Orchestra at The Crystal Gardens, Salem, Oregon, 1952," HEP CD 92/93	.	08,3-9	.	djp	added 2011 updated 2013-04-22
1951 09 22 Saturday	.	Boston, Mass.	Boston Garden	Biggest Show Of 1951 - see 1951 09 21	.	.	.	.	.	added 2011
1951 09 23 Sunday	.	Boston, Mass.	Boston Garden	Biggest Show Of 1951 - see 1951 09 21	.	.	.	.	djp	added 2011 updated 2013-03-30
1951 09 24 Monday	.	Worcester, Mass.	Memorial Auditorium	Biggest Show Of 1951 - see 1951 09 21 - played to audience of 4,200, ticket sales $8,460	Stratemann p.329 citing Variety 1951-10-03 p.51 Billboard 1951-10-13 p.1	.	.	.	djp	added 2011 updated 2013-03-30
1951 09 25 Tuesday	.	Providence, R.I.	Rhode Island Auditorium	Biggest Show Of 1951 - see 1951 09 21 - 6,100 in audience, ticket sales $10,450	Stratemann p.329 citing Variety 1951-10-03 p.51 Billboard 1951-10-13 p.1	.	.	.	djp	added 2011 updated 2013-03-30
1951 09 26 Wednesday	.	Troy, N.Y.	Troy Armory	Biggest Show Of 1951 - see 1951 09 21 - 4,400 in audience, ticket sales $5,400 Local promoter Ted Bayly had the drill shed set to hold 5,800 but Variety understood he made a profit anyway. Ticket prices per Variety were $1.75 to $2.75. Sarah Vaughan's car broke down so she didn't perform this night	Stratemann p.329 citing Variety 1951-10-03 p.52 Billboard 1951-10-13 p.1	.	.	.	djp	added 2011 updated 2013-03-30
1951 09 27 Thursday 8:30 pm	.	Newark, N.J.	Mosque Theatre 1020 Broad St.	Biggest Show Of 1951 - see 1951 09 21 Gate $8,620, Tickets: $1.50, $1.80, $2.40, $3.00, $3.60, $4.20	Stratemann p.329 citing Billboard 1951-10-13 p.51 Billboard 1951-10-13 p.1 Announcement and ad, Westfield, N.J., Leader, 1951-09-20p.23	.	.	.	djp	added 2011 updated 2013-04-01
1951 09 28 Friday	.	New York, N.Y.	Carnegie Hall	Two sold-out performances of the Biggest Show Of 1951 - see 1951 09 21 The fire department authorized 100 standees; the ticket price was $4.80, ticket revenue was $17,000 for the two shows Stratemann provides a short summary of the 8 paragraph favourable review by Variety. The Oct. 1 New York Times review reprinted in The Charleston Gazette says the band opened the festivities at about 7:45 and then became backdrop and accompaniment for The Marie Bryant Dancers, Patterson and Jackson, Peg Leg Bates, Nat King Cole and his trio, Stump and Stumpy and Timmie Rogers and Sarah Vaughan. The first show was over about 3 hours after it started; the lobby was already crowded with those waiting for the second show; while usherettes were clearing the house, the band was practicing a new finale and runners were out getting food for the performers. "At 11 P.M. the day's work was only half done."	Stratemann p.329 citing Variety 1951-10-03, p.52 Billboard 1951-10-13 p.1 The Charleston Gazette 1951-10-04, p.7	.	.	.	djp	added 2011 updated 2013-11-19
1951 09 29 Saturday	.	Norfolk, Va.	Municipal Auditorium	Two performances of the Biggest Show Of 1951 - see 1951 09 21 Ticket sales $14,348	Stratemann p.329 citing Billboard 1951-10-13 p.1	.	.	.	djp	added 2011 updated 2013-03-30
1951 09 30 Sunday	.	Richmond, Va.	Mosque Auditorium	Two sold-out performances of the Biggest Show Of 1951 - see 1951 09 21 Ticket sales $13,009 for the two shows	Stratemann p.329 citing Billboard 1951-10-13 p.1 Richmond Times-Dispatch, 1951-10-14, p.16B	.	.	.	djp	added 2011 updated 2013-03-30 and 2013-09-07
October 1951
1951 10 01 Monday	.	Baltimore, Md.	Colosseum	Biggest Show Of 1951 - see 1951 09 21 Ticket sales $8,500 The Oct.6 Baltimore Afro-American carried a picture of Ellington, Cole, local disc jockey Chuck Richards and NAACP membership campaign officials Gertrude Gorman and John Flamer, saying Ellington and Cole endorse the current membership campaign.	Stratemann p.329 citing Billboard 1951-10-13 p.1 Baltimore Afro-American, 1951-10-06, p.2	.	.	.	djp	added 2011 updated 2013-03-30
1951 10 02 Tuesday	1951 10 03	Philadelphia, Penn.	Arena	Biggest Show Of 1951 - see 1951 09 21 - first of two nights	Stratemann p.329 citing Variety 1951-09-12 p.62 Billboard 1951-10-13 p.1	.	.	.	djp	added 2011 updated 2013-03-30
1951 10 03 Wednesday	.	Philadelphia, Penn.	Arena	Biggest Show Of 1951 - see 1951 09 21 - second night Ticket sales for the two nights, $18,341	Billboard 1951-10-13 p.1	.	.	.	djp	added 2011 updated 2013-03-30
1951 10 04 Thursday 8:30 pm	.	New Haven, Conn.	New Haven Arena	Biggest Show Of 1951 - see 1951 09 21 Ticket sales $7,000 Prices: $1.00 general admission $2.00 & $3.00, reserved	Stratemann p.329 citing Billboard 1951-10-13 p.1 Ads: Naugatuck (Conn.) News: 1951-09-25, p.9 1951-10-03 p.4 The Bridgeport (Conn.) Sunday Post: 1951-09-23, p.B-8 1951-09-30, p.B-9 The Bridgeport Telegram 1951-09-23 1951-09-30	.	.	.	djp	added 2011 updated 2013-03-30
1951 10 05 Friday	.	White Plains, N.Y.	Westchester County Center	Biggest Show Of 1951 - see 1951 09 21 Ticket sales $9,000	Stratemann p.329 citing Billboard 1951-11-03 p.24	.	.	.	djp	added 2011 updated 2013-03-30
1951 10 06 Saturday	.	Springfield, Mass.	Municipal Auditorium	Biggest Show Of 1951 - see 1951 09 21 Ticket sales $8,600	Stratemann p.329 citing Billboard 1951-11-03 p.24	.	.	.	djp	added 2011 updated 2013-03-30
1951 10 07 Sunday 2:45 and 8:45 pm	.	Montr�al, P.Q.	Montreal Forum	Two performances in the 15,000 seat Forum The Biggest Show of '51 Ellington's orchestra with the Nat King Cole Trio, Sarah Vaughan and a "collection of assorted comics and dancers" — Marie Bryant leading the dancers, vaudevillian Peg Leg Bates, comedian Timmie Rogers, comedians Stump and Stumpy and comedians Patterson and Jackson. Ticket sales $25,000	Announcement, The News and Eastern Townships Advocate, St. Johns, PQ, 1951-09-27, p.12 Review, Montreal Gazette, 1951-10-08, p.10 Stratemann p.329 citing Billboard 1951-11-03 p.24	.	.	.	djp	added 2011 updated 2013-03-30
1951 10 08 Monday	.	Ottawa, Ont.	Auditorium	Biggest Show Of 1951 - see 1951 09 21 Ticket sales $4,200 here.	Stratemann p.329 citing Variety 1951-10-10 p.62 Billboard 1951-11-03 p.24	.	.	.	djp	added 2011 updated 2013-03-30
1951 10 09 Tuesday	.	Kingston, Ont.	Community Auditorium	Biggest Show Of 1951 - see 1951 09 21 Ticket sales $7,500	Stratemann p.329 citing Billboard 1951-11-03 p.24	.	.	.	djp	added 2011 updated 2013-03-30
1951 10 10 Wednesday	.	Toronto, Ont.	Maple Leaf Gardens	Biggest Show Of 1951 - see 1951 09 21 Ticket sales $13,000	Stratemann p.329 citing Billboard 1951-11-03 p.24	.	.	.	djp	added 2011 updated 2013-03-30
1951 10 11 Thursday	.	Kitchener, Ont.	Memorial Auditorium	Biggest Show Of 1951 - see 1951 09 21 Ticket sales $9,800	Stratemann p.329 citing Billboard 1951-11-03 p.24	.	.	.	djp	added 2011 updated 2013-03-30
1951 10 12 Friday	.	London, Ont.	London Arena	Biggest Show Of 1951 - see 1951 09 21 Ticket sales $7,800	Stratemann p.329 citing Billboard 1951-11-03 p.24	.	.	.	djp	added 2011 updated 2013-03-30
1951 10 13 Saturday	.	Buffalo, N.Y.	Memorial Auditorium	Biggest Show Of 1951 - see 1951 09 21 Ticket sales $13,500	Stratemann p.329 citing Billboard 1951-11-03 p.24	.	.	.	djp	added 2011 updated 2013-03-30
1951 10 14 Sunday 8:30 pm	.	Syracuse, N.Y.	Onondaga County War Memorial	Biggest Show Of 1951 - see 1951 09 21 Presented by "Syracuse Nats" Ticket sales $12,500 Prices $1.00, $1.50, $2.00, $2.50 The War Memorial building was newly built, opening the previous month.	Announcements: Syracuse Post-Standard, 1951-09-30, p.17 Syracuse Herald-American, 1951-11-14, p.29 Ads: Syracuse Herald-American, 1951-09-30, p.33 Syracuse Post-Standard: 1951-09-23, p.18 1951-10-07, 9p.20, 28 1951-10-09 p.16 1951-09-30, p.16 "Dis and Dat" review, Marcellus N.Y. Observer 1951-10-19 p4 Stratemann p.329 citing Billboard 1951-11-03 p.24	.	.	.	djp	added 2011 updated 2013-04-20
1951 10 15 Monday	.	Rochester, N.Y.	Edgerton Park	Biggest Show Of 1951 - see 1951 09 21 Ticket sales $9,000	Stratemann p.329 citing Billboard 1951-11-03 p.24	.	.	.	djp	added 2011 updated 2013-03-30
1951 10 16 Tuesday	.	Cleveland, Oh.	Main Arena	Biggest Show Of 1951 - see 1951 09 21 Ticket sales $15,000 (Variety announced the package show was booked at the Public Auditorium.)	Variety 1951-09-05, p.59 Stratemann p.329 citing Billboard 1951-11-03 p.24	.	.	Joe Mosbrook	djp	added 2011 updated 2013-04-22
1951 10 17 Wednesday	.	Cincinnati, Oh.	The Gardens	Biggest Show Of 1951 - see 1951 09 21 Ticket sales $14,811 for an audience of 8,849	Stratemann p.329 citing Billboard 1951-10-27 p.55 1951-11-03 p.24 1951-10-27 p.55	.	.	.	djp	added 2011 updated 2013-03-30
1951 10 18 Thursday 8:30 pm	.	Charleston, W.Va.	Municipal Auditorium	Biggest Show Of 1951 - see 1951 09 21 Ticket sales $7,500 Prices: Balcony: $2.50 Mezzanine: $4.00 Main floor: $3.00 $3.50 $4.00 (The Gorby Music Shop ad shows Ellington and Vaughan's names and lists their records it carries, but does not mention Cole.)	Charleston Gazette ads: 1951-09-23 p.22 1951-09-26 p.7 1951-09-30, p.37 1951-10-12 p.5 1951-10-16, p.7 1951-10-17, p.7 (Galperin Music) 1951-10-17 p.16 (Gorby's Music Shop) Announcement, Charleston Gazette, 1951-10-18, p.19 Review, Emotional Jazz,Vaudeville Touch Delight Ellington, Cole Devotees, Charleston Gazette, 1951-10-19 p.15 Stratemann p.329 citing Billboard 1951-11-03 p.24	.	.	.	djp	added 2011 updated 2013-04-01
1951 10 19 Friday	.	Pittsburgh, Penn.	Arena	Biggest Show Of 1951 - see 1951 09 21 Ticket sales $16,000	Stratemann p.329 citing Billboard 1951-11-03 p.24	.	.	.	djp	added 2011 updated 2013-03-30
1951 10 20 Saturday 8:30 PM	.	Scranton, Penn.	Sports Arena	Biggest Show Of 1951 - see 1951 09 21 CYC (Scranton) Sat. nite The Greatest Show Ever Duke Ellington Nat King Cole Sarah Vaughan with 52 famous stars Prices: $1.80, $2.50, $3.50 Ticket sales $6,000	Ad, Binghamton Press, 1951-10-18, p.26 Stratemann p.329 citing Billboard 1951-11-03 p.24	.	.	.	djp	added 2011 updated 2013-03-30
1951 10 21 Sunday	.	Washington, D.C.	National Guard Armory 2001 East Capitol Street The Biggest Show of '51 ticket	Two performances Biggest Show Of 1951 - see 1951 09 21 "Net take" about $25,000	Stratemann p.329 citing Billboard 1951-11-03 p.24 Variety 1951-140-17 p.62 Email Lasker-Palmquist re ticket on eBay	.	.	.	djp	Added 2011 updated 2013-03-30 2022-04-10
1951 10 22 Monday	.	Roanoke, Va.	Municipal Auditorium	Biggest Show Of 1951 - see 1951 09 21 Ticket sales $7,000	Stratemann p.329 citing Billboard 1951-11-03 p.24	.	.	.	djp	added 2011 updated 2013-03-30
1951 10 23 Tuesday 8:30 pm	.	Richmond, Va.	Mosque Auditorium	Biggest Show Of 1951 - see 1951 09 21 Return engagement Ticket sales $6,000 "RICHMOND, Va.�(ANP)�Nat King Cole and his trio, Duke Ellington and his orchestra, songstress Sarah Vaughan and other top performers in the musical world comprising the cast of the Biggest Show of '51" will appear in a return engagement at the Mosqu[illegible] Tuesday night, October 23. So popular was the group, on [illegible] original appearance here, September 30 for two shows-that the demand for tickets was greater than available seats in the large theatre. Thousands were tuned away. Only one show will be given Oct.23 a full three hours of entertainment, to begin at 8:30 P. M. All seats will be reserved."	Stratemann p.329 citing Billboard 1951-11-03 p.24 ANP wirestory datelined Richmond, Va.:Biggest Show To Return to Richmond, Memphis World, 1951-10-19 Richmond Times-Dispatch, 1951-10-14, p.16B	.	.	.	djp	added 2011 updated 2013-03-31
1951 10 24 Wednesday	.	Raleigh, N.C.	.	Biggest Show Of 1951 - see 1951 09 21 Ticket sales $12,000	Stratemann p.329 citing Billboard 1951-11-03 p.24 Short Notes, The Rocky Mount Sunday Telegram, Rocky Mount, N.C., 1951-10-28, p.3A	.	.	.	djp	added 2011 updated 2013-04-01
1951 10 25 Thursday	.	Columbia, S.C.	Municipal Auditorium	Biggest Show Of 1951 - see 1951 09 21 Ticket sales $8,000	Stratemann p.329 citing Billboard 1951-11-03 p.24	.	.	.	djp	added 2011 updated 2013-03-30
1951 10 26 Friday	.	Atlanta, Ga.	City Auditorium	Biggest Show Of 1951 - see 1951 09 21 Racial matters Jim Crow reared his ugly head here. The Auditorium management enforced a long-unobserved state law requiring racially separated entrances for public meeting places, and police told "colored" people they had to use the back door. The Afro-American reported that about 1,000 patrons tore up their tickets in protest. The A-A reports "more than 4,000 crowded in to see and hear Duke Ellington, Sarah Vaughan and Nat (King) Cole" and "there were 1,500 white record fans with a great big section all to themselves." The local promoter is quoted as saying he had no advance knowledge of the door arrangements, which was new to Atlanta. The arena manager "readily admitted that he made the arrangement, but he was acting on the orders of the City Council Auditorium Committee." The article goes on to say the white members with Ellington and Cole were allowed to perform, contrasting with Birmingham, where the Police Commissioner told white musicians they could not play on a stage with colored musicians.	Ellington, Cole and Vaughan at City Auditorium Tonight, Atlanta Daily World, 1951-10-26 Ellington Plays As Atlantans Enter Back Door, Baltimore Afro-American 1951-11-03, p.3	.	.	.	N.Fernandez, djp	added 2013-04-10 updated 2022-04-10
1951 10 27 Saturday	.	.	.	activities not documented	.	.	.	.	.	.
1951 10 28 Sunday	.	.	.	activities not documented	.	.	.	.	.	.
1951 10 29 Monday 8:30 pm	.	New Orleans, La.	Municipal Auditorium	Biggest Show Of 1951 - see 1951 09 21 Segregated - tickets advertised as Choice Orchestra Seats for White Patrons ... $3.50, $2.75 including tax. The review describes the show fairly well, and mentions that Ellington changed clothes between almost every number.	Times-Picayune, New Orleans: Ad, 1951-10-23, p.12 Ad and publicity, 1951-10-25, p.30 Ad, 1951-10-28, p.10 Publicity, 1951-10-29 p.12 Ad, 1951-10-29 p.34 Review, 1951-10-30, p.10	.	.	.	djp	added 2013-09-06
1951 10 30 Tuesday	.	Houston, Tex.	.	Biggest Show Of 1951 - see 1951 09 21 In Houston on Oct. 3, both will play the same night, so the box office figures should be something to watch on this date.	Stratemann p.329 citing Down Beat 1951-11-02 Fairfax Nisbet, 'Chatterbox,' Dallas Morning News, 1951-10-13, p.6, pt.II	.	.	.	.	added 2011 updated 2013-09-07
1951 10 31 Wednesday	.	.	.	activities not documented	.	.	.	.	.	.
1951 fall a	.	U.S.A.	.	Telecast with Ray Block Orchestra	.	DE5125	.	.	.	2011
1951 fall b	.	U.S.A.	.	Telecast �Benay Venuta Show�	.	DE5126	00,2-18	.	.	2011
November 1951
1951 11 01 Thursday	.	.	.	activities not documented	.	.	.	.	.	.
1951 11 02 Friday	.	.	.	activities not documented	.	.	.	.	.	.
1951 11 03 Saturday 8 pm and 11 pm	.	Dallas, Tex.	State Fair Auditorium	Biggest Show of 1951 - see 1951 09 21 Two performances Initally planned to be two segregated concerts, whites first and then blacks, plans changed to allow separate seating in the white concert for blacks, and vice versa in the black concert. Prices - Lower Floor $3.60, $3.00; Balcony, $3.00, $2.40, $1.20, including tax. Box office to open at 9 a.m.	Dallas Morning News Chatterbox column by Fairfax Nisbet, 1951-10-13, p.6, pt.II Ad and mention, 1951-10-26, Pt. I, p.17 Publicity - article and photos, 1951-10-28, Pt.IV, front page Events of the Week, 1951-10-28, Pt.IV,p.2 Publicity, 1951-11-03, Pt.II, p.4 Review, 1951-11-04, Pt.I p.10	.	.	.	djp	added 2013-09-06
1951 11 04 Sunday	.	.	.	activities not documented	.	.	.	.	.	.
1951 11 05 Monday	.	.	.	activities not documented	.	.	.	.	.	.
1951 11 06 Tuesday	.	.	.	activities not documented	.	.	.	.	.	.
1951 11 07 Wednesday 8:30 pm	.	Little Rock, Ark.	Robinson Memorial Auditorium	Biggest Show of 1951 - see 1951 09 21	Arkansas State Press, Little Rock, Ark. 1951-11-02 p 8 Observatory Comments by Earl Lee Davy, 1951-11-16, p.4	.	.	.	djp	added 2013-09-06
1951 11 08 Thursday	.	.	.	activities not documented	.	.	.	.	.	.
1951 11 09 Friday	.	.	.	activities not documented	.	.	.	.	.	.
1951 11 10 Saturday	.	St. Louis, Mo.	Convention Hall	Biggest Show Of 1951 - see 1951 09 21 Ellington was interviewed by a reporter for the Baltimore Afro-American. The published account of the interview created a public relations nightmare for Ellington.	Stratemann, p.330 citing DESB	.	.	.	djp	added 2011 updated 2013-03-27
1951 11 00	.	.	.	PERSONNEL CHANGE Nelson "Cadillac" Williams leaves the band	New Desor vol.2	djp	Added 2012-10-25
1951 11 11	.	.	.	PERSONNEL CHANGE Clark Terry, trumpet and fluegelhorn, born 1920, joins the band	New Desor vol.2	djp	Added 2012-10-25
1951 11 11 Sunday	.	Kansas City, Mo.	Municipal Auditorium	Biggest Show Of 1951 - see 1951 09 21 Clark Terry's autobiography describes his first night as a permanent band member, which he places in Kiel Auditorium, the new name for the St. Louis Municipal Auditorium on Remembrance Day. While his book tells us Ellington recruited him from Basie, and paid him to wait in St. Louis until the band arrived on Nov.11, the Maryville Daily Forum has the band playing in Kansas City on November 11, and the St. Louis date seems pretty certain to have been Nov.10. Terry describes playing this night, describing the routines performed by the other acts. Terry's date seems to be wrong.	What to See in Kansas City, The Maryville Daily Forum, 1951-11-06 p.2 Clark: The Autobiography of Clark Terry, Clark Terry, pp.128–132	.	.	.	djp	added 2013-03-31
1951 11 12 Monday 8:30 pm	.	Des Moines, Io.	KRNT Theatre	Biggest Show Of 1951 - see 1951 09 21	Anouncements: The Jefferson Herald, Jefferson, Io., 1951-10-25 p.6 The Jefferson Bee, 1951-10-30, p.2	.	.	.	djp	added 2013-04-01
1951 11 13 Tuesday	.	.	.	activities not documented	.	.	.	.	.	.
1951 11 14 Wednesday	.	.	.	activities not documented	.	.	.	.	.	.
1951 11 15 Thursday	.	.	.	PERSONNEL CHANGE Willie Cook, trumpet, joins the band	New Desor vol.2	djp	Added 2012-10-11
1951 11 15 Thursday	.	Ann Arbor, Mich.	University of Michigan	Biggest Show Of 1951 - see 1951 09 21 Part of this concert appears to have been recorded - three titles are listed in Timner - Love You Madly is on YouTube	Timner4, p.124	.	90,4-6	corr Timner-4/22	.	added 2011 updated 2013-03-28
1951 11 16 Friday	.	Troy, Oh.	Hobart Arena 255 Adams St.	Biggest Show Of 1951 - see 1951 09 21 Tickets: $1.50, $2.00, $3.00	The Lima News, Lima, Oh. Announcement, 1951-11-06, p.12 Ad, 1951-11-13, p.16 Ad, 1951-11-14, p.20	.	.	.	.	added 2013-03-28
1951 11 17 Saturday 7 pm and 9 pm	.	West Lafayette, Ind.	Purdue Hall of Music Purdue University campus	Two performances in this 6,005 seat theatre Biggest Show Of 1951 - see 1951 09 21	Announcement, Kokomo Tribune, 1951-11-12, p.9	.	.	.	.	added 2013-03-28
1951 11 18 Sunday	.	Chicago, Ill.	Civic Opera House	Biggest Show Of 1951 - see 1951 09 21 Two performances Opera House manager Herb Carlin announced a package of four concerts, Stan Kenton on Nov. 10 and 11, Billy Eckstine and George Shearing on Nov. 13, and this show on the 18th. Tickets were to be sold as a package or as singles. Ticket price $3.00 "tops" except this show, $3.50. The sales pitch would be aimed at "the juves" who find it too expensive to go to the niteries. Variety reported the show racked up $21,000 for these performances, sold out several days in advance. House manager Herb Carlin had to sell pit seats for the overflow.	Poster or ad reproduced in Vail II. Variety 1951-09-12 p.46 1951-11-21 p.40	.	.	.	djp	added 2011 updated 2013-04-23
1951 11 19 Monday	.	Davenport, Ia.	Masonic Auditorium	Biggest Show Of 1951 - see 1951 09 21	Vail II	.	.	.	djp	added 2013-03-29
1951 11 19 Monday	.	.	.	Peripheral event Variety announced Mercer Records had signed Billy Strayhorn to a recording contract as a bandleader. The first release would be an LP, with a group of Ellington sidemen.	Variety 1951-09-19 p.53.	.	Added 2013-04-22
1951 11 20 Tuesday 8:30 pm	.	Rochester, Minn.	Mayo Civic Auditorium	Biggest Show Of 1951 - see 1951 09 21 Tickets: $1.80, $2.40, $3.00, $3.60	Ads, The LaCrosse Tribune, LaCrosse, Wisc.: 1951-11-16, p.7 1951-11-18, p.21 The Winona Republican-Herald, Winona, Minn.: 1951-11-16, p.13 1951-11-19, p.9	.	.	.	djp	added 2013-04-01
1951 11 21 Wednesday	.	Minneapolis, Minn.	Municipal Auditorium	Biggest Show Of 1951 - see 1951 09 21	Vail II Variety 1951-10-31 p.41	.	.	.	djp	added 2011 updated 2013-03-27
1951 11 22 Thursday	.	Milwaukee, Wisc.	Milwaukee Arena	Biggest Show Of 1951 - see 1951 09 21 This was American Thanksgiving Day, and the streets were icy. Attendance was only about 4,500. Ellington delayed the start for half an hour to allow the seats to fill; when that didn't happen, he invited the audience to move closer.	Short announcement, Milwaukee Sentinel, 1951-10-23 Ad, Milwaukee Journal, 1951-11-22, p.5 Review, Milwaukee Journal, 1951-11-23 p.25	.	.	.	djp	added 2013-04-01
1951 11 23 Friday	.	.	.	activities not documented	.	.	.	.	.	.
1951 11 24 Saturday	.	.	.	activities not documented	.	.	.	.	.	.
1951 11 25 Sunday	.	Detroit, Mich.	Olympia Stadium	Biggest Show Of 1951 - see 1951 09 21 11,000 admissions, gross $26,490	Steve Hoffman Music Forums - "Nat King Cole Year by Year" Billboard, 1952-05-10 p.14 Baltimore Afro-American, 1951-12-01, p.19	.	.	.	djp, n.f.	added 2013-03-31
1951 11 26 Monday 8:30 pm	.	Canton, Oh.	Canton Memorial Auditorium	Biggest Show Of 1951 - see 1951 09 21 4,000 in attendance Tickets, $1.80, $2.40, $3.00 and $3.60 including tax	Announcement, The Evening Independent, Massillon, Oh., 1951-11-23 p.17 The Canton Repository, Canton, Oh. Subdued ad, 1951-11-26, p.14 Several brief mentions in the week before the show Review, 1951-11-27,p.26	.	.	.	.	added 2013-03-28 Updated 2013-09-06
1951 11 27 Tuesday 8:30 pm	.	Toledo, Oh.	Toledo Sports Arena One Main St.	Biggest Show Of 1951 - see 1951 09 21 Billboard reports "turned 'em away," indicating a sold out house Variety reported an audience of 4,900 and revenue of $9,800	Billboard 1952-01-12, p.50 Ads, Toledo Blade, 1951-11-24 The Lima News, 1951-11-26 p.22 Variety 1951-12-05 p.53	.	.	.	djp	added 2011 updated 2013-04-23
1951 11 28 Wednesday 7:30 & 10 PM	.	Columbus, Oh.	Memorial Hall	Two performances Biggest Show Of 1951 - see 1951 09 21 In a report from Columbus dated Dec. 4, Variety said this was the second last show of the tour, and reported $8,500 for the double show with top tickets priced at $3.80. An ad in the Zanesville paper shows ticket prices, including tax, were $2.00, $2.50, $3.10 and $3.60	Billboard 1951-11-17, p.50 Ad, The Marion Star, Marion, oh., 1951-11-20, p.17 Ad, Times-Recorder, Zanesville, Oh. 1951-11-21 p.11 Variety 1951-12-05 p.53 Plug, The Newark (O.) Advocate and American Tribune, 1951-11-21 p.7	.	.	.	djp	added 2011 updated 2013-04-23
1951 11 29 Thursday	.	Johnstown, Penn.	Cambria County War Memorial Arena 326 Napoleon St.	Biggest Show Of 1951 - see 1951 09 21 The Indiana Evening Gazette reported the War Memorial had been trying to book the show, but the troupe had such an heavy performance schedule that it was "only last week" they learned November 29 was available.	Announcements Bedford Gazette 1951-11-26 p.6 Indiana Evening Gazette 1951-11-26 p.9 Ad, Bedford (Mass.) Gazette, 1951-11-28	.	.	.	djp	added 2013-03-28
1951 11 30 Friday	.	.	.	activities not documented	.	.	.	.	.	.
1951 09 21 Friday	1951 09 23	Boston, Mass.	Boston Garden	Variety show Concert Biggest Show of 1951 First of three nights here Beginning of the "Biggest Show of 1951" tour. Headliners were Ellington and his orchestra, Sarah Vaughan and Nat King Cole's trio. Others were Marie Bryant and her dance troupe Stump and Stumpy Patterson & Jackson Peg Leg Bates Timmie Rogers	Stratemann, p.329, citing Billboard 1951-10-13 p.1 Variety 1951-08-08 p.52 Variety 1951-10-03 p.51	.	08,3-9	.	.	added 2011 updated 2013-03-27
1951 09 22 Saturday	.	Boston, Mass.	Boston Garden	Biggest Show Of 1951 - see 1951 09 21	.	.	.	.	.	added 2011
1951 09 23 Sunday	.	Boston, Mass.	Boston Garden	Biggest Show Of 1951 - see 1951 09 21	.	.	.	.	.	added 2011
1951 09 24 Monday	.	Worcester, Mass.	Memorial Auditorium	Biggest Show Of 1951 - see 1951 09 21 - played to audience of 4,200	Stratemann p.329 citing Variety 1951-10-03 p.51	.	.	.	.	added 2011 updated 2013-03-27
1951 09 25 Tuesday	.	Providence, R.I.	Rhode Island Auditorium	Biggest Show Of 1951 - see 1951 09 21 - 6,100 in audience	Stratemann p.329 citing Variety 1951-10-03 p.51	.	.	.	djp	2011
1951 09 26 Wednesday	.	Troy, N.Y.	Armory	Biggest Show Of 1951 - see 1951 09 21 - 4,400 in audience Sarah Vaughan's car broke down so she didn't perform this night	Stratemann p.329 citing Variety 1951-10-03 p.51	.	.	.	djp	added 2011 updated 2013-03-27
1951 09 27 Thursday	.	Newark, N.J.	Mosque Theatre	Biggest Show Of 1951 - see 1951 09 21 - see 1951 09 21 - gate $8,620	Stratemann p.329 citing Billboard 1951-10-13 p.51	.	.	.	djp	added 2011 updated 2013-03-27
1951 09 28 Friday	.	New York, N.Y.	Carnegie Hall	Two sold-out performances of the Biggest Show Of 1951 - see 1951 09 21 The fire department authorized an additional 100 seats; the ticket price was $4.80 Stratemann describes the shows based on Variety.	Stratemann p.329 citing Variety 1951-10-03, p.52	.	.	.	djp	added 2011 updated 2013-03-27
1951 09 29 Saturday	.	Norfolk, Va.	Municipal Auditorium	Two performances of the Biggest Show Of 1951 - see 1951 09 21	Stratemann p.329 citing Billboard 1951-10-13, p.1	.	.	.	djp	added 2011 updated 2013-03-27
1951 09 30 Sunday	.	Richmond, Va.	Mosque Auditorium	Two performances of the Biggest Show Of 1951 - see 1951 09 21	Stratemann p.329 citing Billboard 1951-10-13, p.1	.	.	.	djp	added 2011 updated 2013-03-27
October 1951
1951 10 01 Monday	.	Baltimore, Md.	Colosseum	Biggest Show Of 1951 - see 1951 09 21. The Oct.6 Baltimore Afro-American carried a picture of Ellington, Cole, local disc jockey Chuck Richards and NAACP membership campaign officials Gertrude Gorman and John Flamer, saying Ellington and Cole endorse the current membership campaign.	Stratemann p.329 citing Billboard 1951-10-13, p.1 Baltimore Afro-American, 1951-10-06, p.2	.	.	.	djp	added 2011 updated 2013-03-29
1951 10 02 Tuesday	1951 10 03	Philadelphia, Penn.	Arena	Biggest Show Of 1951 - see 1951 09 21 - first of two nights	Stratemann p.329 citing Variety1951-09-12 p.62 Billboard 1951-10-13, p.1	.	.	.	djp	added 2011 updated 2013-03-27
1951 10 03 Wednesday	.	Philadelphia, Penn.	Arena	Biggest Show Of 1951 - see 1951 09 21 - second night	.	.	.	.	djp	added 2011
1951 10 04 Thursday	.	New Haven, Conn.	Arena	Biggest Show Of 1951 - see 1951 09 21.	Stratemann p.329 citing Billboard 1951-10-13, p.1	.	.	.	djp	added 2011 updated 2013-03-27
1951 10 05 Friday	.	White Plains, N.Y.	Westchester County Center	Biggest Show Of 1951 - see 1951 09 21.	Stratemann p.329 citing Billboard 1951-11-03 p.24	.	.	.	djp	added 2011 updated 2013-03-27
1951 10 06 Saturday	.	Springfield, Mass.	Municipal Auditorium	Biggest Show Of 1951 - see 1951 09 21.	Stratemann p.329 citing Billboard 1951-11-03 p.24	.	.	.	djp	added 2011 updated 2013-03-27
1951 10 07 Sunday 2:45 and 8:45 pm	.	Montr�al, P.Q.	Montreal Forum	Two performances The Biggest Show of '51 Ellington's orchestra with the Nat King Cole Trio, Sarah Vaughan and a "collection of assorted comics and dancers" — Marie Bryant leading the dancers, vaudevillian Peg Leg Bates, comedian Timmie Rogers, comedians Stump and Stumpy and comedians Patterson and Jackson.	Announcement, The News and Eastern Townships Advocate, St. Johns, PQ, 1951-09-27, p.12 Review, Montreal Gazette, 1951-10-08, p.10 Stratemann p.329 citing Billboard 1951-11-03 p.24	.	.	.	.	added 2011 updated 2013-02-09
1951 10 08 Monday	.	Ottawa, Ont.	Auditorium	Biggest Show Of 1951 - see 1951 09 21.	Stratemann p.329 citing Variety 1951-10-10 p.62	.	.	.	djp	added 2011 updated 2013-03-27
1951 10 09 Tuesday	.	Kingston, Ont.	Community Auditorium	Biggest Show Of 1951 - see 1951 09 21.	Stratemann p.329 citing Billboard 1951-11-03 p.24	.	.	.	djp	added 2011 updated 2013-03-27
1951 10 10 Wednesday	.	Toronto, Ont.	Maple Leaf Gardens	Biggest Show Of 1951 - see 1951 09 21.	Stratemann p.329 citing Billboard 1951-11-03 p.24	.	.	.	djp	added 2011 updated 2013-03-27
1951 10 11 Thursday	.	Kitchener, Ont.	Memorial Auditorium	Biggest Show Of 1951 - see 1951 09 21.	Stratemann p.329 citing Billboard 1951-11-03 p.24	.	.	.	djp	added 2011 updated 2013-03-27
1951 10 12 Friday	.	London, Ont.	Arena	Biggest Show Of 1951 - see 1951 09 21.	Stratemann p.329 citing Billboard 1951-11-03 p.24	.	.	.	djp	added 2011 updated 2013-03-27
1951 10 13 Saturday	.	Buffalo, N.Y.	Memorial Auditorium	Biggest Show Of 1951 - see 1951 09 21.	Stratemann p.329 citing Billboard 1951-11-03 p.24	.	.	.	djp	added 2011 updated 2013-03-27
1951 10 14 Sunday	.	Syracuse, N.Y.	Onondaga County War Memorial	Biggest Show Of 1951 - see 1951 09 21.	Stratemann p.329 citing Billboard 1951-11-03 p.24 Announcement, Syracuse Herald-American, 1951-11-14, p.29	.	.	.	djp	added 2011 updated 2013-03-29
1951 10 15 Monday	.	Rochester, N.Y.	Edgerton Park	Biggest Show Of 1951 - see 1951 09 21.	Stratemann p.329 citing Billboard 1951-11-03 p.24	.	.	.	djp	added 2011 updated 2013-03-27
1951 10 16 Tuesday	.	Cleveland, Oh.	Main Arena	Biggest Show Of 1951 - see 1951 09 21.	Stratemann p.329 citing Billboard 1951-11-03 p.24	.	.	Joe Mosbrook	.	added 2011 updated 2013-03-28
1951 10 17 Wednesday	.	Cincinnati, Oh.	The Gardens	Biggest Show Of 1951 - see 1951 09 21.	Stratemann p.329 citing Billboard 1951-10-27 p.55 1951-11-03 p.24	.	.	.	djp	added 2011 updated 2013-03-27
1951 10 18 Thursday 8:30	.	Charleston, W.Va.	Auditorium	Biggest Show Of 1951 - see 1951 09 21.	Galperin Music ad, Charleston Gazette, 1951-10-17, p.7 Announcement, Charleston Gazette, 1951-10-18, p.19 Emotional Jazz,Vaudeville Touch Delight Ellington, Cole Devotees, Charleston Gazette, 1951-10-19 p.15 Stratemann p.329 citing Billboard 1951-11-03 p.24	.	.	.	djp	added 2011 updated 2013-03-28
1951 10 19 Friday	.	Pittsburgh, Penn.	Arena	Biggest Show Of 1951 - see 1951 09 21	Stratemann p.329 citing Billboard 1951-11-03 p.24	.	.	.	djp	Added 2011 updated 2013-03-27
1951 10 20 Saturday 8:30 PM	.	Scranton, Penn.	Sports Arena	Biggest Show Of 1951 - see 1951 09 21 CYC (Scranton) Sat. nite The Greatest Show Ever Duke Ellington Nat King Cole Sarah Vaughan with 52 famous stars Prices: $1.80, $2.50, $3.50	Ad, Binghamton Press, 1951-10-18, p.26 Stratemann p.329 citing Billboard 1951-11-03 p.24	.	.	.	djp	added 2011 updated 2013-03-28
1951 10 21 Sunday	.	Washington, D.C.	National Guard Armory	Biggest Show Of 1951 - two performances - see 1951 09 21.	Stratemann p.329 citing Billboard 1951-11-03 p.24 Variety 1951-140-17 p.62	.	.	.	djp	added 2011 updated 2013-03-27
1951 10 22 Monday	.	Roanoke, Va.	Municipal Auditorium	Biggest Show Of 1951 - see 1951 09 21.	Stratemann p.329 citing Billboard 1951-11-03 p.24	.	.	.	djp	added 2011 updated 2013-03-27
1951 10 23 Tuesday	.	Richmond, Va.	Mosque Auditorium	Biggest Show Of 1951 - see 1951 09 21 Return engagement	Stratemann p.329 citing Billboard 1951-11-03 p.24	.	.	.	djp	added 2011 updated 2013-03-27
1951 10 24 Wednesday	.	Raleigh, N.C.	.	Biggest Show Of 1951 - see 1951 09 21.	Stratemann p.329 citing Billboard 1951-11-03 p.24	.	.	.	djp	added 2011 updated 2013-03-27
1951 10 25 Thursday	.	Columbia, S.C.	Municipal Auditorium	Biggest Show Of 1951 - see 1951 09 21.	Stratemann p.329 citing Billboard 1951-11-03 p.24	.	.	.	djp	added 2011 updated 2013-03-27
1951 10 26 Friday	.	Atlanta, Ga.	City Auditorium	Biggest Show Of 1951 - see 1951 09 21 Jim Crow reared his ugly head here. The Auditorium management enforced a long-unobserved state law requiring racially separated entrances for public meeting places, and police told "colored" people they had to use the back door. The Afro-American reported that about 1,000 patrons tore up their tickets in protest. The A-A reports "more than 4,000 crowded in to see and hear Duke Ellington, Sarah Vaughan and Nat (King) Cole" and "there were 1,500 white record fans with a great big section all to themselves." The local promoter is quoted as saying he had no advance knowledge of the door arrangements, which was new to Atlanta. The arena manager "readily admitted that he made the arrangement, but he was acting on the orders of the City Council Auditorium Committee." The article goes on to say the white members with Ellington and Cole were allowed to perform, contrasting with Birmingham, where the Police Commissioner told white musicians they could not play on a stage with colored musicians.	Ellington, Cole and Vaughan at City Auditorium Tonight, Atlanta Daily World, 1951-10-26 Ellington Plays As Atlantans Enter Back Door, Baltimore Afro-American 1951-11-03, p.3	.	.	.	N.Fernandez, djp	added 2013-04-10
1951 10 27 Saturday	.	.	activities not documented	.
1951 10 28 Sunday	.	.	activities not documented	.
1951 10 29 Monday	.	.	activities not documented	.
1951 10 30 Tuesday	.	Houston, Tex.	.	Biggest Show Of 1951 - see 1951 09 21	Stratemann p.329 citing Down Beat 1951-11-02	.	.	.	.	added 2011 updated
1951 10 31 Wednesday	.	.	activities not documented	.
November 1951
1951 11 01 Thursday	.	.	activities not documented	.
1951 11 02 Friday	.	.	activities not documented	.
1951 11 03 Saturday	.	.	activities not documented	.
1951 11 04 Sunday	.	.	activities not documented	.
1951 11 05 Monday	.	.	activities not documented	.
1951 11 06 Tuesday	.	.	activities not documented	.
1951 11 07 Wednesday	.	.	activities not documented	.
1951 11 08 Thursday	.	.	activities not documented	.
1951 11 09 Friday	.	.	activities not documented	.
1951 11 10 Saturday	.	St. Louis, Mo.	Convention Hall	Biggest Show Of 1951 - see 1951 09 21	.	.	.	.	djp	added 2011 updated 2013-03-27
1951 11 11 Sunday	.	Kansas City, Mo.	Municipal Auditorium	Biggest Show Of 1951 - see 1951 09 21	What to See in Kansas City, The Maryville Daily Forum, 1951-11-06 p.2	.	.	.	djp	added 2013-03-28
1951 11 12 Monday	.	.	activities not documented	.
1951 11 13 Tuesday	.	.	activities not documented	.
1951 11 14 Wednesday	.	.	activities not documented	.
1951 11 15 Thursday	.	.	.	PERSONNEL CHANGE Willie Cook, trumpet, joins the band	New Desor vol.2	djp	Added 2012-10-11
1951 11 15 Thursday	.	Ann Arbor, Mich.	University of Michigan	Biggest Show Of 1951 - see 1951 09 21. Part of this concert appears to have been recorded - three titles are listed in Timner - Love You Madly is on YouTube	Timner4, p.124	.	90,4-6	corr Timner-4/22	.	added 2011 updated 2013-03-28
1951 11 16 Friday	.	Troy, Ind.	Hobart Arena 255 Adams St.	Biggest Show Of 1951 - see 1951 09 21	The Lima News, Lima, Oh. Announcement, 1951-11-06, p.12 Ad, 1951-11-13, p.16	.	.	.	.	added 2013-03-28
1951 11 17 Saturday 7 pm and 9 pm	.	West Lafayette, Ind.	Purdue Hall of Music Purdue University campus	Two performances in this 6,005 seat theatre Biggest Show Of 1951 - see 1951 09 21	Announcement, Kokomo Tribune, 1951-11-12, p.9	.	.	.	.	added 2013-03-28
1951 11 18 Sunday	.	Chicago, Ill.	Civic Opera House	Biggest Show Of 1951 - see 1951 09 21 Two performances	Poster or ad reproduced in Vail II	.	.	.	djp	added 2011 updated 2013-03-29
1951 11 19 Monday	.	Davenport, Ia.	Masonic Auditorium	Biggest Show Of 1951 - see 1951 09 21	Vail II	.	.	.	djp	added 2013-03-29
1951 11 20 Tuesday	.	.	activities not documented	.
1951 11 21 Wednesday	.	Minneapolis, Minn.	Municipal Auditorium	Biggest Show Of 1951 - see 1951 09 21.	Vail II	.	.	.	djp	added 2011 updated 2013-03-27
1951 11 22 Thursday	.	.	activities not documented	.
1951 11 23 Friday	.	.	activities not documented	.
1951 11 24 Saturday	.	.	activities not documented	.
1951 11 25 Sunday	.	Detroit, Mich.	Olympia Stadium	Biggest Show Of 1951 - see 1951 09 21	Steve Hoffman Music Forums - "Nat King Cole Year by Year"	.	.	.	djp	added 2013-03-29
1951 11 26 Monday 8:20 pm	.	Canton, Oh.	Canton Memorial Auditorium	Biggest Show Of 1951 - see 1951 09 21	Announcement, The Evening Independent, Massillon, Oh., 1951-11-23 p.17	.	.	.	.	added 2013-03-28
1951 11 27 Tuesday	.	Toledo, Oh.	Sports Arena	Biggest Show Of 1951 - see 1951 09 21.	.	.	.	.	djp	added 2011 updated 2013-03-27
1951 11 28 Wednesday	.	Columbus, Oh.	Memorial Hall	Two performances Biggest Show Of 1951 - see 1951 09 21 Variety said this was the second last show of the tour.	.	.	.	.	djp	added 2011 updated 2013-03-27
1951 11 29 Thursday	.	Johnstown, Penn.	Cambria County War Memorial Arena 326 Napoleon St.	Biggest Show Of 1951 - see 1951 09 21. M The Indiana Evening Gazette reported the War Memorial had been trying to book the show, but the troupe had such an heavy performance schedule that it was "only last week" they learned November 29 was available.	Announcements Bedford Gazette 1951-11-26 p.6 Indiana Evening Gazette 1951-11-26 p.9	.	.	.	djp	added 2013-03-28
1951 11 30 Friday	.	.	activities not documented	.

Date of event

Ending date
(if different)

City/
Other place

Venue

Event/People

Primary Reference

New
Desor
reference

DEMS
reference

Other
references

Contact
person

Date added
/ updated

September 1951

1951 09 21
Friday

1951 09 23

Boston, Mass.

Boston Garden

Variety show "Biggest Show of 1951"

First of three nights here
Beginning of the "Biggest Show of 1951" tour. Headliners were Ellington and his orchestra, Sarah Vaughan and Nat King Cole's trio.

Others were

Marie Bryant and her dance troupe
Stump and Stumpy
Patterson & Jackson
Peg Leg Bates
Timmie Rogers

Billboard carried a story dated Oct. 6 1951 saying the show, costing $24,000/week, was initially set for three weeks with additional dates pencilled in that were subject to cancellation. The Oct. 6 story said, however, it was now a go-ahead to run until the end of November, and that it would probably run through the South and part of the Midwest, but not west of the Rockies.

In contrast, Variety Oct. 3 said the unit was "booked solid until Dec. 5 when it will close in the Mid-West."

Homzy's liner notes quote Bellson:

After I was in the band for a couple of months, Duke said, "We're going to make a tour down South to do a show with Sarah Vaughan and the Nat 'King' Cole Trio."

I said, "OK," and he said, "Do you know what that means?"

I was puzzled, so Duke said, "I can't find another drummer who can do what you do, so I'm going to make you a Hiatian."

And I said, "I'm ready to play music, no matter what." So I became a fair-skinned Haitian, and I stayed with the band wherever we went.

Billboard says the show was being sold for $4,000 to $5,000 a day, depending on house capacity and day of the week. This suggests the risk of profit or loss is to the venue owner, who would be entitled to the entire ticket revenue.

Billboard reports the Boston Garden revenue after tax was $18,000 over the three days.

Nat King Cole commented on playing in arenas in Billboard, 1951-12-22, p.44

Stratemann, p.329, citing

Billboard 1951-10-13 p.1
Variety 1951-08-08 p.52
Variety 1951-10-03 p.51
Photo collage, Baltimore Afro-American, 1951-09-22, p.11
Billboard 1951-11-03 p.24
Andrew Homzy, liner notes to "Duke Ellington and His Orchestra at The Crystal Gardens, Salem, Oregon, 1952," HEP CD 92/93

08,3-9

djp

added 2011

updated 2013-04-22

1951 09 22
Saturday

Boston, Mass.

Boston Garden

Biggest Show Of 1951
- see 1951 09 21

added 2011

1951 09 23
Sunday

Boston, Mass.

Boston Garden

Biggest Show Of 1951
- see 1951 09 21

djp

added 2011

updated 2013-03-30

1951 09 24
Monday

Worcester, Mass.

Memorial Auditorium

Biggest Show Of 1951
- see 1951 09 21 - played to audience of 4,200, ticket sales $8,460

Stratemann p.329 citing Variety 1951-10-03 p.51
Billboard 1951-10-13 p.1

djp

added 2011

updated 2013-03-30

1951 09 25
Tuesday

Providence, R.I.

Rhode Island Auditorium

Biggest Show Of 1951
- see 1951 09 21 - 6,100 in audience, ticket sales $10,450

Stratemann p.329 citing Variety 1951-10-03 p.51
Billboard 1951-10-13 p.1

djp

added 2011

updated 2013-03-30

1951 09 26
Wednesday

Troy, N.Y.

Troy Armory

Biggest Show Of 1951
- see 1951 09 21 - 4,400 in audience, ticket sales $5,400

Local promoter Ted Bayly had the drill shed set to hold 5,800 but Variety understood he made a profit anyway.

Ticket prices per Variety were $1.75 to $2.75.

Sarah Vaughan's car broke down so she didn't perform this night

Stratemann p.329 citing Variety 1951-10-03 p.52
Billboard 1951-10-13 p.1

djp

added 2011

updated 2013-03-30

1951 09 27
Thursday
8:30 pm

Newark, N.J.

Mosque Theatre
1020 Broad St.

Biggest Show Of 1951
- see 1951 09 21

Gate $8,620, Tickets: $1.50, $1.80, $2.40, $3.00, $3.60, $4.20

Stratemann p.329 citing Billboard 1951-10-13 p.51
Billboard 1951-10-13 p.1
Announcement and ad, Westfield, N.J., Leader, 1951-09-20p.23

djp

added 2011

updated 2013-04-01

1951 09 28
Friday

New York, N.Y.

Carnegie Hall

Two sold-out performances of the Biggest Show Of 1951
- see 1951 09 21
The fire department authorized 100 standees; the ticket price was $4.80, ticket revenue was $17,000 for the two shows

Stratemann provides a short summary of the 8 paragraph favourable review by Variety.

The Oct. 1 New York Times review reprinted in The Charleston Gazette says the band opened the festivities at about 7:45 and then became backdrop and accompaniment for The Marie Bryant Dancers, Patterson and Jackson, Peg Leg Bates, Nat King Cole and his trio, Stump and Stumpy and Timmie Rogers and Sarah Vaughan. The first show was over about 3 hours after it started; the lobby was already crowded with those waiting for the second show; while usherettes were clearing the house, the band was practicing a new finale and runners were out getting food for the performers. "At 11 P.M. the day's work was only half done."

Stratemann p.329 citing Variety 1951-10-03, p.52
Billboard 1951-10-13 p.1
The Charleston Gazette 1951-10-04, p.7

djp

added 2011

updated 2013-11-19

1951 09 29
Saturday

Norfolk, Va.

Municipal Auditorium

Two performances of the Biggest Show Of 1951
- see 1951 09 21

Ticket sales $14,348

Stratemann p.329 citing Billboard 1951-10-13 p.1

djp

added 2011

updated 2013-03-30

1951 09 30
Sunday

Richmond, Va.

Mosque Auditorium

Two sold-out performances of the Biggest Show Of 1951
- see 1951 09 21

Ticket sales $13,009 for the two shows

Stratemann p.329 citing Billboard 1951-10-13 p.1
Richmond Times-Dispatch, 1951-10-14, p.16B

djp

added 2011

updated 2013-03-30 and 2013-09-07

October 1951

1951 10 01
Monday

Baltimore, Md.

Colosseum

Biggest Show Of 1951
- see 1951 09 21

Ticket sales $8,500

The Oct.6 Baltimore Afro-American carried a picture of Ellington, Cole, local disc jockey Chuck Richards and NAACP membership campaign officials Gertrude Gorman and John Flamer, saying Ellington and Cole endorse the current membership campaign.

Stratemann p.329 citing Billboard 1951-10-13 p.1
Baltimore Afro-American, 1951-10-06, p.2

djp

added 2011

updated 2013-03-30

1951 10 02
Tuesday

1951 10 03

Philadelphia, Penn.

Arena

Biggest Show Of 1951
- see 1951 09 21 - first of two nights

Stratemann p.329 citing

Variety 1951-09-12 p.62
Billboard 1951-10-13 p.1

djp

added 2011

updated 2013-03-30

1951 10 03
Wednesday

Philadelphia, Penn.

Arena

Biggest Show Of 1951
- see 1951 09 21 - second night

Ticket sales for the two nights, $18,341

Billboard 1951-10-13 p.1

djp

added 2011

updated 2013-03-30

1951 10 04
Thursday
8:30 pm

New Haven, Conn.

New Haven Arena

Biggest Show Of 1951
- see 1951 09 21

Ticket sales $7,000
Prices: $1.00 general admission
$2.00 & $3.00, reserved

Stratemann p.329 citing Billboard 1951-10-13 p.1
Ads:
- Naugatuck (Conn.) News:
  - 1951-09-25, p.9
  - 1951-10-03 p.4
- The Bridgeport (Conn.) Sunday Post:
  - 1951-09-23, p.B-8
  - 1951-09-30, p.B-9
The Bridgeport Telegram
- 1951-09-23
- 1951-09-30

djp

added 2011

updated 2013-03-30

1951 10 05
Friday

White Plains, N.Y.

Westchester County Center

Biggest Show Of 1951
- see 1951 09 21

Ticket sales $9,000

Stratemann p.329 citing Billboard 1951-11-03 p.24

djp

added 2011

updated 2013-03-30

1951 10 06
Saturday

Springfield, Mass.

Municipal Auditorium

Biggest Show Of 1951
- see 1951 09 21

Ticket sales $8,600

Stratemann p.329 citing Billboard 1951-11-03 p.24

djp

added 2011

updated 2013-03-30

1951 10 07
Sunday
2:45 and 8:45 pm

Montr�al, P.Q.

Montreal Forum

Two performances in the 15,000 seat Forum
The Biggest Show of '51

Ellington's orchestra with the Nat King Cole Trio, Sarah Vaughan and a "collection of assorted comics and dancers" — Marie Bryant leading the dancers, vaudevillian Peg Leg Bates, comedian Timmie Rogers, comedians Stump and Stumpy and comedians Patterson and Jackson.

Ticket sales $25,000

Announcement, The News and Eastern Townships Advocate, St. Johns, PQ, 1951-09-27, p.12
Review, Montreal Gazette, 1951-10-08, p.10
Stratemann p.329 citing Billboard 1951-11-03 p.24

djp

added 2011

updated 2013-03-30

1951 10 08
Monday

Ottawa, Ont.

Auditorium

Biggest Show Of 1951
- see 1951 09 21

Ticket sales $4,200 here.

Stratemann p.329 citing Variety 1951-10-10 p.62
Billboard 1951-11-03 p.24

djp

added 2011

updated 2013-03-30

1951 10 09
Tuesday

Kingston, Ont.

Community Auditorium

Biggest Show Of 1951
- see 1951 09 21

Ticket sales $7,500

Stratemann p.329 citing Billboard 1951-11-03 p.24

djp

added 2011

updated 2013-03-30

1951 10 10
Wednesday

Toronto, Ont.

Maple Leaf Gardens

Biggest Show Of 1951
- see 1951 09 21

Ticket sales $13,000

Stratemann p.329 citing Billboard 1951-11-03 p.24

djp

added 2011

updated 2013-03-30

1951 10 11
Thursday

Kitchener, Ont.

Memorial Auditorium

Biggest Show Of 1951
- see 1951 09 21

Ticket sales $9,800

Stratemann p.329 citing Billboard 1951-11-03 p.24

djp

added 2011

updated 2013-03-30

1951 10 12
Friday

London, Ont.

London Arena

Biggest Show Of 1951
- see 1951 09 21

Ticket sales $7,800

Stratemann p.329 citing Billboard 1951-11-03 p.24

djp

added 2011

updated 2013-03-30

1951 10 13
Saturday

Buffalo, N.Y.

Memorial Auditorium

Biggest Show Of 1951
- see 1951 09 21

Ticket sales $13,500

Stratemann p.329 citing Billboard 1951-11-03 p.24

djp

added 2011

updated 2013-03-30

1951 10 14
Sunday
8:30 pm

Syracuse, N.Y.

Onondaga County War Memorial

Biggest Show Of 1951
- see 1951 09 21

Presented by "Syracuse Nats"

Ticket sales $12,500

Prices $1.00, $1.50, $2.00, $2.50

The War Memorial building was newly built, opening the previous month.

Announcements:
- Syracuse Post-Standard, 1951-09-30, p.17
- Syracuse Herald-American, 1951-11-14, p.29
Ads:
- Syracuse Herald-American, 1951-09-30, p.33
- Syracuse Post-Standard:
  - 1951-09-23, p.18
  - 1951-10-07, 9p.20, 28
  - 1951-10-09 p.16
  - 1951-09-30, p.16
"Dis and Dat" review, Marcellus N.Y. Observer 1951-10-19 p4
Stratemann p.329 citing Billboard 1951-11-03 p.24

djp

added 2011

updated 2013-04-20

1951 10 15
Monday

Rochester, N.Y.

Edgerton Park

Biggest Show Of 1951
- see 1951 09 21

Ticket sales $9,000

Stratemann p.329 citing Billboard 1951-11-03 p.24

djp

added 2011

updated 2013-03-30

1951 10 16
Tuesday

Cleveland, Oh.

Main Arena

Biggest Show Of 1951
- see 1951 09 21

Ticket sales $15,000

(Variety announced the package show was booked at the Public Auditorium.)

Variety 1951-09-05, p.59
Stratemann p.329 citing Billboard 1951-11-03 p.24

Joe Mosbrook

djp

added 2011

updated 2013-04-22

1951 10 17
Wednesday

Cincinnati, Oh.

The Gardens

Biggest Show Of 1951
- see 1951 09 21

Ticket sales $14,811 for an audience of 8,849

Stratemann p.329 citing Billboard

1951-10-27 p.55
1951-11-03 p.24
1951-10-27 p.55

djp

added 2011

updated 2013-03-30

1951 10 18
Thursday
8:30 pm

Charleston, W.Va.

Municipal Auditorium

Biggest Show Of 1951
- see 1951 09 21

Ticket sales $7,500

Prices: Balcony: $2.50
Mezzanine: $4.00
Main floor: $3.00 $3.50 $4.00

(The Gorby Music Shop ad shows Ellington and Vaughan's names and lists their records it carries, but does not mention Cole.)

Charleston Gazette ads:
- 1951-09-23 p.22
- 1951-09-26 p.7
- 1951-09-30, p.37
- 1951-10-12 p.5
- 1951-10-16, p.7
- 1951-10-17, p.7 (Galperin Music)
- 1951-10-17 p.16 (Gorby's Music Shop)
Announcement, Charleston Gazette, 1951-10-18, p.19
Review, Emotional Jazz,Vaudeville Touch Delight Ellington, Cole Devotees, Charleston Gazette, 1951-10-19 p.15
Stratemann p.329 citing Billboard 1951-11-03 p.24

djp

added 2011

updated 2013-04-01

1951 10 19
Friday

Pittsburgh, Penn.

Arena

Biggest Show Of 1951
- see 1951 09 21

Ticket sales $16,000

Stratemann p.329 citing Billboard 1951-11-03 p.24

djp

added 2011

updated 2013-03-30

1951 10 20
Saturday
8:30 PM

Scranton, Penn.

Sports Arena

Biggest Show Of 1951
- see 1951 09 21

CYC (Scranton) Sat. nite

The Greatest Show Ever

Duke Ellington
Nat King Cole
Sarah Vaughan
with 52 famous stars
Prices: $1.80, $2.50, $3.50

Ticket sales $6,000

Ad, Binghamton Press, 1951-10-18, p.26
Stratemann p.329 citing Billboard 1951-11-03 p.24

djp

added 2011

updated 2013-03-30

1951 10 21
Sunday

Washington, D.C.

National Guard Armory
2001 East Capitol Street
Biggest Show ticket

The Biggest Show of '51 ticket

Two performances
Biggest Show Of 1951
- see 1951 09 21
"Net take" about $25,000

Stratemann p.329 citing

Billboard 1951-11-03 p.24
Variety 1951-140-17 p.62
Email Lasker-Palmquist re ticket on eBay

djp

Added
2011
updated
2013-03-30
2022-04-10

1951 10 22
Monday

Roanoke, Va.

Municipal Auditorium

Biggest Show Of 1951
- see 1951 09 21

Ticket sales $7,000

Stratemann p.329 citing Billboard 1951-11-03 p.24

djp

added 2011

updated 2013-03-30

1951 10 23
Tuesday
8:30 pm

Richmond, Va.

Mosque Auditorium

Biggest Show Of 1951
- see 1951 09 21

Return engagement

Ticket sales $6,000

"RICHMOND, Va.�(ANP)�Nat King Cole and his trio, Duke Ellington and his orchestra, songstress Sarah Vaughan and other top performers in the musical world comprising the cast of the Biggest Show of '51" will appear in a return engagement at the Mosqu[illegible] Tuesday night, October 23. So popular was the group, on [illegible] original appearance here, September 30 for two shows-that the demand for tickets was greater than available seats in the large theatre. Thousands were tuned away. Only one show will be given Oct.23 a full three hours of entertainment, to begin at 8:30 P. M. All seats will be reserved."

Stratemann p.329 citing Billboard 1951-11-03 p.24
ANP wirestory datelined Richmond, Va.:Biggest Show To Return to Richmond, Memphis World, 1951-10-19
Richmond Times-Dispatch, 1951-10-14, p.16B

djp

added 2011

updated 2013-03-31

1951 10 24
Wednesday

Raleigh, N.C.

Biggest Show Of 1951
- see 1951 09 21

Ticket sales $12,000

Stratemann p.329 citing Billboard 1951-11-03 p.24
Short Notes, The Rocky Mount Sunday Telegram, Rocky Mount, N.C., 1951-10-28, p.3A

djp

added 2011

updated 2013-04-01

1951 10 25
Thursday

Columbia, S.C.

Municipal Auditorium

Biggest Show Of 1951
- see 1951 09 21

Ticket sales $8,000

Stratemann p.329 citing Billboard 1951-11-03 p.24

djp

added 2011

updated 2013-03-30

1951 10 26
Friday

Atlanta, Ga.

City Auditorium

Biggest Show Of 1951
- see 1951 09 21

Racial matters

Jim Crow reared his ugly head here.

The Auditorium management enforced a long-unobserved state law requiring racially separated entrances for public meeting places, and police told "colored" people they had to use the back door. The Afro-American reported that about 1,000 patrons tore up their tickets in protest. The A-A reports "more than 4,000 crowded in to see and hear Duke Ellington, Sarah Vaughan and Nat (King) Cole" and "there were 1,500 white record fans with a great big section all to themselves."

The local promoter is quoted as saying he had no advance knowledge of the door arrangements, which was new to Atlanta. The arena manager "readily admitted that he made the arrangement, but he was acting on the orders of the City Council Auditorium Committee."

The article goes on to say the white members with Ellington and Cole were allowed to perform, contrasting with Birmingham, where the Police Commissioner told white musicians they could not play on a stage with colored musicians.

Ellington, Cole and Vaughan at City Auditorium Tonight, Atlanta Daily World, 1951-10-26
Ellington Plays As Atlantans Enter Back Door, Baltimore Afro-American 1951-11-03, p.3

N.Fernandez, djp

added
2013-04-10
updated
2022-04-10

1951 10 27
Saturday

activities not documented

1951 10 28
Sunday

activities not documented

1951 10 29
Monday
8:30 pm

New Orleans, La.

Municipal Auditorium

Biggest Show Of 1951
- see 1951 09 21
Segregated - tickets advertised as Choice Orchestra Seats for White Patrons ... $3.50, $2.75 including tax.

The review describes the show fairly well, and mentions that Ellington changed clothes between almost every number.

Times-Picayune, New Orleans:

Ad, 1951-10-23, p.12
Ad and publicity, 1951-10-25, p.30
Ad, 1951-10-28, p.10
Publicity, 1951-10-29 p.12
Ad, 1951-10-29 p.34
Review, 1951-10-30, p.10

djp

added 2013-09-06

1951 10 30
Tuesday

Houston, Tex.

Biggest Show Of 1951
- see 1951 09 21

In Houston on Oct. 3, both will play the same night, so the box office figures should be something to watch on this date.

Stratemann p.329 citing Down Beat 1951-11-02
Fairfax Nisbet, 'Chatterbox,' Dallas Morning News, 1951-10-13, p.6, pt.II

added 2011

updated 2013-09-07

1951 10 31
Wednesday

activities not documented

1951 fall a

U.S.A.

Telecast with Ray Block Orchestra

DE5125

2011

1951 fall b

U.S.A.

Telecast �Benay Venuta Show�

DE5126

00,2-18

2011

November 1951

1951 11 01
Thursday

activities not documented

1951 11 02
Friday

activities not documented

1951 11 03
Saturday
8 pm and 11 pm

Dallas, Tex.

State Fair Auditorium

Biggest Show of 1951
- see 1951 09 21
Two performances

Initally planned to be two segregated concerts, whites first and then blacks, plans changed to allow separate seating in the white concert for blacks, and vice versa in the black concert.

Prices - Lower Floor $3.60, $3.00; Balcony, $3.00, $2.40, $1.20, including tax. Box office to open at 9 a.m.

Dallas Morning News

Chatterbox column by Fairfax Nisbet, 1951-10-13, p.6, pt.II
Ad and mention, 1951-10-26, Pt. I, p.17
Publicity - article and photos, 1951-10-28, Pt.IV, front page
Events of the Week, 1951-10-28, Pt.IV,p.2
Publicity, 1951-11-03, Pt.II, p.4
Review, 1951-11-04, Pt.I p.10

djp

added 2013-09-06

1951 11 04
Sunday

activities not documented

1951 11 05
Monday

activities not documented

1951 11 06
Tuesday

activities not documented

1951 11 07
Wednesday
8:30 pm

Little Rock, Ark.

Robinson Memorial Auditorium

Biggest Show of 1951
- see 1951 09 21

Arkansas State Press, Little Rock, Ark.

1951-11-02 p 8
Observatory Comments by Earl Lee Davy, 1951-11-16, p.4

djp

added 2013-09-06

1951 11 08
Thursday

activities not documented

1951 11 09
Friday

activities not documented

1951 11 10
Saturday

St. Louis, Mo.

Convention Hall

Biggest Show Of 1951
- see 1951 09 21

Ellington was interviewed by a reporter for the Baltimore Afro-American. The published account of the interview created a public relations nightmare for Ellington.

Stratemann, p.330 citing DESB

djp

added 2011

updated 2013-03-27

1951 11 00

PERSONNEL CHANGE

Nelson "Cadillac" Williams leaves the band

New Desor vol.2

djp

Added 2012-10-25

1951 11 11

PERSONNEL CHANGE

Clark Terry, trumpet and fluegelhorn, born 1920, joins the band

New Desor vol.2

djp

Added 2012-10-25

1951 11 11
Sunday

Kansas City, Mo.

Municipal Auditorium

Biggest Show Of 1951
- see 1951 09 21

Clark Terry's autobiography describes his first night as a permanent band member, which he places in Kiel Auditorium, the new name for the St. Louis Municipal Auditorium on Remembrance Day. While his book tells us Ellington recruited him from Basie, and paid him to wait in St. Louis until the band arrived on Nov.11, the Maryville Daily Forum has the band playing in Kansas City on November 11, and the St. Louis date seems pretty certain to have been Nov.10. Terry describes playing this night, describing the routines performed by the other acts. Terry's date seems to be wrong.

What to See in Kansas City, The Maryville Daily Forum, 1951-11-06 p.2
Clark: The Autobiography of Clark Terry, Clark Terry, pp.128–132

djp

added 2013-03-31

1951 11 12
Monday
8:30 pm

Des Moines, Io.

KRNT Theatre

Biggest Show Of 1951 - see 1951 09 21

Anouncements:

The Jefferson Herald, Jefferson, Io., 1951-10-25 p.6
The Jefferson Bee, 1951-10-30, p.2

djp

added 2013-04-01

1951 11 13
Tuesday

activities not documented

1951 11 14
Wednesday

activities not documented

1951 11 15
Thursday

PERSONNEL CHANGE

Willie Cook, trumpet, joins the band

New Desor vol.2

djp

Added 2012-10-11

1951 11 15
Thursday

Ann Arbor, Mich.

University of Michigan

Biggest Show Of 1951
- see 1951 09 21

Part of this concert appears to have been recorded - three titles are listed in Timner - Love You Madly is on YouTube

Timner4, p.124

90,4-6

corr Timner-4/22

added 2011

updated 2013-03-28

1951 11 16
Friday

Troy, Oh.

Hobart Arena
255 Adams St.

Biggest Show Of 1951
- see 1951 09 21

Tickets: $1.50, $2.00, $3.00

The Lima News, Lima, Oh.

Announcement, 1951-11-06, p.12
Ad, 1951-11-13, p.16
Ad, 1951-11-14, p.20

added 2013-03-28

1951 11 17
Saturday
7 pm and 9 pm

West Lafayette, Ind.

Purdue Hall of Music
Purdue University campus

Two performances in this 6,005 seat theatre
Biggest Show Of 1951
- see 1951 09 21

Announcement, Kokomo Tribune, 1951-11-12, p.9

added 2013-03-28

1951 11 18
Sunday

Chicago, Ill.

Civic Opera House

Biggest Show Of 1951
- see 1951 09 21

Two performances

Opera House manager Herb Carlin announced a package of four concerts, Stan Kenton on Nov. 10 and 11, Billy Eckstine and George Shearing on Nov. 13, and this show on the 18th. Tickets were to be sold as a package or as singles. Ticket price $3.00 "tops" except this show, $3.50. The sales pitch would be aimed at "the juves" who find it too expensive to go to the niteries.

Variety reported the show racked up $21,000 for these performances, sold out several days in advance. House manager Herb Carlin had to sell pit seats for the overflow.

Poster or ad reproduced in Vail II.
Variety
- 1951-09-12 p.46
- 1951-11-21 p.40

djp

added 2011

updated 2013-04-23

1951 11 19
Monday

Davenport, Ia.

Masonic Auditorium

Biggest Show Of 1951
- see 1951 09 21

Vail II

djp

added 2013-03-29

1951 11 19
Monday

Peripheral event

Variety announced Mercer Records had signed Billy Strayhorn to a recording contract as a bandleader. The first release would be an LP, with a group of Ellington sidemen.

Variety 1951-09-19 p.53.

Added 2013-04-22

1951 11 20
Tuesday
8:30 pm

Rochester, Minn.

Mayo Civic Auditorium

Biggest Show Of 1951
- see 1951 09 21

Tickets: $1.80, $2.40, $3.00, $3.60

Ads,

The LaCrosse Tribune, LaCrosse, Wisc.:
- 1951-11-16, p.7
- 1951-11-18, p.21
The Winona Republican-Herald, Winona, Minn.:
- 1951-11-16, p.13
- 1951-11-19, p.9

djp

added 2013-04-01

1951 11 21
Wednesday

Minneapolis, Minn.

Municipal Auditorium

Biggest Show Of 1951
- see 1951 09 21

Vail II
Variety 1951-10-31 p.41

djp

added 2011

updated 2013-03-27

1951 11 22
Thursday

Milwaukee, Wisc.

Milwaukee Arena

Biggest Show Of 1951
- see 1951 09 21

This was American Thanksgiving Day, and the streets were icy. Attendance was only about 4,500. Ellington delayed the start for half an hour to allow the seats to fill; when that didn't happen, he invited the audience to move closer.

Short announcement, Milwaukee Sentinel, 1951-10-23
Ad, Milwaukee Journal, 1951-11-22, p.5
Review, Milwaukee Journal, 1951-11-23 p.25

djp

added 2013-04-01

1951 11 23
Friday

activities not documented

1951 11 24
Saturday

activities not documented

1951 11 25
Sunday

Detroit, Mich.

Olympia Stadium

Biggest Show Of 1951
- see 1951 09 21

11,000 admissions, gross $26,490

Steve Hoffman Music Forums - "Nat King Cole Year by Year"
Billboard, 1952-05-10 p.14
Baltimore Afro-American, 1951-12-01, p.19

djp, n.f.

added 2013-03-31

1951 11 26
Monday
8:30 pm

Canton, Oh.

Canton Memorial Auditorium

Biggest Show Of 1951
- see 1951 09 21
4,000 in attendance
Tickets, $1.80, $2.40, $3.00 and $3.60 including tax

Announcement, The Evening Independent, Massillon, Oh., 1951-11-23 p.17
The Canton Repository, Canton, Oh.
- Subdued ad, 1951-11-26, p.14
- Several brief mentions in the week before the show
- Review, 1951-11-27,p.26

added 2013-03-28
Updated 2013-09-06

1951 11 27
Tuesday
8:30 pm

Toledo, Oh.

Toledo Sports Arena
One Main St.

Biggest Show Of 1951
- see 1951 09 21

Billboard reports "turned 'em away," indicating a sold out house

Variety reported an audience of 4,900 and revenue of $9,800

Billboard 1952-01-12, p.50
Ads,
- Toledo Blade, 1951-11-24
- The Lima News, 1951-11-26 p.22
Variety 1951-12-05 p.53

djp

added 2011

updated 2013-04-23

1951 11 28
Wednesday
7:30 & 10 PM

Columbus, Oh.

Memorial Hall

Two performances
Biggest Show Of 1951
- see 1951 09 21

In a report from Columbus dated Dec. 4, Variety said this was the second last show of the tour, and reported $8,500 for the double show with top tickets priced at $3.80. An ad in the Zanesville paper shows ticket prices, including tax, were $2.00, $2.50, $3.10 and $3.60

Billboard 1951-11-17, p.50
Ad, The Marion Star, Marion, oh., 1951-11-20, p.17
Ad, Times-Recorder, Zanesville, Oh. 1951-11-21 p.11
Variety 1951-12-05 p.53
Plug, The Newark (O.) Advocate and American Tribune, 1951-11-21 p.7

djp

added 2011

updated 2013-04-23

1951 11 29
Thursday

Johnstown, Penn.

Cambria County War Memorial Arena
326 Napoleon St.

Biggest Show Of 1951
- see 1951 09 21

The Indiana Evening Gazette reported the War Memorial had been trying to book the show, but the troupe had such an heavy performance schedule that it was "only last week" they learned November 29 was available.

Announcements
- Bedford Gazette 1951-11-26 p.6
- Indiana Evening Gazette 1951-11-26 p.9
Ad, Bedford (Mass.) Gazette, 1951-11-28

djp

added 2013-03-28

1951 11 30
Friday

activities not documented

1951 09 21
Friday

1951 09 23

Boston, Mass.

Boston Garden

Variety show Concert Biggest Show of 1951

First of three nights here
Beginning of the "Biggest Show of 1951" tour. Headliners were Ellington and his orchestra, Sarah Vaughan and Nat King Cole's trio.

Others were

Marie Bryant and her dance troupe
Stump and Stumpy
Patterson & Jackson
Peg Leg Bates
Timmie Rogers

Stratemann, p.329, citing

Billboard 1951-10-13 p.1
Variety 1951-08-08 p.52
Variety 1951-10-03 p.51

08,3-9

added 2011

updated 2013-03-27

1951 09 22
Saturday

Boston, Mass.

Boston Garden

Biggest Show Of 1951
- see 1951 09 21

added 2011

1951 09 23
Sunday

Boston, Mass.

Boston Garden

Biggest Show Of 1951
- see 1951 09 21

added 2011

1951 09 24
Monday

Worcester, Mass.

Memorial Auditorium

Biggest Show Of 1951
- see 1951 09 21 - played to audience of 4,200

Stratemann p.329 citing Variety 1951-10-03 p.51

added 2011

updated 2013-03-27

1951 09 25
Tuesday

Providence, R.I.

Rhode Island Auditorium

Biggest Show Of 1951
- see 1951 09 21 - 6,100 in audience

Stratemann p.329 citing Variety 1951-10-03 p.51

djp

2011

1951 09 26
Wednesday

Troy, N.Y.

Armory

Biggest Show Of 1951
- see 1951 09 21 - 4,400 in audience

Sarah Vaughan's car broke down so she didn't perform this night

Stratemann p.329 citing Variety 1951-10-03 p.51

djp

added 2011

updated 2013-03-27

1951 09 27
Thursday

Newark, N.J.

Mosque Theatre

Biggest Show Of 1951
- see 1951 09 21 - see 1951 09 21 - gate $8,620

Stratemann p.329 citing Billboard 1951-10-13 p.51

djp

added 2011

updated 2013-03-27

1951 09 28
Friday

New York, N.Y.

Carnegie Hall

Two sold-out performances of the Biggest Show Of 1951
- see 1951 09 21
The fire department authorized an additional 100 seats; the ticket price was $4.80

Stratemann describes the shows based on Variety.

Stratemann p.329 citing Variety 1951-10-03, p.52

djp

added 2011

updated 2013-03-27

1951 09 29
Saturday

Norfolk, Va.

Municipal Auditorium

Two performances of the Biggest Show Of 1951
- see 1951 09 21

Stratemann p.329 citing Billboard 1951-10-13, p.1

djp

added 2011

updated 2013-03-27

1951 09 30
Sunday

Richmond, Va.

Mosque Auditorium

Two performances of the Biggest Show Of 1951
- see 1951 09 21

Stratemann p.329 citing Billboard 1951-10-13, p.1

djp

added 2011

updated 2013-03-27

October 1951

1951 10 01
Monday

Baltimore, Md.

Colosseum

Biggest Show Of 1951
- see 1951 09 21.

The Oct.6 Baltimore Afro-American carried a picture of Ellington, Cole, local disc jockey Chuck Richards and NAACP membership campaign officials Gertrude Gorman and John Flamer, saying Ellington and Cole endorse the current membership campaign.

Stratemann p.329 citing Billboard 1951-10-13, p.1
Baltimore Afro-American, 1951-10-06, p.2

djp

added 2011

updated 2013-03-29

1951 10 02
Tuesday

1951 10 03

Philadelphia, Penn.

Arena

Biggest Show Of 1951
- see 1951 09 21 - first of two nights

Stratemann p.329 citing

Variety1951-09-12 p.62
Billboard 1951-10-13, p.1

djp

added 2011

updated 2013-03-27

1951 10 03
Wednesday

Philadelphia, Penn.

Arena

Biggest Show Of 1951
- see 1951 09 21 - second night

djp

added 2011

1951 10 04
Thursday

New Haven, Conn.

Arena

Biggest Show Of 1951
- see 1951 09 21.

Stratemann p.329 citing Billboard 1951-10-13, p.1

djp

added 2011

updated 2013-03-27

1951 10 05
Friday

White Plains, N.Y.

Westchester County Center

Biggest Show Of 1951
- see 1951 09 21.

Stratemann p.329 citing Billboard 1951-11-03 p.24

djp

added 2011

updated 2013-03-27

1951 10 06
Saturday

Springfield, Mass.

Municipal Auditorium

Biggest Show Of 1951
- see 1951 09 21.

Stratemann p.329 citing Billboard 1951-11-03 p.24

djp

added 2011

updated 2013-03-27

1951 10 07
Sunday
2:45 and 8:45 pm

Montr�al, P.Q.

Montreal Forum

Two performances
The Biggest Show of '51

Announcement, The News and Eastern Townships Advocate, St. Johns, PQ, 1951-09-27, p.12
Review, Montreal Gazette, 1951-10-08, p.10
Stratemann p.329 citing Billboard 1951-11-03 p.24

added 2011

updated 2013-02-09

1951 10 08
Monday

Ottawa, Ont.

Auditorium

Biggest Show Of 1951
- see 1951 09 21.

Stratemann p.329 citing Variety 1951-10-10 p.62

djp

added 2011

updated 2013-03-27

1951 10 09
Tuesday

Kingston, Ont.

Community Auditorium

Biggest Show Of 1951
- see 1951 09 21.

Stratemann p.329 citing Billboard 1951-11-03 p.24

djp

added 2011

updated 2013-03-27

1951 10 10
Wednesday

Toronto, Ont.

Maple Leaf Gardens

Biggest Show Of 1951
- see 1951 09 21.

Stratemann p.329 citing Billboard 1951-11-03 p.24

djp

added 2011

updated 2013-03-27

1951 10 11
Thursday

Kitchener, Ont.

Memorial Auditorium

Biggest Show Of 1951
- see 1951 09 21.

Stratemann p.329 citing Billboard 1951-11-03 p.24

djp

added 2011

updated 2013-03-27

1951 10 12
Friday

London, Ont.

Arena

Biggest Show Of 1951
- see 1951 09 21.

Stratemann p.329 citing Billboard 1951-11-03 p.24

djp

added 2011

updated 2013-03-27

1951 10 13
Saturday

Buffalo, N.Y.

Memorial Auditorium

Biggest Show Of 1951
- see 1951 09 21.

Stratemann p.329 citing Billboard 1951-11-03 p.24

djp

added 2011

updated 2013-03-27

1951 10 14
Sunday

Syracuse, N.Y.

Onondaga County War Memorial

Biggest Show Of 1951
- see 1951 09 21.

Stratemann p.329 citing Billboard 1951-11-03 p.24
Announcement, Syracuse Herald-American, 1951-11-14, p.29

djp

added 2011

updated 2013-03-29

1951 10 15
Monday

Rochester, N.Y.

Edgerton Park

Biggest Show Of 1951
- see 1951 09 21.

Stratemann p.329 citing Billboard 1951-11-03 p.24

djp

added 2011

updated 2013-03-27

1951 10 16
Tuesday

Cleveland, Oh.

Main Arena

Biggest Show Of 1951
- see 1951 09 21.

Stratemann p.329 citing Billboard 1951-11-03 p.24

Joe Mosbrook

added 2011

updated 2013-03-28

1951 10 17
Wednesday

Cincinnati, Oh.

The Gardens

Biggest Show Of 1951
- see 1951 09 21.

Stratemann p.329 citing

Billboard
1951-10-27 p.55
1951-11-03 p.24

djp

added 2011

updated 2013-03-27

1951 10 18
Thursday
8:30

Charleston, W.Va.

Auditorium

Biggest Show Of 1951
- see 1951 09 21.

Galperin Music ad, Charleston Gazette, 1951-10-17, p.7
Announcement, Charleston Gazette, 1951-10-18, p.19
Emotional Jazz,Vaudeville Touch Delight Ellington, Cole Devotees, Charleston Gazette, 1951-10-19 p.15
Stratemann p.329 citing Billboard 1951-11-03 p.24

djp

added 2011

updated 2013-03-28

1951 10 19
Friday

Pittsburgh, Penn.

Arena

Biggest Show Of 1951
- see 1951 09 21

Stratemann p.329 citing Billboard 1951-11-03 p.24

djp

Added 2011

updated 2013-03-27

1951 10 20
Saturday
8:30 PM

Scranton, Penn.

Sports Arena

Biggest Show Of 1951
- see 1951 09 21

CYC (Scranton) Sat. nite

The Greatest Show Ever

Duke Ellington
Nat King Cole
Sarah Vaughan
with 52 famous stars
Prices: $1.80, $2.50, $3.50

Ad, Binghamton Press, 1951-10-18, p.26
Stratemann p.329 citing Billboard 1951-11-03 p.24

djp

added 2011

updated 2013-03-28

1951 10 21
Sunday

Washington, D.C.

National Guard Armory

Biggest Show Of 1951 - two performances
- see 1951 09 21.

Stratemann p.329 citing

Billboard 1951-11-03 p.24
Variety 1951-140-17 p.62

djp

added 2011

updated 2013-03-27

1951 10 22
Monday

Roanoke, Va.

Municipal Auditorium

Biggest Show Of 1951
- see 1951 09 21.

Stratemann p.329 citing Billboard 1951-11-03 p.24

djp

added 2011

updated 2013-03-27

1951 10 23
Tuesday

Richmond, Va.

Mosque Auditorium

Biggest Show Of 1951
- see 1951 09 21

Return engagement

Stratemann p.329 citing Billboard 1951-11-03 p.24

djp

added 2011

updated 2013-03-27

1951 10 24
Wednesday

Raleigh, N.C.

Biggest Show Of 1951
- see 1951 09 21.

Stratemann p.329 citing Billboard 1951-11-03 p.24

djp

added 2011

updated 2013-03-27

1951 10 25
Thursday

Columbia, S.C.

Municipal Auditorium

Biggest Show Of 1951
- see 1951 09 21.

Stratemann p.329 citing Billboard 1951-11-03 p.24

djp

added 2011

updated 2013-03-27

1951 10 26
Friday

Atlanta, Ga.

City Auditorium

Biggest Show Of 1951
- see 1951 09 21

Ellington, Cole and Vaughan at City Auditorium Tonight, Atlanta Daily World, 1951-10-26
Ellington Plays As Atlantans Enter Back Door, Baltimore Afro-American 1951-11-03, p.3

N.Fernandez, djp

added 2013-04-10

1951 10 27
Saturday

activities not documented

1951 10 28
Sunday

activities not documented

1951 10 29
Monday

activities not documented

1951 10 30
Tuesday

Houston, Tex.

Biggest Show Of 1951
- see 1951 09 21

Stratemann p.329 citing Down Beat 1951-11-02

added 2011

updated

1951 10 31
Wednesday

activities not documented

November 1951

1951 11 01
Thursday

activities not documented

1951 11 02
Friday

activities not documented

1951 11 03
Saturday

activities not documented

1951 11 04
Sunday

activities not documented

1951 11 05
Monday

activities not documented

1951 11 06
Tuesday

activities not documented

1951 11 07
Wednesday

activities not documented

1951 11 08
Thursday

activities not documented

1951 11 09
Friday

activities not documented

1951 11 10
Saturday

St. Louis, Mo.

Convention Hall

Biggest Show Of 1951
- see 1951 09 21

djp

added 2011

updated 2013-03-27

1951 11 11
Sunday

Kansas City, Mo.

Municipal Auditorium

Biggest Show Of 1951
- see 1951 09 21

What to See in Kansas City, The Maryville Daily Forum, 1951-11-06 p.2

djp

added 2013-03-28

1951 11 12
Monday

activities not documented

1951 11 13
Tuesday

activities not documented

1951 11 14
Wednesday

activities not documented

1951 11 15
Thursday

PERSONNEL CHANGE

Willie Cook, trumpet, joins the band

New Desor vol.2

djp

Added 2012-10-11

1951 11 15
Thursday

Ann Arbor, Mich.

University of Michigan

Biggest Show Of 1951
- see 1951 09 21.

Part of this concert appears to have been recorded - three titles are listed in Timner - Love You Madly is on YouTube

Timner4, p.124

90,4-6

corr Timner-4/22

added 2011

updated 2013-03-28

1951 11 16
Friday

Troy, Ind.

Hobart Arena
255 Adams St.

Biggest Show Of 1951
- see 1951 09 21

The Lima News, Lima, Oh.

Announcement, 1951-11-06, p.12
Ad, 1951-11-13, p.16

added 2013-03-28

1951 11 17
Saturday
7 pm and 9 pm

West Lafayette, Ind.

Purdue Hall of Music
Purdue University campus

Two performances in this 6,005 seat theatre
Biggest Show Of 1951
- see 1951 09 21

Announcement, Kokomo Tribune, 1951-11-12, p.9

added 2013-03-28

1951 11 18
Sunday

Chicago, Ill.

Civic Opera House

Biggest Show Of 1951
- see 1951 09 21

Two performances

Poster or ad reproduced in Vail II

djp

added 2011

updated 2013-03-29

1951 11 19
Monday

Davenport, Ia.

Masonic Auditorium

Biggest Show Of 1951
- see 1951 09 21

Vail II

djp

added 2013-03-29

1951 11 20
Tuesday

activities not documented

1951 11 21
Wednesday

Minneapolis, Minn.

Municipal Auditorium

Biggest Show Of 1951
- see 1951 09 21.

Vail II

djp

added 2011

updated 2013-03-27

1951 11 22
Thursday

activities not documented

1951 11 23
Friday

activities not documented

1951 11 24
Saturday

activities not documented

1951 11 25
Sunday

Detroit, Mich.

Olympia Stadium

Biggest Show Of 1951
- see 1951 09 21

Steve Hoffman Music Forums - "Nat King Cole Year by Year"

djp

added 2013-03-29

1951 11 26
Monday
8:20 pm

Canton, Oh.

Canton Memorial Auditorium

Biggest Show Of 1951
- see 1951 09 21

Announcement, The Evening Independent, Massillon, Oh., 1951-11-23 p.17

added 2013-03-28

1951 11 27
Tuesday

Toledo, Oh.

Sports Arena

Biggest Show Of 1951
- see 1951 09 21.

djp

added 2011

updated 2013-03-27

1951 11 28
Wednesday

Columbus, Oh.

Memorial Hall

Two performances
Biggest Show Of 1951
- see 1951 09 21

Variety said this was the second last show of the tour.

djp

added 2011

updated 2013-03-27

1951 11 29
Thursday

Johnstown, Penn.

Cambria County War Memorial Arena
326 Napoleon St.

Biggest Show Of 1951
- see 1951 09 21.
M
The Indiana Evening Gazette reported the War Memorial had been trying to book the show, but the troupe had such an heavy performance schedule that it was "only last week" they learned November 29 was available.

Announcements

Bedford Gazette 1951-11-26 p.6
Indiana Evening Gazette 1951-11-26 p.9

djp

added 2013-03-28

1951 11 30
Friday

activities not documented

Page designed by
David Palmquist
Delta, BC, Canada

The Duke – Where and When

A Chronicle of Duke Ellington's
Working Life and Travels

Supporting webpage

The Biggest Show of 1951

1951

September 1951

October 1951

November 1951

October 1951

November 1951

The Duke – Where and When

A Chronicle of Duke Ellington'sWorking Life and Travels

Supporting webpage

The Biggest Show of 1951

1951

September 1951

October 1951

November 1951

October 1951

November 1951

A Chronicle of Duke Ellington's
Working Life and Travels