Skip to main content Skip to main navigation
heart-solid My Visit Donate
Home Smithsonian Institution IK development site for ODI
Press Enter to activate a submenu, down arrow to access the items and Escape to close the submenu.
    • Overview
    • Museums and Zoo
    • Entry and Guidelines
    • Museum Maps
    • Dine and Shop
    • Accessibility
    • Visiting with Kids
    • Group Visits
    • Overview
    • Exhibitions
    • Online Events
    • All Events
    • IMAX & Planetarium
    • Overview
    • Topics
    • Collections
    • Research Resources
    • Stories
    • Podcasts
    • Overview
    • For Caregivers
    • For Educators
    • For Students
    • For Academics
    • For Lifelong Learners
    • Overview
    • Become a Member
    • Renew Membership
    • Make a Gift
    • Volunteer
    • Overview
    • Our Organization
    • Our Leadership
    • Reports and Plans
    • Newsdesk
heart-solid My Visit Donate

Ebony rhapsody [music]

American History Museum

Object Details

Composer

Johnston, Arthur
Coslow, Sam

Collection Creator

Ellington, Duke, 1899-1974

Collection Citation

Duke Ellington Collection, Archives Center, National Museum of American History

Scope and Contents

see MURDER AT THE VANITIES
10 parts and an indefinite number of scores.
Ebony rhapsody is contained in two of eight folders for "Murder at the Vanities" consisting of 1 published four-page piano conductor score and 5 parts in G Major concert, 1 six-page short score in Bb Major concert, 2 parts in Eb Major concert, and 1 lead sheet and 2 parts in Ab Major concert -- in ink, pencil and photocopy -- in unidentified hands (DE, ME, Tizol?).
Folder A contains items in 3 groupings -- (i) Piano conductor score and part in G Major. Score indicates parts for trombone, voice. Lyrics begin "There's rhythm down in Martinique Isle ...". Part for banjo. -- (ii) Parts in Ab Major for 1 reed - Carney; 1 trumpet - 3. -- (iii) Parts in Eb Major for 1 reed - Ben; 1 trumpet - Cooty.
Folder B contains short score in Bb Major and lead sheet in Ab Major. Short score indicates parts for alto, trumpet, trombone. Lead sheet for voice. Lyrics begin "Ebony, ev'rybody goes for ebony ...".
Folder C contains parts in G Major for 1 reed - Carney; 2 trumpets - 1, 2; bass.
Folder A and Folder C from the Duke Ellington Library.
sova.nmah.ac.0301_ref39395

GUID

https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep865b817b8-ecc7-4ca9-8c17-dbe94302e808

General

Part for Cooty in Folder A, grouping iii (photocopy) is originally noted on the bottom of a part for "Old story." A part for an untitled piece is also contained in Folder C. Additional materials for this piece are contained in "Murder at the Vanities scores," grouping ii. Handwriting and other details have been reported based on the notes of David Berger, Andrew Homzy, Dr. Theodore Hudson, Walter van de Leur, and Mark Tucker.

Other Title

Rhapsodie.
Rhapsody.
Ebony.

Publication

New York, NY, Paramount Music Corporation, 1934

Topic

Music -- United States -- 20th century

Composer

Johnston, Arthur
Coslow, Sam

See more items in

Duke Ellington Collection
Duke Ellington Collection / Series 1: Music Manuscripts / 1.1: Music Manuscripts / 1.1.6: E

Sponsor

Processing and encoding partially funded by a grant from the Council on Library and Information Resources.

Biographical / Historical

Folder B from the Mercer Ellington Library.

Extent

1 Item (manuscript, 35 cm.)
1 Item (mixed score(s) and/or part(s) (holograph), 32 cm.)
8 Items (manuscripts, 32 cm.)
1 Item (part (photocopy), 28 cm.)
1 Item (conductor score and/or parts (Published sheet music), 28 cm.)

Condition

Fair, worn, stained.

Date

1934

Container

Box 110 (Series 1), Folder 9

Archival Repository

Archives Center, National Museum of American History

Type

Archival materials
Manuscripts
Holographs
Lead sheet
Music
Parts (musical)
Photocopies
Piano conductor scores
Published sheet music
Short scores

Collection Rights

Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions. Copyright restrictions. Consult the Archives Center at archivescenter@si.edu or 202-633-3270. Paul Ellington, executor, is represented by: Richard J.J. Scarola, Scarola Ellis LLP, 888 Seventh Avenue, 45th Floor, New York, New York 10106. Telephone (212) 757-0007 x 235; Fax (212) 757-0469; email: rjjs@selaw.com; www.selaw.com; www.ourlawfirm.com.

Genre/Form

Manuscripts -- Music -- 20th century
Holographs
Lead sheet
Music
Parts (musical)
Photocopies
Piano conductor scores
Published sheet music
Short scores

Collection Restrictions

Collection is open for research but the original and master audiovisual materials are stored off-site and special arrangements must be made to work with it. Contact the Archives Center for information at archivescenter@si.edu or 202-633-3270.
NMAH.AC.0301_ref39395
Large EAD
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep865b817b8-ecc7-4ca9-8c17-dbe94302e808
NMAH.AC.0301
ACAH

Record ID

ebl-1503510514217-1503510514776-3

Showing 1 result(s)

Duke Ellington Collection

arrow-up Back to top
Home
  • Facebook facebook
  • Instagram instagram
  • LinkedIn linkedin
  • YouTube youtube

  • Contact Us
  • Get Involved
  • Shop Online
  • Job Opportunities
  • Equal Opportunity
  • Inspector General
  • Records Requests
  • Accessibility
  • Host Your Event
  • Press Room
  • Privacy
  • Terms of Use