Letter to the Musicians' Protective Association from Duke Ellington

Source catalog description

This description refers to material held by Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Visual details below describe the original material.

A two page letter from Duke Ellington to the Musicians' Protective Association, Local 767 written May 10, 1942. In the letter Duke Ellington files a claim against three parties to recover money owed him for arrangements of five numbers made for the show "Jump For Joy": He writes: "I am informed that the title of 'Jump for Joy,' the show and certain assets thereof are being sold at the office of Attorney Leo Gold in the Fox Building . . ." Ellington sought $1800 from the parties named in the suit, for arrangements of "Suntan Tenth of a Nation," "Two Left Feet," "Uncle Tom's Cabin," The Emperor's Bones," and "Cymbal Sockin' Sam."

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