Lewis C. Wendell, Jr. Collection on the United States Information Agency-Duke Ellington Good Will Tour
Collection
Identifier: GTM-20220228
The collection consists of materials related to Duke Ellington concerts held in Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, and other nations, that were sponsored by the U.S. State Department in 1963. The materials were collected by Lewis C. Wendell, Jr., who served as a Consul with the United States Information Agency in that region. The collection includes photographs, programs, press releases, and seven audio recordings of concerts held in Lahore, Pakistan (1/4 inch magnetic tapes).
The collection primarily documents Ellington's concert in Lahore, Pakistan. However, there are programs and other press materials related the entire tour, which included concerts in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cyprus, Egypt, Greece, India, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Syria, and Turkey.
The collection also includes a 1971 State Department biographical listing for Lewis C. Wendell, Jr. and some photographs that were reprinted in the early 21st century.
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Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington (April 29, 1899 – May 24, 1974) was an American jazz pianist, composer, and leader of his eponymous jazz orchestra.
Considered one of the greatest jazz composers of all time, Duke Ellington had an enormous impact on the popular music of the late 20th century. Among his more than two thousand songs are such hits as “In A Sentimental Mood,” “Sophisticated Lady,” “I Got It Bad And That Ain’t Good,” and “I’m Beginning To See The Light.” For almost fifty years he toured the world as a band leader and piano player. Today his recordings remain among the most popular jazz of the big-band era.
(Source: Public Broadcasting Service. (2002, Dec 12). Duke Ellington Biography. PBS. Retrieved October 19, 2022, from https://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/duke-ellington-about-duke-ellington/586/)
Lewis C. Wendell, Jr. was a veteran and retired Foreign Service Officer. A veteran of WWII and Korea, he retired from the U.S. Army in 1962 with multiple medals and commendations, including the Bronze Star. From 1962 to 1973, he served as a Consul with the United States Information Agency in Lahore, Pakistan; New Delhi, India; and Saigon, Vietnam.
(Source: New York Times obituary)
0.75 Cubic Feet (2 boxes)
English
Like materials, such as photographs, have been grouped together by the processing archivist. Materials that were grouped together in binders or with clips have been kept together in folders or paper enclosures.
Gift of Jennifer Wendell, 2022.
The collection has been rehoused in archival-quality boxes and folders. Audio recordings were digitized in 2023.
Part of the Georgetown University Manuscripts Repository