Scarce and highly collectible original first printin g concert poster advertising. Duke Ellington at the Teatro Sistina in Rome [Italy] on Wednesday, 22nd February, 1967, with an orchestra consisting of Johnny Hodges, Jimmy Hamilton, Paul Gonsalves, Harry Carney, Russell Procope (saxes); Chuck Connors, Buster Cooper, Lawrence Brown (trombones); Cat Anderson, Cootie Williams, Mercer Ellington, Herbie Jones (trumpets); John Lamb (bass), and Rufus Jones (drums). The concert in Rome was part of lengthy European tour commencing at the Teatro Lirico in Milan on 15th January and ending at the Theatre Des Champs Elysée in Paris on 10th March, 1967. Not long after returning to the States, Elligton was hit with the news that his friend and long-time collaborator Billy Strayhorn had finally succumbed to esophageal cancer on 31st May. In August Ellington went into the studio with producers Steve Backer and Brad McCuen to record… And His Mother Called Him Bill – Ellington’s tribute to Strayhdorn. Featuring Strayhorn’s arrangements and compositions, it includes well-known compositions as well as unrecorded music. While in the hospital Strayhorn had submitted his final composition, “Blood Count”, to Ellington, which was used as the third track on the album. Ellington chose the songs to demonstrate Strayhorn’s versatility and range, as well as to pay homage to the qualities that he most admired in his late writing partner. The last track of the album is a spontaneous solo version of “Lotus Blossom” performed by Ellington, who sat at the piano and played for his friend while the band (who can be heard in the background) packed up after the formal end of the recording session. Released on Bluebird Records in 1968. And His Mother Called Him Bill. Won the Grammy Award for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album in 1969. An extremely rare piece of original 1960s European Ellington concert memorabilia. The poster measures 32.2 x 69.8 cm approx. 12.7″ by 27.5″ inches and is beautifully printed in red, blue and black inks on thin, smooth-finish paper stock. The poster has been folded thrice, else in remarkably near excellent condition considering it’s well over 50 years old! Please see all supersized images below for the exact condition of the poster. All items are guaranteed original and come with a guarantee of your satisfaction. Auctiva offers Free Image Hosting and Editing. Auctiva gets you noticed! Track Page Views With.