Central City Opera House; Norman Thomas transcript

Central City Opera House; Norman Thomas

Side 1 contains a performance from the opening night of the tenth summer play festival of the Central City Opera House Association in Central City, Colorado on July 5, 1941. An Associated Press article from that date explains "For three weeks a cast recruited from New York's Metropolitan Opera Company, under the leadership of Robert Edmond Jones and Frank St. Leger, will present 'The Barber of Seville' and 'Orpheus and Eurydice' at the squat stone theater." This recording contains performances from Orpheus and Eurydice. Side 2 contains a speech by Norman Thomas of the Socialist Party of America.
Date: 1941-07-05~
Creator: Central City Opera House Association (Central City, Colo.)
System: The UNT Digital Library
Winston Churchill, August 24, 1941; Major George Fielding Elliot transcript

Winston Churchill, August 24, 1941; Major George Fielding Elliot

Recording of a speech by Winston Churchill on side 1, and commentary by Major George Fielding Eliot on side 2.
Date: 1941-08-24~
Creator: Churchill, Winston, 1874-1965 & Eliot, George Fielding, 1894-1971
System: The UNT Digital Library
News bulletin from Luzon, Philippines; Upton Close; Cedric Foster; John Daly; Joseph C. Harsch transcript

News bulletin from Luzon, Philippines; Upton Close; Cedric Foster; John Daly; Joseph C. Harsch

Recording of multiple news programs from various networks: A news bulletin from Luzon, in the Philippines; Upton Close, World Parade (NBC, WKY); Cedric Foster (Mutual, KOCY); John Daly, The World Today (CBS, KOMA); Joseph C. Harsch, The Meaning of the News (CBS, KOMA).
Date: February 4, 1945
Creator: Close, Upton, 1894-1960; Foster, Cedric & Daly, John Charles, 1914-1991
System: The UNT Digital Library
Duke Ellington Cavalcade, Parts 1 and 3 transcript

Duke Ellington Cavalcade, Parts 1 and 3

In Part 1, Willis Conover's Saturday Night Dance Party program begins with Artie Shaw's "Just Kiddin' Around." Conover then discusses the rarity of some of the records he will play during this program, which is dedicated to the music of Duke Ellington, with selections "Animal Crackers," (sound drops briefly) "Bugle Call Rag," Freeze and Melt," and "Black and Tan Fantasy." In Part 3, Conover and Emerson Parker, an Ellington expert, record collector, and broadcaster at station WQQW, introduce selections including "Black Beauty" and "I've Got the World on a String."
Date: April 20, 1946
Creator: Conover, Willis
System: The UNT Digital Library
Duke Ellington Cavalcade, Parts 2 and 4 transcript

Duke Ellington Cavalcade, Parts 2 and 4

In Part 2, Conover introduces Emerson Parker, an Ellington expert, record collector, and broadcaster at station WQQW, who introduces "Take It Easy," "Mood Indigo," "Sweet Mama," and "Hot and Bothered." In Part 4, Conover and Parker introduce "I've Got to Be a Rug Cutter," "Ebony Rhapsody," "Stompy Jones," and "In the Shade of the Old Apple Tree" (the end of the introduction and the tune are in part 5). Gil Lilly is credited as working in the control room.
Date: April 20, 1946
Creator: Conover, Willis
System: The UNT Digital Library
Duke Ellington Cavalcade, Parts 5 and 7 transcript

Duke Ellington Cavalcade, Parts 5 and 7

In Part 5, Emerson Parker's introduction of "In the Shade of the Old Apple Tree" concludes, followed by the tune, along with "Solitude," "Clarinet Lament," "Ring Dem Bells," and "Hodge Podge" (introduction only, tune is in part 6). In Part 7, after station identification, Conover notes that Jerry Rhea will be joining the discussion soon, and reminisces about broadcasting during a stay at Walter Reed Army Medical Center while in military service; Conover also asks listeners to send comments on the program. Parker and Conover introduce "Tootin' Through the Roof," "Pitter Panther Patter," "Warm Valley," and "Do Nothing 'Til You Hear from Me."
Date: April 21, 1946
Creator: Conover, Willis
System: The UNT Digital Library
Duke Ellington Cavalcade, Parts 6 and 8 transcript

Duke Ellington Cavalcade, Parts 6 and 8

In Part 6, "Hodge Podge" is followed by Willis Conover and Emerson Parker introducing, "Braggin' in Brass," "Boy Meets Horn," "Mobile Bay, and "Night Song." In Part 8, "Do Nothing 'Til You Hear from Me" is followed by Cottontail, and Conover and Parker discussing "Take the A-Train," and "Just A-Sittin' and A-Rockin'." Conover talks about seeing Ellington live for the first time just a few months before, at Turner's Arena.
Date: April 21, 1946
Creator: Conover, Willis
System: The UNT Digital Library
Duke Ellington Cavalcade, Parts 9 and 11 transcript

Duke Ellington Cavalcade, Parts 9 and 11

In Part 9, Conover introduces Duke Ellington himself, along with Billy Strayhorn, to Emerson Parker, and interviews Ellington about his personnel, travel plans, and early recordings. In Part 11, the interview continues after selections from Ellington's Black, Brown & Beige Suite.
Date: April 21, 1946
Creator: Conover, Willis
System: The UNT Digital Library
Duke Ellington Cavalcade, Parts 10 and 12 transcript

Duke Ellington Cavalcade, Parts 10 and 12

In Part 10, the interview with Duke Ellington continues, up to the introduction of the Black, Brown & Beige Suite. In Part 12, the interview continues further, including discussion of Mercer Ellington. Conover speaks more about his stay at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, along with fellow broadcaster Mark Austad (later known as Mark Evans). Jerry Rhea also speaks. Conover credits Frank Turner as the photographer for the evening (images are also in this collection), and notes that those in attendance included Ellington, Billy Strayhorn, Jerry Rhea with his wife and sister, Oscar Pettiford, and Emerson Parker. The recording closes with "Ring Dem Bells."
Date: April 21, 1946
Creator: Conover, Willis
System: The UNT Digital Library
EnBee Jamboree, August 22, 1947 transcript

EnBee Jamboree, August 22, 1947

Willis Conover hosts a program advertising the holdings of EnBee Records, at 1016 7th St NW in Washington, D.C. The theme song is Stan Kenton's "Machito,"and other selections include Francis Craig, "Near You"; The Beale Street Boys, "Lights Out"; the signoff theme from Sunday spirituals show, “God Be With You”; and the King Cole Trio, "I Miss You So."
Date: August 22, 1947
Creator: Conover, Willis
System: The UNT Digital Library
EnBee Jamboree, June 14, 1947; labor dispute arbitration transcript

EnBee Jamboree, June 14, 1947; labor dispute arbitration

On side 1, Willis Conover hosts a program advertising the holdings of EnBee Record Sales, at 1016 7th St NW in Washington, D.C. The theme song is Stan Kenton's "Machito,"and other selections include Roy Milton's "Camille's Boogie"; Duke Ellington, "Minnehaha Part 2"; Reverend Utah Smith, "God's Mighty Hand;" and Herb Jeffries, "When I Write My Song." Side 2 contains a labor arbitration hearing between the Bakery and Confectionary Union Local 350 AFL, an employer (Mr. C), and a former employee (Mr. A). Arbitrators include Dr. Jane Emmel Gorman of Hunter College, and John A. Zellers, former president of the New York Board of Trade.
Date: June 14, 1947
Creator: Conover, Willis
System: The UNT Digital Library
Hazel and Harold, April 21, 1946 transcript

Hazel and Harold, April 21, 1946

Recording of a radio comedy, Hazel and Harold, featuring Willis Conover as Harold and Nathalie Sherman as Hazel. The program is reminiscent of the early Ethel and Albert programs he did with Peg Lynch at WTBO in Cumberland, Maryland, before the Second World War.
Date: April 21, 1946
Creator: Conover, Willis
System: The UNT Digital Library
Hazel and Harold, March 3, 1946 transcript

Hazel and Harold, March 3, 1946

Recording of a radio comedy, Hazel and Harold, featuring Willis Conover as Harold and Nathalie Sherman as Hazel. The program is reminiscent of the early Ethel and Albert programs he did with Peg Lynch at WTBO in Cumberland, Maryland, before the Second World War.
Date: March 3, 1946
Creator: Conover, Willis
System: The UNT Digital Library
Lionel Hampton at the Howard Theater, May 8, 1946, part 5 transcript

Lionel Hampton at the Howard Theater, May 8, 1946, part 5

Conclusion of the concert by Lionel Hampton and his band, performing at a benefit for the Junior Citizens and Police Corps at the Howard Theater. The recording consists mainly of a drum solo.
Date: May 8, 1946
Creator: Conover, Willis
System: The UNT Digital Library
Nat "King" Cole Trio with Willis Conover transcript

Nat "King" Cole Trio with Willis Conover

Willis Conover presents Nat "King" Cole and his trio in a special message broadcast to his sister, Elizabeth, on the occasion of her wedding.
Date: October 9, 1946
Creator: Conover, Willis
System: The UNT Digital Library
Selections from the Dixieland vs. Bebop Concert, Washington, D.C., May 23, 1948 transcript

Selections from the Dixieland vs. Bebop Concert, Washington, D.C., May 23, 1948

Recording of selections from the Dixieland vs. Bebop concert held May 23, 1948, at the Music Hall at 9th and V Streets, NW, in Washington, DC. Advertisements for the concert indicate that Charlie Parker, Wild Bill Davison, Joe Sullivan, Sir Charles, and George Wettling were among the performers. These selections include tunes not included on the 2008 commercial release "Charlie Parker: Washington D.C. 1948," as well as enough overlap in content (C-Jam Blues, Tiny's Blues) to confirm the event.
Date: May 23, 1948
Creator: Conover, Willis
System: The UNT Digital Library
Willis Conover: American Jazz #1 transcript

Willis Conover: American Jazz #1

The second part of a broadcast which featured Willis Conover discussing the music of Duke Ellington, followed by a translation in Swedish by an unknown speaker. This program occurred more than five years before the beginning of Conover's long-running VOA program, Music USA.
Date: August 23, 1949
Creator: Conover, Willis
System: The UNT Digital Library
Willis Conover interviews Duke Ellington, March 27, 1948 transcript

Willis Conover interviews Duke Ellington, March 27, 1948

Recording of an interview by Willis Conover with Duke Ellington on March 27, 1948. Topics include the story behind the robe Ellington was wearing backstage, musicians, and the re-working of old material. The audio includes announcements of tune selections to be added in the studio later.
Date: March 27, 1948
Creator: Conover, Willis
System: The UNT Digital Library
Willis Conover interviews George Shearing, November 2, 1949 transcript

Willis Conover interviews George Shearing, November 2, 1949

Willis Conover interviews George Shearing. This is the raw interview, and refers to song selections to be inserted later.
Date: November 2, 1949
Creator: Conover, Willis
System: The UNT Digital Library
Willis Conover interviews Stan Kenton, WWDC, January 14, 1947, Parts I and III transcript

Willis Conover interviews Stan Kenton, WWDC, January 14, 1947, Parts I and III

Willis Conover interviews Stan Kenton, asking his opinion on various musical selections. In Part III, he brings in a listener who was critical of Kenton to have a dialogue directly with him.
Date: January 14, 1947
Creator: Conover, Willis
System: The UNT Digital Library
Willis Conover interviews Stan Kenton, WWDC, January 14, 1947, Parts II and IV transcript

Willis Conover interviews Stan Kenton, WWDC, January 14, 1947, Parts II and IV

Willis Conover interviews Stan Kenton, and asks him to comment on musical selections.
Date: January 14, 1947
Creator: Conover, Willis
System: The UNT Digital Library
Willis Conover radio announcement: Daylight Saving Time and Ellington concert transcript

Willis Conover radio announcement: Daylight Saving Time and Ellington concert

Recording of Duke Ellington's theme song, "Take the 'A' Train," followed by Willis Conover briefly announcing that the Duke Ellington show usually airing at 1:00 a.m. on Saturdays would not occur due to the change to Daylight Saving Time, and that an Ellington concert at the Watergate barge originally scheduled for Monday, June 9 was moved to Friday, June 13. The occurrence of the dates on those weekdays places the recording in 1947.
Date: 1947
Creator: Conover, Willis
System: The UNT Digital Library
WWDC, Meet the Composer: Duke Ellington, Part I transcript

WWDC, Meet the Composer: Duke Ellington, Part I

Willis Conover presents a program on the music of Duke Ellington.
Date: October 31, 1948
Creator: Conover, Willis
System: The UNT Digital Library
Duke Ellington at the piano, April 21, 1946, 2:05-2:35 a.m. transcript

Duke Ellington at the piano, April 21, 1946, 2:05-2:35 a.m.

Recording of Duke Ellington playing solo piano, following a late-night interview with Willis Conover at radio station WWDC.
Date: April 21, 1946
Creator: Conover, Willis & Ellington, Duke, 1899-1974
System: The UNT Digital Library