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Letter: Breaking the colour barrier in Richmond

Dear Editor, Re: “The night I met Duke Ellington,” Voices , June 10. Nadine Jones had a wonderful article printed in your June 10, 2016 issue, marred only by the statement that Duke Ellington broke the colour bar in the Cotton Club.
Richmond News
Ellington Jones
Nadine Jones, left, chair the 1970 Salvation Army funding drive, managed to get Duke Ellington to lead the Salvation Army band at it`s open air concert. Evelyn Caldwell (Miss Sally Ann) left and Jones`` two daughters were also on hand. Photo submitted

Dear Editor,

Re: “The night I met Duke Ellington,” Voices, June 10.

 Nadine Jones had a wonderful article printed in your June 10, 2016 issue, marred only by the statement that Duke Ellington broke the colour bar in the Cotton Club.

While Ellington certainly played the Cotton Club many times, he was not the first entertainer of colour.

The Cotton Club, while located in Harlem initially, had a white’s-only policy for visitors, but the entertainment was all black.

The initial club band, when it opened in 1923, was that of Andy Preer who was black. When Preer died in May, 1927, Duke’s band was hired to succeed him.

That engagement lasted until June 30, 1930. Ellington did return for several engagements thereafter.

Please thank your correspondent, Ms. Jones, for the article. As an Ellington fan for more than 60 years, it’s always gratifying to have Duke and his music remembered.

Stan Brager

Richmond