All DESS members should by now enjoy the new members-only CD with broadcasts from Hotel Sherman in September-October 1940. If you are not a member yet, get yourself a membership as quickly as possible.
The restaurant of the hotel was called College In and housed the Panther Room / Malaya Room nightclub.
It was there the famous big bands of the era played and from where radio broadcasts as those of the DESS CD emanated.
Ellington had his long sojourn there in September-October 1940 partly because Benny Goodman had fallen ill and had cancel to his engagement scheduled for October.
The Duke would be back at Hotel Sherman in July-August 1942 for another long engagement.