The day before the start of the conference all key participants and speakers gathered in Newark. In the video below by Sjef Hoesmit, one can see Patricia Willard, Alice Babs, Jerry Valburn, Steven Lasker and many others.
Morris Hodera, President of the organising committee gathered everybody around him and gave practical instructions before the all walked to the premises of radio station WBGO to enjoy the reception it offered and to meet other Ellington friends like Don Miller, Jack Towers, Don Hanson and Andrew Homzy.
The next video, I will publish in a couple of days, will be a concert with Jaki Byrd offering a solo piano concert and Milt Grayson doing some vocals.
Stay tuned!
Author and video editor: Ulf Lundin