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Ellington's Lost Sacred Concert Found!
22 Feb
Summary
- Duke Ellington's 1966 sacred music concert film rediscovered.
- Concert was a unique performance in Coventry Cathedral.
- Film discovery is a landmark moment for jazz history.
A significant moment in British jazz history, Duke Ellington's Concert of Sacred Music performed at Coventry Cathedral in February 1966, has been brought to light. Ellington composed a new work, 'Come Easter,' specifically for this occasion, a piece only ever performed once. The concert, which marked the end of his European tour with Ella Fitzgerald, was filmed by ABC Midlands and thought lost for over 50 years.
This unique performance took place in the newly consecrated Coventry Cathedral, designed by Basil Spence. The discovery of a degraded copy of the film in 2017, initially mislabeled as 'Celebration,' is considered thrilling by researchers. Its subsequent restoration has provided an invaluable record of a landmark event for both Ellington's career and the cultural history of Coventry as a public venue.
