Group of Nine Duke Ellington Songsheets Published by Exclusive Productions in the Late 1930s, Including a Copy of “La De Doody Doo” Signed by the Illustrator Billy DeBeck

New York: Exclusive Publications, Inc, 1939. Nine pieces of sheet music. Folio. Titles include: “Azure”; “Caravan”; “In a Sentimental Mood”; “La De Doody Doo”; “Lost in Meditation”; “Prelude to a Kiss”; “Scattin’ at the Kit Kat”; “Solitude”; “The Gal from Joe’s”. Generally very good plus to near fine with light handling wear; one piece, “La De Doody Doo,” signed by cartoonist Billy DeBeck. Covers bright with striking graphic illustration. Very good plus to Near Fine.. An uncommon and quite visually appealing group of Duke Ellington sheet music issued by Exclusive Publications, the publishing company established by Ellington’s manager Irving Mills during the 1930s to control and promote the band’s repertoire. Mills’s publishing strategy allowed compositions by Ellington and members of his orchestra to be circulated through sheet music and recordings while remaining closely tied to the Ellington organization itself, a system that helped solidify Ellington’s growing reputation as a major American composer during the swing era.

The cover designs are especially attractive, with a highlight being the signed copy of “La De Doody Doo” signed by the illustrator Billy DeBeck. DeBeck was one of the most popular cartoonists of the era, producing the Barney Google cartoon. Musically, the collection includes several of the most enduring compositions associated with the Ellington orchestra. “Caravan,” written with trombonist Juan Tizol, became one of the band’s most recognizable pieces with its distinctive exotic harmonic color. “In a Sentimental Mood,” “Prelude to a Kiss,” and “Solitude” are among the defining jazz ballads of the twentieth century. Ellington first recorded “Solitude” with his orchestra in Chicago in January 1934; according to band legend, the piece was composed in the studio twenty minutes before the recording session began. Other titles in the group—“Azure,” “Lost in Meditation,” “Scattin’ at the Kit Kat,” and “The Gal from Joe’s”—reflect the collaborative environment of Ellington’s orchestra, where musicians such as Juan Tizol contributed important compositions and Mills often participated in the publishing and lyric-writing process.

Overall a visually appealing and historically significant group from the golden age of the Duke Ellington orchestra. Full list as follows:

“Azure.” Duke Ellington and Irving Mills. New York City: Exclusive Publications, Inc., 1937. 4 pp. Excellent to Near Fine.

“Caravan.” Duke Ellington, Juan Tizol, and Irving Mills. New York City: Exclusive Publications, Inc., 1937. 6 pp. Very good plus.

“In A Sentimental Mood.” Duke Ellington. New York City: Exclusive Publications, Inc., 1935. 6 pp. Very good plus.

“La De Doody Doo.” Billy DeBeck, Duke Ellington, Edward J. Lambert, and Stephen Richards. New York City: Exclusive Publications, Inc., 1938. 6 pp. Signed by Billy DeBeck. Excellent.

“Lost in Meditation.” Duke Ellington, Juan Tizol, Lou Singer, and Irving Mills. New York City: Exclusive Publications, Inc., 1938. 4 pp. Excellent.

“Prelude to a Kiss.” Duke Ellington, Irving Gordon, and Irving Mills. New York City: Exclusive Publications, Inc., 1938. 6 pp. Near Fine.

“Scattin’ at the Kit Kat.” Irving Mills and Duke Ellington. New York City: Exclusive Publications, Inc., 1937. 6 pp. Excellent to Near Fine.

“Solitude.” Duke Ellington. New York City: Exclusive Publications, Inc., [1936]. 6 pp. Excellent.

“The Gal from Joe’s.” Irving Mills and Duke Ellington. New York City: Exclusive Publications, Inc., 1939. 6 pp. Very good plus.

See “Solitude, (1934), Duke Ellington at Swing and Beyond, https://swingandbeyond.com/2022/04/16/solitude-1934-duke-ellington-and-maxwell-davis-1960/ accessed 3/26.