Smith, Willie "The Lion." (1893-1973) & Ellington, Duke. (1899-1974) . "Freedom Is Sweet" - Original Signed Contract. Original signed contract for the song "Freedom Is Sweet," signed by the co-composers Duke Ellington and Willie "The Lion" Smith, as well as Duke's sister Ruth Ellington, representative of Tempo Music, Inc. Dated February 14, 1968. The song, part of Ellington's 1968 Second Sacred Concert, includes the charming lyrics "Freedom is sweet - on the beat- freedom is sweet to the reet complete. It's got zestness and bestness - sugar and cream on the blessedness." Ellington considered his three Sacred Concerts, a mix of jazz and sacred choral writing, "the most important thing I have ever done." 2 pp. In very fine condition. 8.5 x 13 inches (21.7 x 33 cm). Provenance: Duke Ellington Estate.
Willie "The Lion" Smith was an American jazz pianist and one of the masters of the stride style, usually grouped with James P. Johnson and Thomas "Fats" Waller as the three greatest practitioners of the genre in its golden age, from about 1920 to 1943. He was also an early influence on and longtime friend to Ellington.
Smith, Willie "The Lion." (1893-1973) & Ellington, Duke. (1899-1974) . "Freedom Is Sweet" - Original Signed Contract. Original signed contract for the song "Freedom Is Sweet," signed by the co-composers Duke Ellington and Willie "The Lion" Smith, as well as Duke's sister Ruth Ellington, representative of Tempo Music, Inc. Dated February 14, 1968. The song, part of Ellington's 1968 Second Sacred Concert, includes the charming lyrics "Freedom is sweet - on the beat- freedom is sweet to the reet complete. It's got zestness and bestness - sugar and cream on the blessedness." Ellington considered his three Sacred Concerts, a mix of jazz and sacred choral writing, "the most important thing I have ever done." 2 pp. In very fine condition. 8.5 x 13 inches (21.7 x 33 cm). Provenance: Duke Ellington Estate.
Willie "The Lion" Smith was an American jazz pianist and one of the masters of the stride style, usually grouped with James P. Johnson and Thomas "Fats" Waller as the three greatest practitioners of the genre in its golden age, from about 1920 to 1943. He was also an early influence on and longtime friend to Ellington.