Ulysses 'Blackie' Auger, owner of Duke Ellington Building and Mercer Ellington, Duke Ellington's son, unveil plaque marking Duke Ellington's birth site.
Bassist Keter Betts, clarinetist and owner of Blues Alley Tommy Gwaltney, guitarist Steve Jordan and unidentified trumpet player play on stage. Inscribed in image: "Tommy Gwaltney - orig. / owner of Blues Alley / Keter Betts -Bass"
Musicians perform on stage. Left to Right: Saxophonist Stan Getz, saxophonist Illinois Jacquet, saxophonist Zoot Sims, guitarist George Benson, saxophonist Benny Carter, saxophonist Gerry Mulligan (on clarinet) and an unidentified man plays the tenor saxophone.
Group portrait of bandleader / drummer Spike Jones, Felix Grant, Jackson Weaver and unidentified men. Felix Grant, second from the right on the last row; WMAL's Jackson Weaver, last person on the right in the front row; Spike Jones, third person from the left on the front row wearing a checkered suit. Inscribed in image: "To / Felix Grant / In / Sincere appreciation / Spike Jones"
Felix Grant receives Blues Alley Jazz Contributions Award from Blues Alley owner John T. Bunyan for his role in promoting jazz and blues musicians and their work in the Washington, D.C. area. Reuben Brown seated at piano in background. Microphones inscribed: "WMAL / AM / 63"
Full-length portrait of seated vocalist / guitarist João Gilberto. Inscribed in image: "[illegible] / Felix Grant / grande abra o e obrigada / do amigo, João Gilberto / Rio 1/7/61"
Inscribed in plaque: "2129 / WARD PLACE, N.W. / BIRTH SITE OF / Duke Ellington / April 29, 1899 - May 24, 1974 / Edward Kennedy Ellington, a native of Washington, / D.C., was America's pre-eminent composer, musical / innovator, orchestrator, and pianist. His unique and / elegant musical style provided the wonderfully imangi- / native harmonies and richly textured arrangements / that characterized both his solo piano performances / and his orchestrations. We, the beneficiaries of Duke / Ellington's great musical legacy, are honored to par- / ticipate in the celebration of his life and work. / DEDICATED BY / The Duke Ellington Commemorative Committee for the / Duke Ellington International Festival / April 29, 1987 / SPONSORED BY / The D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities / Government of the District of Columbia / Marion Barry, Jr., Mayor"
Pianist Oscar Peterson, drummer Ed Thigpen and bassist Ray Brown perform. Four unidentified men are on the stage in the background. Inmates sitting on bleachers and a high wall connected to a guard tower are visible in the background.