The Duke Ellington Society (TDES, Inc.) supports the international effort which addresses both the intellectual and the musical aspects of the Duke Ellington story. Three-day international conferences explore the social, historical, intellectual, and musical aspects of Ellington and Duke's collaborator, Billy Strayhorn.

During the day, there are presentations of thought-provoking research papers, films, rare recordings, and exhibits. Dealers attend offering all sorts of books, records and CDs, and jazz memorabilia. Each night, there is an exciting concert featuring small groups and big bands made up of top-flight musicians.

Perhaps the most valuable benefit of the conference is the gathering together of enthusiastic people sharing the magic of Ellington and Strayhorn. These include jazz fans, musicians, scholars from all over the world as well as members of the Ellington and Strayhorn families. These conferences have been held in various cities in England, Canada, Denmark, Sweden and the United States with attendees coming from five continents.

Members of TDES, Inc. are kept informed and are encouraged to attend.

The Duke Ellington Society (TDES Inc.) has produced two conferences:

Ellington '86 - June 12-14, 1986 Newark, New Jersey - Rutgers University
Ellington '86, the fourth Ellington Study Conference was produced by the Ellington Society with the assistance of The Institute of Jazz Studies at Rutgers University. Radio Station WBGO provided the Wednesday evening reception. Jimmy Springer and Dick Fairfeld were President and Vice President of the Society at the time. Morris Hodara was Conference Chairman. Jerry Valburn organized the day program and Dick Fairfeld was responsible for the music each evening. Conference committee members, in addition to the above, included: Ulysses LaPradde, Jack McDonough, Dan Morgenstern, Charles Russell and Loren Schoenberg. Conference attendees stayed at the Quality Inn in Newark and attended sessions on the Rutgers campus in Newark.

Ellington '93 - August 11- 15, 1993 Crowne Plaza Holiday Inn - 49th & Broadway, New York
Ellington '93 "Cotton Club to Carnegie Hall" celebrated the 50th Anniversary of Duke's first concert at Carnegie Hall (January 1943). At the time of the Conference, Morris Hodara was President and Lynne Mueller was Vice President and Ellington '93 Chairman. Krin Gabbard organized the Day Program and Loren Schoenberg was the Director of Music. Other committee members in addition to those listed above included: Marlene Carman, Ray Carman, Tom Detienne, Krin Gabbard, Tom Harris, Susan Lopeman (for Ellington '93 logo), Louise Michele, Larry Mirando, Azariah Morton, Rigmor Newman, C. Claiborne Ray, Walter Schaap, John Verity and Art Zimmerman.

During the last several years, as a "monthly" meeting, usually in November, the Ellington Society has organized one-day conferences in the New York City area. Four one-day conferences have been held between 1999 to 2002. These essentially are one-day versions of the Ellington International Study Group Conferences.

The session opens with a Continental Breakfast at 9:30 AM followed by approximately 4 - 5 scholarly papers/talks on Ellingtonia and a live music mini-concert. A mid-day break for lunch provides an opportunity for Ellington enthusiasts to share information about the Maestro and perhaps a "walking tour". These mini-conferences are open to members, as well as, the general public. The first two conferences were held at the Society's meeting place, Saint Peter's Church in New York City. The third and fourth conferences were held in collaboration with The Institute of Jazz Studies at Rutgers University in Newark, New Jersey, USA. Topics have included a variety of subjects focused on Ellingtonia.

More information about the Ellington conferences, including a list of all conferences held around the world since the beginning will be available in the Conference Archives.