Let us celebrate with this film of Duke Ellington and his Orchestra performing his Sacred Concert at Coventry Cathedral in England — a film aired on Granada Television on April 10, 1966, and then presumed lost. What was lost now is found. It was aired again in 2018, but I believe this is the first time the whole program has been shared online.
Thanks to Jean-Marie Juif of the Duke Ellington Society for his wise encouragement.
Duke Ellington And His Orchestra : Cootie Williams, Cat Anderson, Herbie Jones, Mercer Ellington, trumpet; Lawrence Brown, Chuck Connors, Buster Cooper, trombone; Jimmy Hamilton, clarinet, tenor saxophone; Russell Procope, alto saxophone, clarinet; Johnny Hodges, alto saxophone; Paul Gonsalves, tenor saxophone; Harry Carney, baritone saxophone, clarinet, bass-clarinet; Duke Ellington, piano; John Lamb, double bass; Sam Woodyard, drums. George Webb, Cliff Adams Singers, vocal. NEW WORLD A-COMIN’ (Ellington, solo) / COME SUNDAY – MONTAGE – COME EASTER / TELL ME IT’S THE TRUTH / IN THE BEGINNIG GOD / WEST INDIAN PANCAKE / LA PLUS BELLE AFRICAINE // Performed on Monday, february 21, 1966; aired on April 10, 1966.
May your happiness increase!
JAZZ LIVES 
Oh Michael, what a delight! Thank you so much for posting this as we not only celebrate Juneteenth but also the 125th birthday and 50th anniversary of the passing of the Maestro. So wonderful to see the entire band perform his Sacred Concert. Johnny Hodges always connects directly to my heart.
You’re my ideal audience!
Keep it up! Play to yout audience!
“In the Beginning was The Word”
That is, sound manifested creation. The Universe was sung into existence.
Bravo, thanks for sharing this incredible performance!