Conversation so far:
Did anything specific happen in the later 1930s for Duke Ellington?
Billy Strayhorn became a vital member of the Duke Ellington organization and the 1930s ended with a very successful European tour just as World War II loomed in Europe.
What kind of recordings did Duke Ellington do during the later 1930s?
From 1936, Duke Ellington began to make recordings with smaller groups drawn from his then-15-man orchestra and he composed pieces intended to feature a specific instrumentalist.
Did Duke Ellington perfrom in the later 1930s?
The 1930s ended with a very successful European tour for the Duke Ellington organization just as World War II loomed in Europe.

Question: DId he do any touring during this time?
Self-contained rewrite: Did Duke Ellington do any touring during this time?