Conversation so far:
What happened to Duke Ellington during the later 1930's?
From 1936, Duke Ellington began to make recordings with smaller groups and he composed pieces intended to feature a specific instrumentalist.
Why did Duke Ellington leave Irving Mills?
Duke Ellington left to sign on with the William Morris Agency.
How did Duke Ellington father die?
Was Duke Ellington successful with the William Morris Agency?
After only a year, his Master and Variety labels, collapsed in late 1937, Mills placed Duke Ellington back on Brunswick and those small group units on Vocalion through to 1940.

Question: How did the 1930's end for him?
Self-contained rewrite: How did the 1930's end for Duke Ellington?