634 St. Nicholas Avenue,
New York, 30, New York,
November 25, 1943.

Mr. James E. Davis,
3d Band, AARTC,
Fort Eustis, Virginia.

Dear Jimmy,

Just back from Fisk and find your letter here. Sure, I'd be delighted to come over to Fort Eustis and give a short program for the men if they wish me to do so. It could be late afternoon or the evening of Tuesday, November 30th, as I'll be free at Hampton after luncheon. I have to catch a Wednesday morning train for Richmond as I speak in Raleigh that night. I arrive Hampton Monday afternoon at 4:25, so would you or Major Williams drop me a note there, c/o Prof. J. Saunders Redding, Communications Center, Hampton Institute, Hampton, Virginia, letting me know what your arrangements are? Or perhaps you could reach me by phone through Mr. Redding.....Where would your program be? Perhaps in the library of the Service Club? At any rate, it should be in a quiet and not too large a place.....I'm glad FREEDOM'S PLOW was well received.....I see where Billy Holiday is closing at the Onyx Club. Never did get around to hearing her.....Looking forward to seeing you next week,

C O P Y

634 St. Nicholas Avenue,
New York, 30, New York,
December 8, 1943.

Dear Mr. Davis,

This is to thank you, Chaplain Pryor, and your fellow officers
for your kind hospitality on the occasion of my recent visit
to Fort Eustis. I enjoyed very much the excellent dinner, the
cordial audience which greeted me at Chapel, and the dance
afterwards.

Please tell your Chaplain that a few days later I had the pleasure of visiting Meredith College in Raleigh, which his daughter attended, and where I was most cordially received. Please tell him also that I greatly appreciated the Bible which he so thoughtfully presented me after the program at Fort Eustis.

With very best regards, I am

159th Army Band
Fort Eustis, Va.

Dear Lang:

You MILLIONAIRE. How do you do it? Let me in on
the secret. I like to fly too. Say, we'll be going somewhere
soon. Can't say where just yet.

Did you strike gold in California? Movies? Lectures?
Chuck and Chuckles and a USO camp show were on the post
last night (I'll see the show tonight). Seven pieces from the band
played for the show.

Man, this Jim-Crow is really getting me down and
I aint kiddin'. It is conceivable that we'll be farther south
and you know how I'll feel about that. It is bad
enough here. Would be very happy if we were sent "up
nawth"

Went to a dance with the band last evening and had
a ball--fine chicks and all that goes with it.

Some three piece combination (Eddie Haywood) has
recorded "lover-man". Ram took the song from Herman Kanes
and I understand has placed it with LEEDS, which is quite a
publisher. Was up last week-end and found out that he had been
trying to get in touch with me for quite some time. He was in
Washington with John Kirby so I didn't get to see him--nor you.

Should try to get up next week-end but I don't know
for certain. Hope you're still around.

Miss the weekly papers, Men.

28 February 1944

Dear Lang,

Spent last weekend in Washington with my sister, Hazel. Really spent most of the time with a friend that she introduced me to who was 'much on! Quite charming ! ! Congrats on the wonderful way you handled 'our end' of that Town Hall Broadcast. If you keep on you'll be so popular that they might ask you to run for President(end I don't mean as his errab errand boy either)

Read your marvelous column last week (psychiatry in the army) Really Grand. Jim Crow etc. Who gave you the idea?

Yes, Decca took our song "LOVER MAN" and gave us a $150.00 advance(which had to be split three ways!) Maybe I'll be a famous person some day yet! Just Lak Yo' ) Billie Holiday is going to the coast in April - and to make a picture. Sho hope that she does LOVER MAN. That would be the lick. If, by chance, you should hear the song on the radio please let me know as I'd like to know when and if Decca does anything with it.

Might go to New York next week. Don't be surprised if you hear that I've done something drastic as a protest against this damnable Jim Crow. It's really getting me down.

(2)

4D

Guess what - Ram just this minute called me from New York. - said that he couldn't buy me a soda so he thought that he would call me up (I treated him to a soda the last time that I was in New York)

He seems to be a permanent fixture with John Kirby now.

The Band is broadcasting this Wednesday afternoon and I now have three men in the hospital (all trombone players), another was in an accident last evening and a still another is ill and marked 'quarters' - what tough luck, but we'll make out OK though.

Gave a program for the Red Cross last week which was a howling success - but then all our programs for the men in the hospital are well liked.

Guess that's all for this time.

Sincerely yours,

P.S.

host your address I couldn't mail the letter - Get at from Aunt Toy last week-end in N.Y. (stayed at the apt.) The广播 station went quite a success & everyone seems quite pleased.

How long will you be out of town?

Sincerely,
Jimmy

April 22, 1947

Mr. Jimmy Davis
1235 South Arlington Avenue
Los Angeles 6, California

Dear Jimmy:

Duke played your song, "Lover Man" when he was here at the City Auditorium. The other day I heard June Christe singing it on the air. And I read in last week's "Variety" that Lena Horne is using it. I wish that "Blue Valley" could get as good a start, because it seems to me to be just as beautiful a song.

I am enjoying my stay here at Atlanta University and some of my Creative Writing students are pretty good writers. However, the weather has been very rainy indeed here, and when I flew up to New York a couple of weeks ago, it was warmer there than in Atlanta.

Did you get my new book that I sent you? How are you and what is news with you? And what is the news in general in Los Angeles? Drop me a line when you have time.

Have you heard the Benny Goodman and Freddy Martin recordings of my song, "Moon-Faced, Starry-Eyed", from the show? The Columbia Album is due out in a couple of weeks now. With all good wishes to you.

H
W

NOV 6 48

230 00 779A-1 A I 7.94

Macy's

REBALD SQUARE, NEW YORK 1, N.Y.

DEPT. 215

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20 East 127th Street,
New York 35, New York,
August 6, 1948.

Mr. Jimmy Davis,
Villa Pax,
1 Place Lucien Herr,
Paris, France,

Dear Jimmy!

Here is a favor you could do, if you will, and as soon as possible,
in fact, IMMEDIATELY, if you can, sending me the information by air.

My anthology with Arna Bontemps, THE POETRY OF THE NEGRO, went to
the publishers, Doubleday, yesterday, complete except for a few biographies
missing. One is that of Leon Damas, the French Guiana poet who is a Depute
and lives in Paris. (Perhaps you met him at my house when he came through
New York.) I've written him but got no answer. (He stays high most of the
time.) So, would you be so kind as to look him or his publishers up and get
for me at once the following biographical information:

PLACE AND DATE OF BIRTH:

EDUCATION:

BOOK PUBLICATIONS WITH DATES, PLACE, & PUBLISHERS:

PRESENT ADDRESS:

And any other brief pertinent information. Perhaps you can get his home address
from his publishers or one of the literary magazines or papers. The two addresses
I have used without an answer are the ones he gave me:

PUBLISHERS: Leon Damas, c/o Charles Fasquelle, Editeur, 11 rue de Grenelle, Paris 6e.
or: " " , Depute de la Guyane, Assemblee Nationale, Palais Bourbon.

If you fail to find him in person, send him a wire to each address making him to speed biography to me or to you to send me. **BUT PLEASE TRY TO FIND HIM AND GET IT YOURSELF** since time is urgent. He speaks English a little and is a good writer. Let me know within a few days what luck you have—and I will do you a favor sometime......Also what's your news? My radio show "SWING TIME AT THE SAVOY" is still on—NBC national hookup, Wednesdays at 8 P.M. (Count Basie this week coming).

Sincerely,

May 5, 1950

Dear Jimmy,

I certainly enjoyed that Press Club luncheon the other day, and
had meant to write you sooner and let you know. But I have been
B-U-S-Y!!! Man!

Among other things the enclosed items all coming up at once, be-
sides the various activities related to the book including these
items you might wish to use:

A P.E.N. Club party (cocktail party) on May 3 at the Rockefeller
Luncheon Club, 65th floor of RCA Building, for its members who
have recently had new books including myself, Carl Carmer, Fannie
Hurst, and Hiram Haydn, limited to members only and one guest.

A television appearance (my first) on the Quincy How IN THE FIRST
PERSON CBS program, where I was interviewed, on Thursday, May 4.

An appearance before the English Club of Brooklyn College on the
evening of Thursday, April 27th, which drew the largest audience
to the student lounge the club has so far had--some 400 students.

So one's work is NOT finished when a book is written and printed.
Looks like it just begins!

My continued best wishes to you, as ever,

March 22, 1951

Dear Jimmy,

Your note came today and caught me in town after a long Southern tour from New Orleans to Baltimore. Happy to hear from you and to know you got the book O.K. Ask Inez if hers reached her, too.

I went right out and got the hair stuff (the brand of rinse you wanted wasn't available but the pomade was) two big jars and two boxes of rinse, now all packed up to send. But to my CONSTERNATION I find that it costs almost $15.00 to send it by air parcel post! More than I have at the moment, having just paid ALL my bills for the past six months. So tomorrow I'll try air-freight and see if that is any more reasonable. If not, it'll have to come by boat. Sorry, man, but you'll just have to unconcked a little while longer. Although I hear Rose-Meta opened a place in Paris. If so, start a bill there. If not, look primitive—which has its theatrical values, too.

Tell me about the Count, man. You know we Americans like to hear about royalty.

I'm de-lighted at the news of your act and your songs. Hope you get some BIG U. S. recording, too. Write more news—and I'll send you more lay-'em-down. BUT NOT BY AIR. Write in time, next time. This I'll try to get off on wings, but if not, you know why $*******.

Lots of good wishes, comme toujours,

March 23, 1951

Dear Jimmy,

It would have cost $14.68 to send you the two big
jars of hair pomade, etc., by air, so it is coming
by boat.

What I did was get you a small jar and package of
~~minibite~~ rinse, which ought to do you until the larger
package arrives. This has just been mailed by air-
parcel post to you today. And the other has been
sent regular parcel post. Please let me know if you
receive the air package. If you don't let me know,
from here on in I will let your head go nappy! No lie!

Sent me the pictures (conoked) right away quick.

Aunt Toy has not been so well for the past year and
does not seem to be getting much better, up and down,
so drop her a line if you get a chance.

Good luck,

Sincerely,

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January 28, 1953

Mr. Jimmy Davis,
38, rue Montmorency,
Paris 3e, France.

Jimmy,

Where—and how—are you, old man? Seems I wrote
you last, but sure you're still at this address.
Have had various bits of news about you from re-
turning travellers, also from Timme, Jean Roault,
etc. And have been waiting for the arrival of Inez
to really hear ALL—since you will not write your
black self. . . . . . . Drop a line with your current and
present address so I can be sure you get all the
news I am prepared to send upon hearing that you're
still alive. . . . . . Also will send you my newest book,
"Simple Takes A Wife" due out shortly.

Sincerely,

103

February 7, 1953

Mr. Jimmy Davis,
38, rue Montmorand,
Paris (3e), France.

Dear Jimmy,

De-lighted to get both your letters! I'd expected Inez
home by now. Tell her to come on, if she's coming!
(But if 'twas me, I'd STAY right there! No jive!)

Am rushing this off to you tout de suite so you won't
be expecting. I'm about as broke as I ever hope to be:
bank book had $9.04 on it the other day! Not lecturing
this winter much (because of Spring book deadlines I
have to make, having already spent the advances) I have
almost nothing coming in. So, like the rest of the po'
song writers, I'm looking WAY forward to April's ASCAP
check, which will at least be spending change. Other-
wise, you know I'd send show fare, or Stay Comb money,
quand meme. As it is, I owe BBC $40 for transcriptions
of programs using my stuff, and an Argentine publisher
$57 for copies of my POEMS I ordered from there, fine
translations of my first Selected Poems in the world.
First of February (my birthday) brought bills, bills,
bills. (And a few presents, including two big bottles
of Scotch from Detroit's Gotham Hotel, and a Bourbon
from Emerson.

Frances Wills, back from Paris, and others, tell me
that town is awful high priced right now. Why don't
you go to Italy where I hear it's not only cheaper,
but warmer. (Although the papers say the Pope has the
flu--has has half the U.S., too. Aunt Toy's just getting
over it. Also Jobe, who says for you to write him.
Frances Reckling published our gospel song and is having
a gospel party to introduce it next Sunday week. Jobe
has written some very good ones which Josh White J41-

If a windfall comes my way, will see you go!

October 4, 1953

Dear Jimmy,

Estas en España o no? Or are you still in
Paris? The Spanish people are wonderful.
You're bound to love them, Valencia or Madrid
more than Barcelona, I think, though. Let me
know where to send your Christmas card.

And where and how is Inez? Haven't heard from
or tell of her for months. Tell her to write.

Pieere Ribert never got in touch with me. And
I didn't know where to find him. But would
have been delighted to see him. There's nothing
exciting in Harlem to show anyone, any more, all
the bands and music now downtown. But we could
have had a drink at Ray's. (Music is busy in-
tegrating these days---all but the gospel sing-
ers who are still racially shouting their way
into Cadillacs. But even they are latching onto
white managers and beginning to be spoiled by
over-exploitation). They are putting out some
mad recrods with organs and drums and things!
And having Carnegie Hall concerts. And Jobe is
about to publish his fourth gospel song.

The Harpers are still about the same. Lots of
relatives were here this summer, but now departe
ed. So if you were passing through, you could
have the guest room, empty at the moment.

Send me a <u>record</u> and a <u>picture</u>? How's the hair?
Conked down or au naturele? Style here is the
latter at the moment.

Write soon as to where you are? And hope you
fly over for a visit by Spring. (But if it was
me, I expect I'd stay right there.) Anyhow,
sentiments les plus sinceres, etc......

July 24, 1954

Mr. Jimmy Davis,
Rua Sociedade Farmaceutica 17-3E,
Lisbon, Portugal.

Dear Jimmy,

I certainly enjoyed the nice long letter you sent me this week about your journeys in music every-which-a-where from Paris to Scandinavia to Majorca to Portugal. It is wonderful to hear that you've developed as an entertainer, "artist" no less, and are playing and singing your way around the Continent, and that you might shortly be back in Paris. My suggestion would be to go the other way for the winter, Paris being somewhat damp and chilly then. Why not Egypt and Turkey, or maybe North Africa where you could pick up some new tom-tom beats.....Did you ever meet Robbie Campbell who came back from Magnoco wearing a gold ear ring he says a sultan gave him? Seems he was singing at the Boof in Paris for awhile, too. An agent brought him to me a couple of years ago looking for songs. But he's since gone into business with a guy in the Village, and lately opened a new shop featuring "long, thin Italian umbrellas for gentlemen", which I think is fine, as I love to see cullud do everything....Certainly most interesting about your dusk to dawn adventures in Palma. Tell me more when you write next time--although I don't expect to get another note for months, your present letter being really exceptional for a non-writer like you. I thought you had almost forgotten how to write! So was doubly delighted to hear from you, and to know that you had not forgotten your English!

Well, I bought a long-playing Gerry Mulligan record the other day without hearing it first, because I saw "Lover Man" listed among the titles on the cover. Imagine, when I got it home and played it, it wasn't your "Lover Man" at all, but Kurt Weill's from "Lost In The Stars" which I'd forgotten ever was!......I've been getting piles of records lately, some free, as I'm doing a JAZZ book for kids--the first such, and also the first jazz book byx a Negro, it seems--which is curious, since we originated the music. (But don't write about it. Me, I do!) Book will be out in September, so let me know where you'll be in early October and I'll send you a copy.

You've probably read they're building the new Madison Square Garden and some big city project houses on the side of Columbus Circle where Jobe is, already blasting and tearing down, so he has to move within the month now, I believe. At any rate, half the area is already down. Four of the Gospel songs we did together have been taken for recording and publication by a new firm, Herb Reis, who used to be general manager for Frank Loesser. He got a Mitch Miller recording recently on one of my other songs, "Sail! Sail! Sail!" which is also about to be recorded in England.

For the first time since we've been on 127th, the backyard finally achieved a nice green lawn which Mrs. Harper planted, for the fourth year straight. It looks like a garden now and when you come back you can roll on our lawn! Mrs. Harper has not been too well the last couple of years, arthritis, etc., almost as often down as she is up. But up and about this week, Emerson has given up music and is working for the city as a stock clerk. Otherwise, still the same.

Things theatrical for cullud rather quiet now, but three or four shows casting for fall, one to star Embhha Kitt, another Pearl Bailey. Music wise, Oscar Peterson seems to be the most talked about performer, and Eartha the big name singer. Any other Negroes in Portugal right now besides your cullud self? Tell me more news next time you write, and send photo, kindly, please, sir, as you promised. I have something to send you as soon as I get an address where you'll be sure to be when it gets there. So write soon.

February 19, 1957

Dear Mr. Davis:

Langston Hughes has asked me to inform you that his
play, MULATTO, in its entirety, will be broadcast from
Paris on Saturday, March 2, at 8:30 P.M. French Time, on
the Chaine Nationale, under the title, LE MULATRE. The
producer is Eleonor Kramer who recently received the
Italia Award and the leading actors are Charles Vanel,
Georges Aminel, the colored actress, Morena, and Jean
Toulout. Mr. Hughes hopes it may be possible for you to
hear this broadcast.

122

November 8, 1960

M. Jimmy Davis,
33 bis Av. Reille,
Paris 14, FRANCE.

Dear Jimmy:

If my visas and things get fixed up
in time, I expect to fly to Nigeria this
weekend for the inauguration of my friend
and classmate, Azikiwe, as Governor-General
on the 16th. On the way back I hope to stop
in Rome and Paris for a couple of days each
the week of 20th-26th, and would love to
say HELLO to you. So drop me a line and
let me know where you'll be then. Write
right now: c/o Nigerian Airways, P. O.
Box 136, Lagos, Nigeria, airmail.....I'll
tell you all the news when I see you. Or
if you're not in Paris, I'll phone. Send
phone numbers, Paris and/or elsewhere.

Sincerely,

November 28, 1961

Dear Jimmy:

I'm going to Nigeria again,
flying over via Rome on December 13th
for the Lagos Arts Festival---a whole
lot of musicians, dancers, etc., Lionel
Hampton, Katherine Dunham, Nina Simone,
me---for a week.

Where will you be around
December 20th, or during the holidays?
It may be that I can return home via
Europe?

Drop me a line and let me
know RIGHT AWAY.

I've a little off-Broadway
show in rehearsal now, and fifty-million
things to do before leaving for Africa,
so this is just a hasty note. But this
trip I do hope there'll be a chance of
seeing you.

Respondez tout de suite! So
I can write you my plans before I leave.
And do you have a Paris phone number ?
If so, send it.

Sincerely,

January 25, 1962

Dear Jimmy: I got home safely. Nice flight.
Found the folks O. K. and the
weather cold. Miss Paris. Told everyone about
your pleasant apartment and the delicious dinner
at your place....Jobe came by to hear the news.
He'd been home to N. C. for a month's vacation.
Says next summer he hopes to come to Paris.
Last year he went to Mexico. He looks fine.
I'd not seen him since late summer, although
he lives nearby now, has an apartment in Lenox
Terrace, 135th, Lenox to Madison, the big new
housing set-up, which has releived the Harlem
housing difficulties a bit, although the rents
are very high....Look at Jane White in the
paper today.....My BLACK NATIVITY extended its
run another week, but has to close this Sunday
as a new play has a lease on the theatre. The
show is leaping and jumping, with audience
participation to such an extent that sometimes
you can't hear the show for the audience clap-
ping and shouting. Just shows the power of
the old basic beat in Negro music. Lots of
celebrities have been coming to see it and
bringing friends back two or three times. One
white lady got so carried away last week, she
fainted. And the gospel singers got so
carried away Saturday night that the show ran
a half-hour overtime, shouting and singing.
It's fun!.....I'm still trying to get all
my mail read that accumulated while I was
away. And rushing to finish odds and ends on
my NAACP book which has to go to press this
week to meet its Spring publication date. So,
thanks for your hospitality, and best regards
tillx next time,

Sincerely,

February 17, 1962

Dear Jimmy:

You must be out of your mind! I have not seen $750 whole and entire and all at once for I don't know when. And what little money I had I spent on the African trip, besides cabling my publishers for the advance on my next book. The DEFENDER (my only regular source of income) has been on strike since last Spring, and have not paid me since August. I wrote for them on a promise up until the end of the year. But no more columns until they settle for 5 months back fees. So I am down to hardly enough to keep going and pay my typist, at the moment. I certainly wish I could help, as the apartment deal is one I hope you won't have to pass up. Maybe my sweepstake ticket will hit! In which case I'll be back in Paris myself.

Maybe I'll get over that way again in June, anyhow, as it looks very likely that BLACK NATIVITY will be booked for the Spoletto Festival. Minotti saw it 3 times and wants it for Italy. Let's hope.

Guess you've read about Englewood picketting over school segregation, etc., very much in the news these days; and one of the leaders is Barbara Kay, wife of composer, Ulysses, friends of mine. She was also a Freedom Rider and went to jail in Mississippi.

JOBE'S new address: 45 West 132nd S
Apt. 4H, New York 37.

Hastily, but sincerely,

December 20, 1962

M. Jimmy Davis,
33bis Avenue Reille,
Paris, FRANCE.

Jimmy, mon chier:

If you conveniently can, please go to the opening of BLACK NATIVITY at the Champs Elysees on Thursday, January 3rd, and let me know what the audience reaction is. Also kindly watch the Paris papers for reviews, comments, and pictures during the rest of the week and airmail them to me. I'd appreciate this immensely. I have a clipping bureau, but it takes weeks to send clippings from Europe, and members of the company are most undependable in this regard---being non-writing folk singers. Also please get two Champs Elysees Theatre programs and post to me. I trust the $10.00 enclosed will be enough to do these things......

As you've probably read, the show is opening here without benefit of newspaper advertising---all New York dailies being on strike for the past few weeks. Lincoln Centre holds 2,600, so I don't see how they could fill it up, as I think they would have if no strike. My one chance this year to make a little money! As Simple says, "Something is always happening to colored." Oh, well, maybe I'll get my crown in glory!

Happy Holidays to you,

January 15, 1963

Dear Jimmy:

I got back from my lecture trip to
Midwest---University Michigan at Ann Arbor,
Wayne in Detroit, etc., to find all the WONDER
clippings, the two programs, and PARIS PRESSE
correctly delivered in spite of 120 address),
well as your note describing the opening. TH
ENORMOUSLY! Most kind of you to do all this.
I'm glad you got to the premiere, and enjoyed
The show is fun, and the performers real "foli
artists. (They sometimes get to shouting for
real themselves. One night the pianist got to
shouting at the piano and almost broke the key
board up! Another time in London several of
them fained, being seized by the Spirit. The
management threatened to ring down the curtain
if it happened again. But they said, "You can
stop God!" Anyhow, they usually give an excit
show, each time I've seen it, and are a nice b
of people.... The reviews are certainly some
And American writeups are beginning to appear.
WASHINGTON POST had one Sunday---with my pictur
Jean Cocteau at top of page---says "sophisticat
Paris is taken aback" by the show, and that "pe
are humming the melodies in the streets."....F
"droites d'auteurs" the SACD has a New York re-
presentative who wrote Paris for me. She says
since my contract calls for royalties paid here
the producers, they cannot make additional coll
ions. Says they've had same situation with WES
SIDE STORY and other American productions alrea
d first produced in USA. ASCAP also made inquire
for me and report the same. So I guess I'm not
line for additional collections in Paris via the
Societe there. Wish I were, as I'm on a flat f
all of Europe, regardless of run or size of hou
per week the same no matter where---which agents
think best, due to monetary exchange, difficulty
getting box office statements in various countri
etc. In US I get regular royalties. Newspaper s
make it off here---and is HARD on all shows now.

Theatre Guild show is put off till fall on that account---
and with Lawrence Langner dying, too, during the holidays--
just when they finally had Eartha Kitt lined up. Oh, well,
as Simple says, "Something is always happening to cullud!"
......Let me know if you read or hear tell of NATIVITY
extending its Paris run beyond February. If so, I may fly
over in Spring and see it---and you---et Paris......I had
a long letter from Inez from Denmark. She wants to come
home to US again. She must be out of her mind---because
everybody who comes home wants to go right back to Europe
after a month or two. It's still sort of semi-depression
here---movie houses turning into churches or TV studios,
and night clubs folding up regularly, Broadway 35-50% off
this season, fewer shows than ever on the boards, prices
going up, wages not. Cullud getting madder and budder---
this Centennial Year of Emancipation. Anyhow, mes con-
pliments les plus sinceres, and merci-----

January 18, 1963

Dear Jimmy!

Our letters probably crossed. As you now know,
my information about droites d'auteurs on
NATIVITY is the same as what your inquires broug
forth. So I guess that's that! Thanks a lot for
your inquires anyhow; and as I said, for the
clippings and programs... Since Yale, Fisk,
Schomburg, and 3 other collections want to have
ALL my books, programs, etc., please get for me
when you have time, 6 of the big blue NATIVITY
programs with the photos in them (as you sent
me) and post them to me by boat mail--wrapped
and in cardboards, FLAT, not rolled--since
the libraries use them for exhibitions, and do
not like material folded or creased. Enclosed
a bill for programs, and if they cost more let
me know... Also could you order posted to me
directly from Odeon, or some record shop in
Paris, this disc? (I'll send you whatever it
costs, as it can't be found in New York).

"LA MARCHE DES MOUDJAHIDINES"

(Algerian March of the Volunteers)

It was mentioned recently in the New Yorker,
as having been played all over Paris the day of
the Liberation by the Algerians... Let me
know if NATIVITY is extending its run beyond
the original four weeks' booking. And please
send along any new clippings you come across.
... Are you going to Nice for the movie (or
have you been and come back)? ... I may go to
L. A. to see my Uncle Johnny in late February,
to help him get his income tax in--as he usual
ly forgets it, being 86... Cordial regards,

Langston Hughes

#5 bill enclosed

February 6, 1963

Dear Jimmy:

I trust my 2 programs will arrive
in due time, and that you'll be able to
find the Algerian marching song disc for me.
No rush.

Did you ever get your apartment
financed? Or income tax paid? How much
do you still need for the apartment---as
it would be a shame to lose out on that?
I've just gotten my New York Philharmonic
Lincoln Center NATIVITY check---of course,
with lots of debts to pay off, as usual---
(once a sizable sum comes in). But I could
send you a hundred or so if it would be of
any help. Maybe a bit more later. At any
rate, try to hang on to the apartment---
so you'll always have someplace to hang
your hat Over There. Lemme know.

They tell me Alex had to fly home
from Paris---a family tragedy in Birming-
ham---seems like his uncle shot his step-
mother five times, killed her. After Rome
I hear the company returns to Paris in the
Spring. I hope so, as maybe I can get over
and catch them there.

You probably know Elnoris has been
bedridden for quite a time with a stroke.
Haven't seen her, but sent her a book and
card lately. Bad weather and everybody with
bad colds or flu here, including the Happers.
And me. Had to miss Eubie Blake's 80th
birthday party tonight, hoarse, can't talk.
So am drinking hot buttered rum at home.
Wish you were here to be toasted.

Cordially,

May 26, 1963

Jimmy:

Trip got held up a little bit. The old freighter decided not to sail on schedule. Also, the producer of the BLACKS took an option on my new gospel show, thinks he has a theatre available, and if so will put it into rehearsals in a week or so. I'll stick around to see what's doing. If nothing happens, I'll fly over in time to catch BLACK NATIVITY during its return to Paris after its dates in Greece and Spain.

By the way, did you read about MULATTO in Spain? Seems like the producer slapped a critic at the opening. Later in the week the Falange rioted in the theatre. The whole temporada got closed down! No more season, no more MULATTO. Something is always happening to cullud. (Simple quote). Oh, well-- in due time.........

Where is Inez? And when will your movie be on? Thanks for the photo. Emerson looked at it and said, "Why, he is getting fat and prosperous." Which I hadn't noticed.

Have you ever been to Tangiers? Ted Joans, cullud way-out beatnik poet is living there now, just married a Norwegian girl.

Saw Jobe the other day at a Hardlem Hospital Nurses Dinner. He's in charge of a ward now and looks like a Dr.

153

April 28, 1964

Dear Jimmy:

I'm saving stamps, I reckon. BLACK NATIVITY closed on the road owing me $10,000 back royalties and TV fees. (So am suing). My column syndicate got behind $600, so have taken my column back from them, and it is now running only in New York POST which I can handle myself. JERICO-JIM CROW ran in hole while Stella Holt was in Hawaii setting up theatre project for Ford Foundation. But she is now back and almost has deficit wipped out, although it closed Sunday, but is still doing outside church and lodge engagements, so I stand a chance to get back sums due there. And Able Blakey and partner are negociating to bring it to Paris in the fall. So I may get over your way then. Am invited to a writers conference, anyhow, in Europe in September, expenses paid....Over here the white folks are wondering what to do with the Negroes. CORE pretty well tied up the Worlds Fair on opening day---even tried to sit-in on top of the Orange Ball atop the Florida Pavillon.....Mr. Harper had a double hernia operation but is out and doing O. K. Mrs. Harper getting older and crosser by the minute, and her sight no longer very good.....I'm recently back from a program in St. Croix, Virgin Islands, and a few days in Puerto Rico. I had to return to lecture platform, having lost $****** on TAMBOURINES which was a $125,000 flop on Broadway, due to management fights. Cast behaved beautifully, only white folks fighting like cats and dogs. Last week of run, show had no adds, no management. And we missed the Ed Sullivan show on weekend the President died. So this is my bad-luck-in theatre season. LIFE took a big spread on

JERICO, but held it up to combine with the
James Baldwin BLUES FOR MISTER CHARLIE---
which postponed its opening till this week.
Meanwhile JERICO closes, so our photos may
never appear!!!...Naturally, I am OFF the
theatre for all time! Back to poetry!

Talked to Jobe on phone last night. He's
reducing---and taking time off to do it.

My secretary says he has got to go to
NYU where he's getting his MA in TV this
spring, so I'll end this epistle and let him
mail it off. Answer to your note.

You may be gone, but not forgotten!

Drink Vin Postillon!

Sincerely,

Dear Jimmy:

If I could, I would. But I
am paying off a $2000.00 bank loan, have
had to buy suits for two teenagers since
I've been back, my nephew and my godson
whom I'm helping to grow up, plus a moun-
tain of bills I found on my return. And
so far I've only gotten about a third of
the NATIVITY money---and that's gone with
wind by now. The New York and Chicago
lawyers' fees (which they took out) came
to $3,400. But at least they collected
something, and the remainder is promised
in monthly payments. So maybe in due time!
But I doubt it! Due time has been such a
long time now. I'm resigned to poverty.
Wish I could get a hit song.

More power to you,

Sincerely,

Flu still half hanging on.........

139

January 14, 1965

Mon cher Jimmy:

Things are looking up a bit now. The
BLACK NATIVITY people have begun to pay
off their debt (in installments) and both
companies are still running abroad. So let
me know how things stand with your apart-
ment. And what do you need to hold on to
it? Perhaps I can help some......I cabled
the Italian Film Festival folks I couldn't
come. So far behind on deadlines here. But
I surely hated to miss that free trip this
month. However, another one is coming up
for Spring, so I'll probably be seeing you
then....Jobe and Zell Ingram both say they
are vacationing in Europe this summer.....I
am seeing Nina Simone this weekend, so will
take her your recrod.....It is C-O-L-D here,
10 degrees tonight!.....Write soon.

January 20, 1965

Dear Jimmy:

If you didn't say "by American
Express" I could have sent you a bank
draft today from my bank around the
corner. But the American Express is
way downtown, so I have to wait until
I get down there. So hold the fort a
few days longer.....Meanwhile, take
the enclosed and go see NATIVITY and
get me a couple of programs and a sou-
venir booklet, please, and post to me.
I didn't know the show was there until
day before your note came. It closes
its European tour in Paris, I hear.
If you see any clips on it, send me,
too. And I'll be writing again soon.
Best ever,

Sincerely,

January 29, 1965

Mon cher Jimmy:

You'd have had this by now were it
not that just about the time I got around
to going downtown to the American Express,
the biggest blizzard ever came up, snow up
over the top of cars, buses and cabs stop-
ped running, and nobody could get anywhere
for two days. Meanwhile, I caught another
cold (like the President's) and so decided
I'd just better go around the corner to my
bank and send you a draft on Paris---which
I'm sure you can cash as well as an Express
check. Anyhow, I hope this will tide you
over for awhile, and safeguard your rights
on your apartment.....BLACK NATIVITY has
slipped behind again on payments, and now
that the European company is about to close,
I'll probably have to exert pressures to get
monies due there. Did you get my note with
a greenback enclosed to go see it in Paris?
Did you get a chance to do so? How did this
company stack up with the previous one?

Drop me a line letting me know if you
receive this safely. And get the current
ebony which has a photo in it of Buttercup
Powell singing your LOVER MAN.

Encore une fois, mes meilleurs voeux
pour une Bonne Année,

February 24, 1965

Dear Jimmy, mon cher:

It's a rather tense week in Harlem, what with bomb threats etc. going around as Malcolm X lies in state.

Anyhow, I was glad to have your note, and trust you're saved by the bell and not homeless and houseless.

I'm hoping my BLACK NATIVITY programs will be along soon. Boats take so long. Negro press here carried a Wiggins release from Paris about a glorious closing with ushers and firemen taking part in the hand-clapping the last night at the Champs Elysees. The Australian company is going well, too, I hear. And the Alvin Ailey Dancers are there, as well.

My Nigerian godson, Sunday, got sent to the Congo, I guess as part of the UN task force, so I'm worried about him. My JERICO lead here (that I discovered) Gilbert Price is a BIG hit in out-of-town tryouts

in THE ROAR OF THE GREASE PAINT headed for
Broadway in April. He's only 21, a very
sweet kid, and looks like he'll be a star.
Claudia McNeil became a star, too, after I
found her working in a gift shop. So
Broadway ought to make me a talent scout!
N'est-pas?

No word from Nina on your song. But
my former secretary's SEA LION WOMAN she is
featuring live on every concert, and it is on
her latest album. (I wish she'd do one of
yours---or mine!) Her version of Kurt Weill's
PIRATE JENNY is absolutely great, but too
"Civil Rights"---as she paraphrased it---for
the juke boxes. In fact, it's hair raising,
when all the black "pirates" take over a
Southern town.

I'll probably be seeing you in May.

Avec mes compliments, etc......

Langston Hughes, moi-moi meme

Easter Sunday, 1965

Dear Jimmy:

I ran into this charming lady who says she met me with you years ago. She recognized me in front of Carnegie Hall (where Marian Anderson is giving her farewell today) and says she'd like to have news of you. So I'd better send this little sticker she gave me on to you before I lost it:

Mrs. Lois E. Bourne
83 Pinecrest Parkway
Hastings-on-Hudson
New York 10706

I'm taking off for a Kansas-Missouri lecture tour in a few days. In mid-May I'll be in France with Paule Marshall and William Melvin Kelley (good young cullud writers) for student seminars outside Paris, then to London, Copenhagen, and Germany, so probably won't see you until I get back to Paris in June, but will phone on my way through.....Jobe is coming over about June 4th, he says for three weeks. And also in June, Zell Ingram, whom you may remember as painter and old friend of mine. I had sort of hoped to stay all summer, but now will have to come back to write a Harry Belefonte show he wants by Labor Day. (Today my TV show in color for Odetta filmed in California on the sea near Carmel was screened). Anyway, I'll have a couple of weeks in Paris before I have to come back to Harlem, so will be seeing you.

Income taxes jumped up so much I could only pay half of mine this April, so have to pay off the rest in instalments all year. With both NATIVITY companies closed, there's nothing regularly coming in now. BROKE-as usual! Oh, well, I can eat with the students in France...An African writer (very good one in Cape Town) has a Fellowship to Columbia, but no dough to get here with. Just wrote wanting to borrow $750.00. Another one here needs $50 for books this Spring term. And a writer just borrowed $80 to keep his light and gas from being cut off in the middle of a novel.

I hope everybody in France is not broke,
too. Lemme flee!

We had a fire in our house, and my favorite roomer got aphixated—smoking in bed. I'll tell you about it when I see you.

Aunt Toy's grandniece is about to marry my recent secretary in June.

Guess you read where Nancy Cunard died in Paris... Bricktop was here last month. Gave up her place in Rome... My PRODIGAL SON (another gospel show) is in rehearsal off-Broadway at the Mews. I've not been to a rehearsal (no time) but here it's sounding good. Opens in early May just before I leave, that is previews begin. Opening date not set yet, due to being held up by pending newspaper strike—something always happening to cullud!

Oh, well—

New York City,
October 9, 1965

Dear Jimmy;

My PRODIGAL SON show departed these shores last night for Glasgow, Scotland. After a brief tour of the British provinces the show comes to London, then so I am told, Paris in late December. If you see anything about it in the French press beforehand, please send me the clips.

I'm back from Hollywood, and my Belafonte TV script is finished, to be video taped in December. Harry, at the moment, is in Africa

Karamu Theatre is celebrating the 50th Anniversary in November, so I'm invited out there. Then probably on to San Francisco for a performance of a commissioned cantata of mine at the Opera with, so they say now, Jennie Tourel, and a star baritone whose name I can't recall at the moment, in it. Music by David Amram, a serious composer who also plays jazz at Village night spots---in other words, a hip long hair.

Jobe got mugged on Lenox Avenue--- but not hurt. A few days later the guy, one of them, turns up in Harlem Hospital shot by an intended victim who happened to have a gun. Jobe recognized him. Now both the culprits are caught. At least 4 folks I know have been robbed or mugged in the last two weeks. N. Y. is getting BA. My advice, STAY in Paris...Best ever,

170

New York, Harlem, U. S. A. Oct. 22, 1965

Jimmy, mon cher:

Talk about being broke! You ought to see the BIG bills
via American Express I've been getting from Europe lately---paying for
last summer! I've been down to just about pay-roll money for staff
lately. I've got three folks working, typing anthologies and stuff.
.....Did I tell you Jobe got mugged, but not hurt---and one of the
muggers turned up in Harlem Hospital a few days later, shot by an 83
year old man he tried to rob!....Lester Walton died....Robeson ill again...
Everybody here's got flu or bad colds, including me....MY PRODIGAL SON
as you see, looks like a hit in England. Slated for the Champs Elysees
in December. You must see it. Better in some ways than NATIVITY.....I
sort of wish I could get over to catch it in Paris. This time some of
the songs in it are mine---with Jobe and others---so the Society can
collect on them....Mrs. Harper not well a-tall, and Emerson walking on
a cane. Everybody is getting right ageable!.......Best ever,

Sincerely,

December 11, 1965

Dear Jimmy!

Here's hoping things are looking up a bit for you. If I could sing and play and song-write like you, man!....Anyhow, I just got paid for my Belafonte TV script (and the show was filmed in color this week---gorgeous---to be shown in February with Sammy Davis, Poitier, Diahann Carroll, Joe Williams, Nipsey Russell) so I'm signing debt paying checks today, and sending you $50 bucks besides by Postal Money Order which the PO sends direct to your address---I hope by AIR. (It didn't occur to me to stipulate that when I sent my Puerto Rican errand boy to get the Money Order since I missed the banking hours).....In any case, you'll get it soon, and let me know. Meanwhile, right now please phone the Champs Elysees Theatre (unless you can tell from the papers) and let me know in return enclosed envelope if my PRODIGAL SON is opening definitely at that theatre on December 21---or when---as I want to send a Christmas cable to the cast there. Also go see it and get me a program, and clip all reviews for me in papers on succeeding days and air mail them to me, as Vinnette Carroll and cast folks never write. They are in Amsterdam this week, I hear---and so far have been getting wonderful writeups, Marion Williams especially. If the show runs in Paris, I may fly over for a week or so, also to read proofs on my two books coming out there---so might be seeing you around New Years. So drop me a line NOW about opening.....The AMEN CORNER folks just got back.....Last Sunday Jobe cooked a possum and invited me to dinner (Coon, rather, somebody sent him from down South). He said for you to write him and let him know if you still want the brass lamp (or something) he said he was going to send you the money to buy---but hadn't heard from you. I had not seen him myself since Paris. He's as fat and fine as ever. Got mugged but not hurt, and didn't lose much money, but says he is going to move back downtown---Harlem too dangerous for him!....Hope you get the $ within a few days. The kid brought me the receipt, when I thought he'd bring the order---which PO says it mails instead---as I in the order---which PO says it mails instead.

stayed to get the PO's mail in

December 23, 1965

Dear Jimmy:

So sorry about that Postal Money Order
not arriving, but I have the receipt and we
will trace it down when I get to Paris on
the 31st, but I regret your not being able to
see my PRODIGAL. If you are not otherwise en-
gaged, how about seeing it with me on New Year's
Eve and afterwards going to Haynes or the
Living Room or somewhere for supper, and ring-
ing out the old, ring in the new together?
I'm flying over to read proofs on my Seghers
book and a few other little business matters--
which will give me a chance to see the show,
too....I'd also like to catch the LeRoy Jones
plays while I am there.

I've just cabled you $25 bucks which I trust
will reach you with more alacrity than the P. O.
Order did. They assure me it was sent by Air
but say the holiday processing might have delayed
it. Anyhow, I'll be phoning you about a week
from today, so hold everything until then.
Aunt Toy is not a bit well, so I won't come over
until after Christmas. If you wish to drop me a
line as to how your New Years weekend shapes up,
do so RIGHT AWAY and I should get it before I
leave on Wednesday or Thursday. I've got so
much to do, don't know which day yet I can
manage to get off. Anyhow, if you're free the
weekend, let's do the rounds.

Best wishes until I see you,

January 22, 1966

Dear Jimmy:

Your record arrived today, and has
been posted to Miss Horne with a little
note......The Post Office says the Money
Order should be there by now. If not, one
has to wait 60 days (until February 10) to
apply for a refund, in case they haven't
traced it by then. So let me know if it
comes meanwhile. They still claim the de-
lay might have been due to the holidays!!!
(I never heard of such).....Mrs. Harper is
in bed this week with arthritis pains. No
dinner at home. Franks Restaurant (maybe I
told you) is Negro owned now, but keeps the
same largely white staff, and is very popular,
always crowded with properous-looking cullud
folks at dinner, white merchants at luncheon.
......We're going to try a London suit against
the PRODIGAL producer---but I haven't much
hope, myself. Most of the cast (except Marion
Williams) came back this week......Bouhaits

March 21, 1966

178

Jimmy :

Thanks for letting me know the Money
Order reached you at last. I'd just sent
you another $50.00 (bank draft) which I
judge you should have received by now, too,
perhaps the same day the other came! Let
me know tout de suite, as I am off to Dakar
next (this coming) Monday. I'll see you in
Paris in June, I hope.

Best ever,