Nixon White House Tapes ›Tape 467 › Conversation 467-035

Nixon & Ellington on Royal Swedish Academy of Music

Wednesday, March 17, 1971 · 3:43 PM–3:44 PM ET · Oval Office ·1 min

ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President); Ellington, Edna (Thompson)Conversation467-035 onTape 467 (tape position 02:13:56–02:15:40)StartWednesday, March 17, 1971 at 3:43 PMEndWednesday, March 17, 1971 at 3:44 PMRecording deviceOval OfficeSourceNixon Library record for 467-035 ↗

AI Summary

President Nixon contacted Edna Ellington to express his formal congratulations regarding Duke Ellington’s recent election to the Royal Swedish Academy of Music. The President noted the historical significance of the honor, acknowledging it as a rare achievement for a popular musician. During the brief exchange, Nixon reflected fondly on the Duke's prior performance at the White House and requested that his sentiments be conveyed to him.

Duke Ellington
Royal Swedish Academy of Music
White House cultural events
Presidential commendations

Audio

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Transcript (AI-generated)

This transcript was generated automatically by AI (WhisperX) and has not been reviewed for accuracy. Names and numbers are often wrong; speakers are not identified. Do not cite it as authoritative — verify against the audio and the finding aid.

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Oh, let's see.

Who does he have on?

See who it is.

I'm not sure.

I just called to congratulate the Duke on his being received a membership in the Royal Swedish Academy of Music.

Isn't that a great thing?

I understand it's the first time a popular musician has ever been honored by the Academy.

There are only 50 of them, so we're glad it's one of ours.

I will always remember that evening in the White House, and I just want to let you know that when I saw this in my briefing file, I said, well, I've got to give him a call.

I just want to wish him the best.

That's all right.

You get the message.

You'll get it better than he will.

Thank you.

Bye.

NARA Description

On March 17, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and Edna (Thompson) Ellington met in the Oval Office of the White House from 3:43 pm to 3:44 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 467-035 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid

Conversation No. 467-35

Date: March 17, 1971
Time: 3:43 pm - 3:44 pm
Location: Oval Office

The President talked with Edna (Thompson) Ellington

     Edward K. (“Duke”) Ellington’s election to the Royal Swedish Academy of Music
         -President’s congratulations

     E. K. Ellington’s White House appearance

     President’s congratulations

Also recorded on March 17, 1971

467-031 3:36 PM · 7 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator met in the Oval Office of the White House at 3:36 pm.
467-032 3:36 PM · 6 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 3:36 pm and 3:43 pm.
467-033 3:36 PM · 5 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 3:36 pm and 3:43 pm.
467-034 3:36 PM · 22 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 3:36 pm and 3:43 pm.
467-036 3:44 PM · 27 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Alexander P. Butterfield met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 3:44 pm and 3:48 pm.
467-037 3:44 PM · 7 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 3:44 pm and 3:48 pm.
467-038 3:44 PM · 4 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 3:44 pm and 3:48 pm.
467-039 3:48 PM · 54 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and LaMar Baker met in the Oval Office of the White House from 3:48 pm to 3:49 pm.

All 31 conversations from March 17, 1971 →

Cite this conversation

Conversation 467-035, March 17, 1971. White House Tapes, Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives. Audio and AI transcript via Easy Nixon, https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/467-035 (accessed September 18, 2026).