Nice story about Duke Ellington and Fletcher Henderson, conductor of another big band and greatest competitor to the duke:

On evening Duke Ellington found that he had by accident accepted two engagements in two cities, distance some hundred miles. Fletcher Henderson saved the day: Duke Ellington played with Henderson's orchestra, Fletcher Henderson conducted Duke Ellington's orchestra, so both dance halls were satisfied.

Afterwards everyone said Duke Ellington's orchestra had been better than ever this evening...

another nice little story is about dizzy gillespie. He started as a jazz drummer, but decided to change the instrument. The reason: everytime the gig was over and he had stowed away the drum set, the other band members had allready engaged with the beauties and he stayed alone that night.