Search Results

Creator:

Fitzgerald, Ella, 1917-1996  Search this

Producer:

Decca (recording company).  Search this

Verve Records (Firm)  Search this

Granz, Norman  Search this

Performer:

Jazz at the Philharmonic (Musical group)  Search this

Musician:

Betts, Keter, 1928-  Search this

Ellington, Duke, 1899-1974  Search this

Gillespie, Dizzy, 1917-1993  Search this

Pass, Joe, 1929-1994  Search this

Peterson, Oscar, 1925-  Search this

Names:

Goodman, Benny (Benjamin David), 1909-1986  Search this

Arranger:

Riddle, Nelson  Search this

Extent:

50 Cubic feet (92 boxes)

Type:

Collection descriptions

Archival materials

Awards

Videocassettes

Audiotapes

Programs

Sound recordings

Manuscripts

Phonograph records

Photographs

Posters

16mm motion picture film

Clippings

Contracts

Greeting cards

Date:

circa 1935-1996

Summary:

Ella Fitzgerald, often called the "First Lady of Song," was one of the 20th century's most important musical performers. The collection reflects her career and personal life through photographs, audio recordings, and manuscript materials.

Scope and Contents:

The Ella Fitzgerald Papers document the performing and personal life of the "First Lady of Song." The collection contains music manuscripts, sheet music, photographs, scripts, correspondence, clippings, business records, sound recordings and video. The bulk of the materials reflect Fitzgerald's career as a singer and performer. The collection comprises materials found in Ella Fitzgerald's home at the time of her death.

Arrangement:

The collection is organized into 10 series.

Series 1: Music Manuscripts and Sheet Music, 1919-1973

Suberies 1.1: Television Shows

Series 2: Photographs, 1939-1990

Subseries 2.1: Ella Fitzgerald Performing Alone

Subseries 2.2: Ella Fitzgerald Performing With Others

Subseries 2.3: Publicity

Subseries 2.4: Ella Fitzgerald With Family, Colleagues, and Friends

Subseries 2.5: Ella Fitzgerald Candid Photographs

Subseries 2.6: Performing Venues

Subseries 2.7: Photographs From Friends and Fans

Series 3: Scripts, 1957-1981

Series 4: Correspondence, circa 1960-1996

Series 5: Business Records, 1954-1990

Series 6: Honorary Degrees and Awards, 1960-1996

Series 7: Concert Programs and Announcements, 1957-1992, undated

Series 8: Clippings, 1949-1997

Subseries 8.1: Magazine Articles, 1949-1997

Subseries 8.2: Newspapers, circa 19650-circa 1990

Series 9: Emphemera, 1950-1996

Subseries 9.1: Album Jackets

Subseries 9.2: Miscellaneous

Series 10: Audiovisual, 1939-1995

Subseries 10.1: Sound Discs: Test Pressings, Transcription Discs, and Performer Copies, 1939-1979

Subseries 10.2: Commercial Sound Recordings, 1956-1961

Subseries 10.3: Demonstration Sound Discs: Other Artists

Subseries 10.4: Sound Tapes, 1938-1996

Subseries 10.5: Videotapes, 1967-1999

Subseries 10.6: Reference Tape Cassettes (for 1/4" open reel originals)

Biographical / Historical:

Born in Newport News, Virginia on April 25th, 1918, Ella Fitzgerald was sent to an orphanage in Yonkers, New York at the age of six. In 1934, she was discovered as a singer in New York's famed Apollo Theater Amateur Contest. This led to a stint with drummer Chick Webb's Band, with whom she recorded her first big hit, "A -tisket A-tasket" in 1938.

After Webb died in 1939, Fitzgerald took over leadership of the band for three years, during which time they were featured on a live radio series. She then embarked upon a solo career, which included recording for Decca Records, and in 1946, she began a pivotal association with producer Norman Granz's Jazz at the Philharmonic series, which brought her a large international following.

In 1956, Fitzgerald left Decca Records to join Granz's newly formed Verve label. Among her notable Verve recordings were a series of "songbooks" featuring the work of major American composers such as Cole Porter, George Gershwin, and Harold Arlen as well as classic collaborations with Count Basie and Duke Ellington. Fitzgerald's toured and performed extensively and her immense popularity also led to appearances on television, in movies, and in commercials and magazine ads.

Despite increasing health problems, Fitzgerald continued to tour, perform and record into her seventies with musicians such as guitarist Joe Pass, arranger-producer Quincy Jones, and pianist Oscar Peterson. Throughout her life, Fitzgerald was active in charitable work with particular emphasis on the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation and the Ella Fitzgerald and Harriette E. Shields Child Care Centers.

Ella Fitzgerald was admired and honored world-wide. In addition to receiving more than a dozen Grammy awards, she was awarded numerous honorary degrees and many states and cities had commemorative Ella Fitzgerald days. Fitzgerald was a Kennedy Center honoree in 1979 and Harvard University's Hasty Pudding Club named her "Woman of the Year" in 1982.

The "First Lady of Song" died on June 17, 1996, of complications from diabetes.

Related Materials:

Materials at the Archives Center

Benny Carter Collection, 1928-2000 (AC0757)

Charismic Productions Records of Dizzy Gillespie, 1940s-1993 (AC0979)

Smithsonian Jazz Oral History Program Collection, 1992-2012 (AC0808)

Milt Gabler Papers, 1927-2001 (AC0849)

Tad Hershorn Collection, 1956-1991 (AC0680)

Ernie Smith Jazz Film Collection, circa 1910- circa 1970 (AC0491)

Separated Materials:

"The National Museum of American History, Division of Culture and the Arts (now Division of Cultural and Community Life) holds Ella Fitzgerald artifacts including costumes and clothing.

"

Provenance:

The collection was donated by the Fitzgerald 1989 Trust, Richard Rosman, trustee on April 14, 1997. The Ella Fitzgeral Charitable Foundation is the successor to the Fitzgerald 1989 Trust.

Restrictions:

Collection is open for research. Only reference copies of audiovisual materials can be used.

Rights:

The Archives Center can provide reproductions of some materials for research and educational use. Copyright and right to publicity restrictions apply and limit reproduction for other purposes. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.

Topic:

Jazz  Search this

Genre/Form:

Awards

Videocassettes

Audiotapes

Programs -- 1930-2000

Sound recordings

Sound recordings -- 1930-1990

Manuscripts -- Music -- 20th century

Phonograph records

Photographs -- 20th century

Posters -- 20th century

16mm motion picture film

Clippings -- 20th century

Contracts

Greeting cards

Citation:

Ella Fitzgerald Papers, Archives Center, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution.

Identifier:

NMAH.AC.0584

See more items in:

Ella Fitzgerald Papers

Archival Repository:

Archives Center, National Museum of American History

GUID:

https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep8b30d86b3-2935-49c8-b13c-faf206402d9c

EDAN-URL:

ead_collection:sova-nmah-ac-0584

Collector:

Fitzgerald, Ella, 1917-1996  Search this

Names:

Granz, Norman  Search this

Collection Creator:

Fitzgerald, Ella, 1917-1996  Search this

Extent:

1 Item (unmounted, 10-7/8 x 13-3/4")

Culture:

African Americans  Search this

Type:

Archival materials

Photographs

Scope and Contents:

The "ghost" or double image probably occurred because this photograph was taken through a glass window in the recording studio. Photographer unidentified. No marks on verso of print.

Local Numbers:

AC0584-0000052.tif (AC Scan No.)

Exhibitions Note:

Included in Archives Center Jazz Appreciation Month display, April 1-May 31, 2010, "Jazz at the Philharmonic--Bringing Jazz to the World," curated by Wendy Shay.

Restrictions:

Unrestricted research access on site by appointment. Gloves required with unprotected photographs.

Collection Rights:

The Archives Center can provide reproductions of some materials for research and educational use. Copyright and right to publicity restrictions apply and limit reproduction for other purposes. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.

Topic:

Microphones  Search this

Recording studios  Search this

African American singers -- 1950-1960  Search this

African American musicians  Search this

Genre/Form:

Photographs -- Black-and-white photoprints -- Silver gelatin -- 1960-1970

Collection Citation:

Ella Fitzgerald Papers, Archives Center, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution.

See more items in:

Ella Fitzgerald Papers

Ella Fitzgerald Papers / Series 2: Photographs / 2.4: Ella Fitzgerald with Family, Colleagues, and Friends / With Norman Granz in recording studio

Archival Repository:

Archives Center, National Museum of American History

GUID:

https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep8a131e262-c4bf-4edb-8c88-4ca274c92df2

EDAN-URL:

ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-0584-ref2796

Collector:

Fitzgerald, Ella, 1917-1996  Search this

Producer:

Granz, Norman  Search this

Collection Creator:

Fitzgerald, Ella, 1917-1996  Search this

Extent:

1 Item (unmounted, 12" x 9")

Container:

Box 54

Type:

Archival materials

Programs

Date:

1955

Scope and Contents:

Cover printed in blue, white, and black.

Local Numbers:

AC0584-0000056.tif (AC Scan No.: cover)

Exhibitions Note:

Included in Archives Center Jazz Appreciation Month display, April 1-May 31, 2010, "Jazz at the Philharmonic-Bringing Jazz to the World," curated by Wendy Shay.

Collection Restrictions:

Collection is open for research. Only reference copies of audiovisual materials can be used.

Collection Rights:

The Archives Center can provide reproductions of some materials for research and educational use. Copyright and right to publicity restrictions apply and limit reproduction for other purposes. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.

Topic:

Jazz musicians  Search this

African American singers -- 1950-1960  Search this

African American musicians  Search this

Genre/Form:

Programs -- Concerts

Collection Citation:

Ella Fitzgerald Papers, Archives Center, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution.

See more items in:

Ella Fitzgerald Papers

Ella Fitzgerald Papers / Series 7: Concert Programs and Announcements / Jazz at the Philharmonic

Archival Repository:

Archives Center, National Museum of American History

GUID:

https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep885144a5c-c5d5-4dac-90f0-0d7d5f29aaf4

EDAN-URL:

ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-0584-ref2800

Artist:

Pablo Picasso, Spanish, b. Málaga, 1881–1973  Search this

Medium:

Aquatint and drypoint on paper

Dimensions:

SHEET: 13 7/8 X 15 IN. (35.3 X 38.0 CM.) PLATE: 7 5/8 X 9 3/8 IN. (19.5 X 23.8 CM.)

Type:

Print

Date:

1963

Credit Line:

Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, Gift of Norman Granz through the Joseph H. Hirshhorn Foundation, 1974

Accession Number:

74.116

See more items in:

Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden Collection

School:

Spanish Modernism

Data Source:

Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden

GUID:

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/py2121fe088-8cfc-4095-9b03-116d180e4437

EDAN-URL:

edanmdm:hmsg_74.116

Artist:

Pablo Picasso, Spanish, b. Málaga, 1881–1973  Search this

Medium:

Aquatint, drypoint and etching on paper

Dimensions:

sheet: 15 x 19 1/8 in. (38.1 x 48.6 cm) image: 9 1/4 x 13 in. (23.5 x 33 cm)

Type:

Print

Date:

(1964)

Credit Line:

Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, Gift of Norman Granz through the Joseph H. Hirshhorn Foundation, 1974

Accession Number:

74.122

See more items in:

Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden Collection

School:

Spanish Modernism

Data Source:

Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden

GUID:

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/py2712979b9-c65f-4ae3-8e83-210bfbfee6c0

EDAN-URL:

edanmdm:hmsg_74.122

Artist:

Pablo Picasso, Spanish, b. Málaga, 1881–1973  Search this

Medium:

Aquatint

Dimensions:

SHEET: 16 1/2 X 12 1/2 IN. (56.0 X 40.7 CM.) PLATE: 16 1/4 X 12 3/8 IN. (411.3 X 31.5 CM.)

Type:

Print

Date:

September 8, 1964

Credit Line:

Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, Gift of Norman Granz through the Joseph H. Hirshhorn Foundation, 1974

Accession Number:

74.129

See more items in:

Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden Collection

School:

Spanish Modernism

Data Source:

Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden

GUID:

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/py28c33656a-925b-4f5d-a0ec-87d607483199

EDAN-URL:

edanmdm:hmsg_74.129

Artist:

Pablo Picasso, Spanish, b. Málaga, 1881–1973  Search this

Medium:

Aquatint and drypoint on paper

Dimensions:

SHEET: 13 X 17 5/8 IN. (33.0 X 44.8 CM.) IMAGE: 8 5/8 X 12 1/2 IN. (22.0 X 31.8 CM.)

Type:

Print

Date:

March 12, 1965

Credit Line:

Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, Gift of Norman Granz through the Joseph H. Hirshhorn Foundation, 1974

Accession Number:

74.135

See more items in:

Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden Collection

School:

Spanish Modernism

Data Source:

Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden

GUID:

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/py2ada2f205-f2c3-4a3c-b5d0-c71b5c4ed57c

EDAN-URL:

edanmdm:hmsg_74.135

Artist:

Pablo Picasso, Spanish, b. Málaga, 1881–1973  Search this

Medium:

Aquatint and drypoint on paper

Dimensions:

SHEET: 13 X 17 7/8 IN. (33.0 X 45.5 CM.) PLATE: 8 3/4 X 12 5/8 IN. (22.2 X 32.0 CM.)

Type:

Print

Date:

March 12, 1965

Credit Line:

Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, Gift of Norman Granz through the Joseph H. Hirshhorn Foundation, 1974

Accession Number:

74.136

See more items in:

Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden Collection

School:

Spanish Modernism

Data Source:

Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden

GUID:

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/py2785d3668-3e78-4b52-af1c-f33acf3385c3

EDAN-URL:

edanmdm:hmsg_74.136

Artist:

Pablo Picasso, Spanish, b. Málaga, 1881–1973  Search this

Medium:

Aquatint on paper

Dimensions:

SHEET: 17 7/8 X 22 1/2 IN. (45.4 X 51.1 CM.) IMAGE: 12 7/16 X 16 7/16 IN. (31.6 X 41.6 CM.)

Type:

Print

Date:

December 16, 1966

Credit Line:

Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, Gift of Norman Granz through the Joseph H. Hirshhorn Foundation, 1974

Accession Number:

74.138

See more items in:

Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden Collection

School:

Spanish Modernism

Data Source:

Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden

GUID:

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/py291cbbca2-2ae1-4c66-ab27-93137ca6fa9f

EDAN-URL:

edanmdm:hmsg_74.138

Artist:

Pablo Picasso, Spanish, b. Málaga, 1881–1973  Search this

Medium:

Etching and aquatint on paper

Dimensions:

SHEET: 16 1/2 X 19 3/4 IN. (41.8 X 50.2 CM.) PLATE: 10 1/2 X 14 3/4 IN. (26.8 X 37.4 CM.)

Type:

Print

Date:

October 25, 1966

Credit Line:

Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, Gift of Norman Granz through the Joseph H. Hirshhorn Foundation, 1974

Accession Number:

74.152

See more items in:

Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden Collection

School:

Spanish Modernism

Data Source:

Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden

GUID:

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/py2541149a4-55c9-45cb-b5b6-86ff73b0681a

EDAN-URL:

edanmdm:hmsg_74.152

Artist:

Pablo Picasso, Spanish, b. Málaga, 1881–1973  Search this

Medium:

Etching and aquatint on paper

Dimensions:

SHEET: 16 3/8 X 19 3/4 IN. (41.6 X 50.1 CM.) PLATE: 10 9/16 X 14 3/4 IN. (26.9 X 37.5 CM.)

Type:

Print

Date:

October 26, 1966

Credit Line:

Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, Gift of Norman Granz through the Joseph H. Hirshhorn Foundation, 1974

Accession Number:

74.154

See more items in:

Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden Collection

School:

Spanish Modernism

Data Source:

Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden

GUID:

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/py22928738e-4219-4822-8a78-a28838e371dc

EDAN-URL:

edanmdm:hmsg_74.154

Artist:

Pablo Picasso, Spanish, b. Málaga, 1881–1973  Search this

Medium:

Aquatint on paper

Dimensions:

SHEET: 17 13/16 X 24 5/16 IN. (45.2 X 61.8 CM.) PLATE: 12 1/2 X 18 3/8 IN. (31.7 X 46.7 CM.)

Type:

Print

Date:

1966

Credit Line:

Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, Gift of Norman Granz through the Joseph H. Hirshhorn Foundation, 1974

Accession Number:

74.159

See more items in:

Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden Collection

School:

Spanish Modernism

Data Source:

Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden

GUID:

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/py258618e92-62c4-4f43-875a-b4c39a62cfe0

EDAN-URL:

edanmdm:hmsg_74.159

Creator:

Hershorn, Tad  Search this

Names:

Granz, Norman  Search this

Extent:

1 Cubic foot (1 box)

Type:

Collection descriptions

Archival materials

Clippings

Concert programs

Programs

Black-and-white photographic prints

Typescripts

Date:

1956-1991.

Scope and Contents note:

Materials relating to jazz, including photographs of jazz performers; printed material, including clippings about the jazz promoter Norman Granz, and nine concert programs; and a typescript history of jazz at the Philharmonic.

Arrangement:

Divided into 5 series.

Provenance:

Collection donated by Tad Hershorn. ,Rutgers Institute of Jazz Studies, Dana Library.

Restrictions:

Collection is open for research.

Rights:

Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.

Topic:

Jazz musicians -- 1950-2000 -- United States  Search this

Musicians -- 1950-2000  Search this

Jazz -- 1950-2000  Search this

Genre/Form:

Clippings -- 1950-2000

Concert programs

Programs -- Concerts

Black-and-white photographic prints -- Silver gelatin -- 1950-2000

Typescripts

Citation:

Tad Hershorn Collection, 1956-1991, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.

Identifier:

NMAH.AC.0680

Archival Repository:

Archives Center, National Museum of American History

GUID:

https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep88f540cc6-903f-4a89-94f7-a9bf347a962d

EDAN-URL:

ead_collection:sova-nmah-ac-0680

Performer:

Astaire, Fred  Search this

Producer:

Granz, Norman, 1918-2001  Search this

Collection Creator:

Asch, Moses  Search this

Distler, Marian, 1919-1964  Search this

Folkways Records  Search this

Extent:

2 Phonograph records (analog, 33 1/3 rpm, 12 in.)

Culture:

Americans  Search this

Type:

Archival materials

Phonograph records

Contents:

Isn't this a lovely day --Puttin' on the Ritz --I used to be color blind --The continental --Let's call the whole thing off --Change partners --'S wonderful --Lovely to look at --They all laughed --Cheek to cheek --Steppin' out with my baby --The way you look tonight --I've got my eyes on you --Dancing in the dark --The carioca --Nice work if you can get it --New sun in the sky --I won't dance --(Ad lib) Fast dances --Top hat, white tie and tails --No strings --I concentrate on you -- I'm putting all my eggs in one basket --A fine romance -- Night and day --Fascinating rhythm --I love Louisa --(Ad lib) Slow dances --(Ad lib) Medium dances --They can't take that away from me --You're easy to dance with --A needle in a haystack --So near and yet so far --A foggy day --Oh, lady be good! --I'm building up to an awful letdown --Not my girl --Jam session.

Track Information:

1A1 Isn't This a Lovely Day.

1A2 Puttin' on the Ritz.

1A3 I Used To Be Color Blind.

1A4 The Continental.

1B1 Let's Call the Whole Thing Off.

1B2 Change Partners.

1B3 'S Wonderful.

1B4 Lovely to Look At.

1B5 They All Laughed.

2A1 Cheek to Cheek.

2A2 Steppin' Out with My Baby.

2A3 The Way You Look Tonight.

2A4 I've Got My Eye's On You.

2A5 Dancing in the Dark.

2B1 The Carioca.

2B2 Nice Work If You Can Get It.

2B3 New Sun in the Sky.

2B4 I Won't Dance.

2B5 (Ad Lib) Fast Dancer.

3A1 Top Hat, White Tie, And Tails.

3A2 No Strings.

3A3 I Concentrate on You.

3A4 I'm Putting All My Eggs in One Basket.

3A5 A Fine Romance.

3B1 Night and Day.

3B2 Fascinating Rythym.

3B3 I Love Louisa.

3B4 (Ad Lib) Slow Dances.

3B5 (Ad Lib) Medium Dances.

4A1 They Can't Take That Away from Me.

4A2 You're Easy To Dance With.

4A3 A Needle in a Haystack.

4A4 So Near And Yet So Far.

4A5 A Foggy Day.

4B1 Oh, Lady Be Good!

4B2 I'm Building Up to an Awful Letdown.

4B3 Not My Girl.

4B4 Jam Session.

Local Numbers:

FW-ASCH-LP-3792

Mercury.926

Publication, Distribution, Etc. (Imprint):

Mercury

General:

2 DISC SET, AUTOGRAPHED; Mercury: (MG C-1001--MG C-1004). Produced by Norman Granz. Performer(s): The musicians used are Flip Phillips, tenor saxophone ; Charlie Shavers, trumpet ; Oscar Peterson, piano ; Barney Kessel, guitar ; Ray Brown, bass ; and Alvin Stoller, drums.

Restrictions:

Restrictions on access. No duplication allowed listening and viewing for research purposes only.

Collection Rights:

Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.

Topic:

Biography  Search this

Collection Citation:

Moses and Frances Asch Collection, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections, Smithsonian Institution.

Identifier:

CFCH.ASCH, Item FW-ASCH-LP-3792

See more items in:

Moses and Frances Asch Collection

Moses and Frances Asch Collection / Series 9: Audio Recordings / LP

Archival Repository:

Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections

GUID:

https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/bk53d1046c1-f001-4ca9-b746-46cb2e09102b

EDAN-URL:

ead_component:sova-cfch-asch-ref17919

Producer:

Granz, Norman, 1918-2001  Search this

Collection Creator:

Asch, Moses  Search this

Distler, Marian, 1919-1964  Search this

Folkways Records  Search this

Extent:

1 Phonograph record (analog, 78 rpm, 10 in.)

Type:

Archival materials

Phonograph records

Date:

1946

Contents:

After You've Gone

Local Numbers:

FW-ASCH-78-0008

Disc.5100

Publication, Distribution, Etc. (Imprint):

New York Disc 1946

Restrictions:

Restrictions on access. No duplication allowed listening and viewing for research purposes only.

Collection Rights:

Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.

Collection Citation:

Moses and Frances Asch Collection, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections, Smithsonian Institution.

Identifier:

CFCH.ASCH, Item FW-ASCH-78-0008

See more items in:

Moses and Frances Asch Collection

Moses and Frances Asch Collection / Series 9: Audio Recordings / 78 RPM

Archival Repository:

Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections

GUID:

https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/bk566b7d3fe-b783-4803-a6c1-dad8a5b3b7dd

EDAN-URL:

ead_component:sova-cfch-asch-ref21470

Producer:

Granz, Norman, 1918-2001  Search this

Artist:

Lewis, Meade, 1905-1964  Search this

Collection Creator:

Asch, Moses  Search this

Distler, Marian, 1919-1964  Search this

Folkways Records  Search this

Extent:

1 Phonograph record (analog, 78 rpm, 10 in.)

Type:

Archival materials

Phonograph records

Date:

194x

Contents:

Medium blues --Fast blues --Slow blues --Honky tonk train blues.

Local Numbers:

FW-ASCH-78-2835

Disc.502

Publication, Distribution, Etc. (Imprint):

New York Disc 194x

General:

Program information on container. Performer(s): Meade Lux Lewis, piano.

Restrictions:

Restrictions on access. No duplication allowed listening and viewing for research purposes only.

Collection Rights:

Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.

Collection Citation:

Moses and Frances Asch Collection, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections, Smithsonian Institution.

Identifier:

CFCH.ASCH, Item FW-ASCH-78-2835

See more items in:

Moses and Frances Asch Collection

Moses and Frances Asch Collection / Series 9: Audio Recordings / 78 RPM

Archival Repository:

Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections

GUID:

https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/bk5b589c6b3-7799-4294-9a4b-91f62f795f49

EDAN-URL:

ead_component:sova-cfch-asch-ref23726

Producer:

Granz, Norman, 1918-2001  Search this

Collection Creator:

Asch, Moses  Search this

Distler, Marian, 1919-1964  Search this

Folkways Records  Search this

Extent:

1 Phonograph record (analog, 78 rpm, 12 in.)

Type:

Archival materials

Phonograph records

Date:

1947

Contents:

Rosetta, pt. 1 and 2 / Hines, Sun -- Body and soul, pts. 1-4 / Heyman, Sour, Green.

Local Numbers:

FW-ASCH-78-2925

Disc.507

Publication, Distribution, Etc. (Imprint):

New York Disc 1947

General:

Performed by Illinois Jacquet, tenor saxophone; Jack McVea tenor saxophone; J.J. Johnson, trombone; "Shorty" Nadine, piano; Johnny Miller, bass; Les Paul, guitar; Lee Young, drums; under the supervision of Norman Granz.

Restrictions:

Restrictions on access. No duplication allowed listening and viewing for research purposes only.

Collection Rights:

Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.

Collection Citation:

Moses and Frances Asch Collection, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections, Smithsonian Institution.

Identifier:

CFCH.ASCH, Item FW-ASCH-78-2925

See more items in:

Moses and Frances Asch Collection

Moses and Frances Asch Collection / Series 9: Audio Recordings / 78 RPM

Archival Repository:

Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections

GUID:

https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/bk5a5fc9386-b535-410a-a026-74112f27b541

EDAN-URL:

ead_component:sova-cfch-asch-ref23788

Artist:

Granz, Norman, 1918-2001  Search this

Collection Creator:

Asch, Moses  Search this

Distler, Marian, 1919-1964  Search this

Folkways Records  Search this

Extent:

1 Phonograph record (analog, 78 rpm, 10 in.)

Type:

Archival materials

Phonograph records

Local Numbers:

FW-ASCH-78-2990

Disc.2001

Publication, Distribution, Etc. (Imprint):

New York Disc

Restrictions:

Restrictions on access. No duplication allowed listening and viewing for research purposes only.

Collection Rights:

Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.

Collection Citation:

Moses and Frances Asch Collection, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections, Smithsonian Institution.

Identifier:

CFCH.ASCH, Item FW-ASCH-78-2990

See more items in:

Moses and Frances Asch Collection

Moses and Frances Asch Collection / Series 9: Audio Recordings / 78 RPM

Archival Repository:

Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections

GUID:

https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/bk52a306ff7-5e28-4443-9eab-4053caf3bf2e

EDAN-URL:

ead_component:sova-cfch-asch-ref23834

Artist:

Granz, Norman, 1918-2001  Search this

Collection Creator:

Asch, Moses  Search this

Distler, Marian, 1919-1964  Search this

Folkways Records  Search this

Extent:

1 Phonograph record (analog, 78 rpm, 10 in.)

Type:

Archival materials

Phonograph records

Contents:

Lady Be Good, parts 1 & 2

Local Numbers:

FW-ASCH-78-3594

Disc.2005

Publication, Distribution, Etc. (Imprint):

New York Disc

Restrictions:

Restrictions on access. No duplication allowed listening and viewing for research purposes only.

Collection Rights:

Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.

Collection Citation:

Moses and Frances Asch Collection, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections, Smithsonian Institution.

Identifier:

CFCH.ASCH, Item FW-ASCH-78-3594

See more items in:

Moses and Frances Asch Collection

Moses and Frances Asch Collection / Series 9: Audio Recordings / 78 RPM

Archival Repository:

Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections

GUID:

https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/bk5f694df7c-649e-422d-805c-a4e06f8eea35

EDAN-URL:

ead_component:sova-cfch-asch-ref24298

Creator:

Armstrong, Lucille  Search this

Bechet, Sidney, 1897-1959  Search this

Armstrong, Louis, 1901-1971  Search this

Condon, Eddie, 1905-1973  Search this

Calloway, Cab, 1907-1994  Search this

Commodore Records.  Search this

Feather, Leonard, 1914-1994  Search this

Gabler, Milt  Search this

Davis, Sammy, 1925-  Search this

Decca (recording company).  Search this

Granz, Norman  Search this

Hawkins, Coleman  Search this

Kaempfert, Bert, 1923-1980  Search this

Ives, Burl, 1909-  Search this

Holiday, Billie, 1915-1959  Search this

Norvo, Red, 1908-1999  Search this

Mills Brothers.  Search this

Krupa, Gene, 1909-1973  Search this

Kelly, Peck, 1898-  Search this

Williams, Cootie, 1911-1985  Search this

United Hot Clubs of America.  Search this

Stewart, Rex (William), Jr., 1907-1967 (cornetist)  Search this

Jordan, Louis, 1908-1975  Search this

Goodman, Benny (Benjamin David), 1909-1986  Search this

Names:

Crosby, Bing, 1904-1977  Search this

Goodman, Benny (Benjamin David), 1909-1986  Search this

Extent:

25 Cubic feet (75 boxes )

Type:

Collection descriptions

Archival materials

Legal records

Magazines (periodicals)

Catalogs

Correspondence

Financial records

Music

Bank statements

Autobiographies

Articles

Tax records

Business records

Newsletters

Photographs

Recordings

Sheet music

Date:

1895-2001

Summary:

The collection documents Gabler's involvement in the recording industry and the evolution of Commodore Records. The documentation begins with the Commodore Radio Shop through its evolution to Commodore Music Shop. The collection also includes the beginnings of the Commodore record label and information detailing Gabler's 30 years as staff producer and later Vice-President in Charge of Artists and Repertoire at Decca Records (1941-1974). There is a small collection of black and white photographs chronicling the early years at the Commodore Music Shop, as well as jam sessions, often held at Jimmy Ryan's on 52nd Street. The collection also includes a vast array of audio recordings (mainly audiodiscs).

Scope and Contents:

Papers documenting Gabler's life and career, including: correspondence with family members, friends and people in the music business such as Sammy Davis, Jr. and Lucille Armstrong (Louis' wife); Gabler's writings, including an autobiography and numerous articles; music manuscripts and sheet music, the lyrics for some of which were written by Gabler, and other compositions written by others, including Red Norvo, Eddie Condon and others; legal and financial records, including royalty statements, tax papers and banking records; business records for Commodore and Decca, including correspondence from persons such as Norman Granz, Burl Ives, and Leonard Feather; Commodore and Decca legal records including licensing and trademark documents; publicity materials; production records, such as production logs and liner notes; printed materials such as catalogs, newsletters, magazines, and periodicals; papers relating to Gabler's affiliation with Bert Kaempfert, including correspondence, sheet music and lyrics, and production records; photographs of Gabler and his family and of numerous others in the music industry, including Bing Crosby, Billie Holiday, Sammy Davis Jr., Bert Kaempfert, the Mills Brothers, Rex Stewart, Cootie Williams, Benny Goodman, Coleman Hawkins, Gene Krupa, Louis Jordan, Peck Kelly, Sidney Bechet, Cab Calloway, Louis Armstrong, and numerous others, many taken in the studio during recording sessions; and audio recordings.

Arrangement:

The collection is arranged into twenty-seven series.

Series 1: Personal Correspondence

Series 2: Writings by Milt Gabler

Series 3: Music Manuscripts and Sheet Music

Series 4: Personal Financial and Legal Records

Series 5: Commodore and Decca Correspondence and Gabler Rolodex

Series 6: Commodore and Decca Legal Records

Series 7: Commodore and Decca Financial

Series 8: Publicity

Series 9: Commodore and Decca Projects

Series 10: Production Records

Series 11: Commodore General Correspondence

Series 12: Commodore Financial Records

Series 13: Commodore Legal Records

Series 14: Commodore Production Records

Series 15: Commodore, Various Projects and Topical Files

Series 16: Commodore Publicity Records

Series 17: Business Cards

Series 18: Catalogs

Series 19: Newsletters

Series 20: Serials

Series 21: Monographs

Series 22: Newsclippings, Periodical Articles, and Advertisements

Series 23: Correspondence with Organizations

Series 24: Organization Membership cards

Series 25: Bert Kaempfert

Series 26: Photographs

Series 27: Audio Discs

Biographical / Historical:

Milt Gabler was born in Harlem, New York on May 20, 1911. He began managing his father's radio and small appliance store, the Commodore Radio Shop, while still a teen. Gabler convinced his father to expand the business and sell audio recordings. Soon Gabler pioneered the concept of marketing reissues by leasing discontinued masters from various record companies (mainly Victor, Columbia, Vocalion, and Brunswick). Eventually the Gablers changed the name of the family business to the Commodore Music Shop. By the early 1930's Gabler founded the first mail order record label, United Hot Clubs of America, to reach an even greater audience of jazz enthusiasts. In 1935 Gabler began publicizing the music shop by staging a series of Sunday afternoon jam sessions at several different recording studios along 52nd Street. Later the jam sessions moved to the nearby jazz club, Jimmy Ryan's.

In 1938 Gabler founded the Commodore music label. It was the first American recording label created exclusively for jazz music. A recording session for Eddie Condon's Windy City Seven at Brunswick Studios was the first original Commodore recording. In 1939 Gabler recorded Billie Holiday's controversial "Strange Fruit", which became Commodore's first major commercial success. Other notable Commodore artists include Sidney Bechet, Jonah Jones, Peck Kelley, Red Norvo, Ralph Sutton, and Teddy Wilson. Gabler began as a staff producer at Decca Records in 1941 and worked with artists from many different musical genres: Ella Fitzgerald, Bing Crosby, Judy Garland, Brenda Lee, the Weavers, and Louis Jordan, among others. Gabler also began writing lyrics in collaboration with Decca songwriters/composers. In 1954 Gabler produced the first recordings by Bill Haley and the Comets. In addition, Gabler continued to run the Commodore recording label until 1957. Gabler also managed the Commodore Music Shop until 1958, when he began working full-time at Decca as Vice-President in Charge of Artists and Repertoire. Throughout the 1960's Gabler served as lyricist in a number of collaborations with Bert Kaempfert and Herbert Rehbein. Gabler retained his influential position at Decca until 1974 when the corporation moved to the West Coast. Through the Decca years, Gabler had saved the Commodore masters and in 1974 began to reissue the recordings through Atlantic, Columbia Special Products, and finally United Hot Clubs of America. In 1987 Mosaic Records also began to reissue the entire catalog of Commodore recordings.

In the last decades of his life Gabler remained active in a number of professional organizations, most notably the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, which bestowed upon him a Grammy lifetime achievement award in 1991. Gabler died in New York on July 20, 2001.

Provenance:

Collection donated by Milt Gabler estate, through Lee Gabler.

Restrictions:

The collection is open for research use. Some materials restricted; but most are available for unrestricted research access on site by appointment.

Several items of personal correspondence contained private medical information about living individuals. The originals were removed and will remain sealed until 2030. Copies with the sensitive information redacted are available for research use in the collection.

Access to audio recordings for which no reference copy exists requires special arrangements with Archives Center staff. Please ask the reference archivist for additional information.

Rights:

Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.

Topic:

Music publishers  Search this

Jazz musicians -- United States  Search this

Jazz -- 20th century -- United States  Search this

Composition (Music)  Search this

Music trade  Search this

Music -- 20th century -- United States  Search this

Musicians -- United States  Search this

Genre/Form:

Legal records

Magazines (periodicals) -- 20th century

Catalogs

Correspondence -- 20th century

Financial records

Music -- Manuscripts

Bank statements

Autobiographies

Articles

Tax records

Business records -- 20th century

Newsletters -- 20th century

Photographs -- 20th century

Recordings

Sheet music -- 20th century

Citation:

Milt Gabler Papers, 1927-2001, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.

Identifier:

NMAH.AC.0849

See more items in:

Milt Gabler Papers

Archival Repository:

Archives Center, National Museum of American History

GUID:

https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep844dc4ee2-1f0b-43c1-9566-5dc6b5b62ee2

EDAN-URL:

ead_collection:sova-nmah-ac-0849