Audiotapes, CDs and digital files: an ongoing project to interview and preserve the memories of people important in the jazz world, including jazz musicians, singers, dancers, producers, arrangers, and others. A list of interviewees and interviewers follows.
The following is a list of the individuals who conducted the interviews.
1. Brown, Anthony
2. Baker, Lida
3. Burstein, Julie
Interviewer
2. Bluiett, Hamiet
Arrangement:
This collection is arranged into six series.
Series 1, DAT and CD Original Interview Recordings, 1992-2012
Series 2, Cassette Reference and Master Interview Tapes, 1992-2012
Series 3, Audio CD Reference Copies, 2000-2012
Series 4, Video/CD, 1994-2012
Series 5, Transcripts and Abstracts, 1992-2014
Series 6, Supplemental Documentation, 1992-2012
Biographical / Historical:
The Smithsonian Jazz Oral History Program, a project of "America's Jazz Heritage, A Partnership of the Lila Wallace-Reader's Digest Fund and the Smithsonian Institution" initiative was created in 1992. More than 150 in-depth oral history interviews were conducted from 1992 through 2002. The collection was transferred to the Archives Center of the National Museum of American History in 2000. Now part of the National Museum of American History's American Music History Initiatives, the Smithsonian Jazz Oral History Program continues to conduct interviews as funding is available.
The Smithsonian Jazz Oral History Program was established to document significant jazz musicians, performers, producers, and business associates in their own words and voices. Program staff contacted and worked with potential interviewees to arrange for interviews. Each interview was conducted by a jazz authority and was recorded on digital audiotape by a professional audio engineer. The interviews averaged 6 hours in length and covered a wide range of topics including early years, initial involvement in music, generally, and jazz specifically, as well as experiences in the jazz music world, including relationships to musicians. The original DAT interview tapes were then dubbed to audiocassettes and CD to create protection and access copies. More recent interviews have been recorded using fully digital technology and the interviews are preserved and made availbel as digital files.
A number of the interviews were conducted as part of the Ella Fitzgerald Oral History Project of the Jazz Oral History Program. Funded by the Ella Fitzgerald Charitable Foundation, these interviews focus on the life and work of Ella Fitzgerald. The National Endowments for the Arts Jazz Masters Oral Histories Program continues to support new interviews with NEA Jazz Masters.
For more information about jazz concerts, education, collections, Jazz Appreciation Month, and the Jazz Master orchestra, visit Smithsonian Jazz.
Provenance:
The interviews were made for the Smithsonian Institution under the auspices of the Smithsonian Jazz Oral History Program supported by America's Jazz Heritage, funded by the Lila Wallace-Reader's Digest Fund, the Smithsonian Institution, and the National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Masters Oral Histories Program. Additional interviews were conducted with support from the Ella Fitzgerald Charitable Foundation.
Restrictions:
Collection is open for research. Researchers must use reference copies.
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. Release forms exist for most interviews.
[Interviewee name] Interview, Smithsonian Jazz Oral History Program Collection, 1992-2014, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
Sponsor:
The interviews were made for the Smithsonian Institution under the auspices of the Smithsonian Jazz Oral History Program and supported by America's Jazz Heritage, funded by the Lila Wallace-Reader's Digest Fund, the Smithsonian Institution, and the National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Masters Oral Histories Program. Additional interviews were conducted with support from the Ella Fitzgerald Charitable Foundation.
This land --Old time religion --Blowin' in the wind --Wish I had answered --Twelve gates to the city --Gamblin' man --Didn't it rain --Swing down, chariot! --Let that liar alone --Cottonfields -- Motherless children --A better home.
Track Information:
101 This Land / Staple Singers, Al Duncan, Phil Upchurch. Vocals,Guitar,Bass,Drum.
102 Old Time Religion / Staple Singers, Al Duncan, Johnny Pate. Guitar.
103 Blowing in the Wind / Staple Singers, Al Duncan, Phil Upchurch. Guitar.
104 Wish I Had Answered / Staple Singers, Al Duncan, Phil Upchurch. Guitar.
105 Oh, What a Beautiful City (Twelve Gates to the City) / Staple Singers, Al Duncan, Phil Upchurch. Guitar.
106 Gambling Man / Staple Singers, Al Duncan, Maceo Woods. Guitar.
201 Didn't It Rain / Staple Singers, Al Duncan, Phil Upchurch. Guitar.
202 Swing Down, Chariot / Staple Singers, Al Duncan, Phil Upchurch. Guitar.
203 Let That Liar Alone / Staple Singers, Al Duncan, Maceo Woods. Guitar.
204 Cotton Fields / Staple Singers, Al Duncan, Phil Upchurch. Guitar.
205 Motherless Children / Staple Singers, Al Duncan, Phil Upchurch. Guitar.
206 A Better Home / Staple Singers, Al Duncan, Phil Upchurch. Guitar.
Local Numbers:
RA-RAMS-LP-0178
Riverside.3524
Publication, Distribution, Etc. (Imprint):
New York Riverside 1963
General:
Descriptive notes by Orrin Keepnews on container. Performer(s): Gospel and folk songs; the Staple Singers; Roebuck Staples, vocals and guitar ; Phil Upchurch, electric bass ; Johnny Pate, bass ; Al Duncan, drums ; Maceo Woods, organ. Production notes: Recorded at Universal Recording Studios, Chicago.
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.
Pleasin' Paul (Red Allen and his Orch.) --Boogie woogie jump (Albert Ammons and Pete Johnson, piano) --High society (Louis Armstrong and his orch.) --Rockin' chair (Louis Armstrong and his All-Stars ; Armstrong and Jack Teagarden, vocals) --Night whispers (Buster Bailey, clarinet ; John Kirby and his orch.) --Georgia on my mind (Mildred Bailey) --Between 18th and 19th on Chestnut Street (Charlie Barnet and his orch. ; Mary Ann McCall, vocals) --South (Count Basie and his orch.) --Money is honey (Count Basie and his orch. ; Jimmy Rushing, vocals) --Nobody knows the way I feel dis mornin' (Sidney Bechet and his New Orleans Feetwarmers).
Local Numbers:
FW-ASCH-LP-0255
RCA Victor.LEJ-1
Publication, Distribution, Etc. (Imprint):
RCA Victor 195x
General:
Various jazz ensembles. "A Jazz Club of America presentation." Program notes by Bill Grauer, Jr. and Orrin Keepnews on container. Performer(s): Various jazz ensembles. Production notes: Recorded 1929-1947.
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.
Livery stable blues (Original Dixieland Jazz Band) --Mahogany Hall stomp (Kid Ory, trombone ; Louis Armstrong's Dixieland Seven) --Victory ball (Charlie Parker, alto sax ; Metronome All-Stars) --Sheik of Araby (Oscar Peterson Trio) -- Ain't misbehavin' (Django Reinhardt, guitar ; Quintet of the Hot Club of France) --Short stop (Shorty Rogers and his orch.) --Your red wagon (Jimmy Rushing, vocals ; Count Basie and his orch.) --Hello Lola (Pee Wee Russell, clarinet ; Mound City Blue Blowers).
Local Numbers:
FW-ASCH-LP-0263
RCA Victor.LEJ-10
Publication, Distribution, Etc. (Imprint):
RCA Victor 195x
General:
Various jazz ensembles. "A Jazz Club of America presentation". Program notes by Bill Grauer Jr. and Orrin Keepnews on container. Performer(s): Various jazz ensembles. Production notes: Recorded 1917-1947.
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.
Bedford Drive (Artie Shaw and his orch.) --Relaxin' at the Touro (Muggsy Spanier's Ragtime Band) --Daybreak serenade (Jess Stacy and his orch.) --Menelik (the lion of Judah) (Rex Stewart and his orch.) --St. Louis blues (Maxine Sullivan) --Ain't misbehavin' (Art Tatum) --That's a serious thing (Jack Teagarden, vocals-trombone ; Eddie Condon's Hot Spots) --Dark eyes (Charlie Ventura and his orch.).
Local Numbers:
FW-ASCH-LP-0264
RCA Victor.LEJ-11
Publication, Distribution, Etc. (Imprint):
RCA Victor 195x
General:
Various jazz ensembles. "A Jazz Club of America presentation". Program notes by Bill Grauer Jr. and Orrin Keepnews on container. Performer(s): Various jazz ensembles. Production notes: Recorded 1939-1940's.
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.
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.
Charleston --Five foot two, eyes of blue --Miss Annabelle Lee --Clap hands! Here comes Charlie --Manhattan --Flapper wife --Keep smiling at trouble --Sweet man.
Local Numbers:
FW-ASCH-LP-2028
London.3516
Publication, Distribution, Etc. (Imprint):
London 1954
General:
Jazz. Program notes on container. Production notes: Recorded ca. 1925-1927?
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.
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.
Lafayette (Bennie Moten's Kansas City Orch. ; Bennie Moten, piano) --Tailspin (Mound City Blue Blowers) -- You can't cheat a cheater (Napoleon's Emporers ; Phil Napoleon, trumpet) --She's cryin for me (New Orleans Rhythm Kings) --Davenport blues (Red and Miff's Stompers ; Red Nichols, cornet) --I'm going home (Jimmy Noone Trio ; Jimmy Noone, clarinet ; vocal by Ed Thomson) -- The one that got away (Esquire All-Americans ; Red Norvo, vibraphone) --New Orleans shout (King Oliver and His Orch. ; King Oliver, cornet).
Local Numbers:
FW-ASCH-LP-3660
RCA Victor.LEJ 9
Publication, Distribution, Etc. (Imprint):
RCA Victor 195x
General:
Various jazz ensembles. Program notes by Bill Grauer Jr. and Orrin Keepnews on container. Production notes: Recorded 1925-1940.
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.
Barnacle Bill the sailor (Bix Beiderbecke, cornet ; Hoagy Carmichael and his orch. ; Carmichael and Carson Robison, vocals) --Sobbin' blues (Bunny Berigan and his orch.) -- Shufflin' at the Hollywood (Chu Berry, tenor sax ; Lionel Hampton and his orch.) --Ready Eddy (Barney Bigard and his orch.) --That da da strain (George Brunis, trombone ; Mugsy Spanier and his Ragtime Band) --The scat song (Cab Calloway and his orch.) --Lazy river (Hoagy Carmichael and his orch.) --Goodbye (Barbara Carroll Trio) --My favorite blues (Benny Carter and his orch.) --Buckin' the blues (Buck Clayton, trumpet ; Esquire All-AmericanbAward Winners).
Local Numbers:
FW-ASCH-LP-4056
RCA Victor.LEJ 2
Publication, Distribution, Etc. (Imprint):
RCA Victor 195x
General:
Various jazz ensembles. "A Jazz Club of America presentation." Program notes by Bill Grauer, Jr. and Orrin Keepnews on container. Performer(s): Various jazz ensembles. Production notes: Recorded 1930-1946.
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.
Rockin' chair (Larry Clinton and his orch. (after 1938)) --Every time (Al Cohn and his orch (late 40's or early 50's)) -- Tip easy blues (Lee Collins, trumpet ; Jones and Collins Astoria Hot Eight (1929)) --I'm gonna stomp Mr. Henry Lee (Eddie Condon, guitar ; Eddie's Hot Shots ; Jack Teagarden, vocals) --Panhandle rag (Wild Bill Davison, trumpet ; Gene rupa and his Orch.) --Pencil Papa (Johnny Dodds' Hot Six (1929)) --Anything (Tommy Dorsey and his orch. ; Frank Sinatra, vocals (1940)) --Well, all right (Tommy Dorsey and his orch. ; Edythe Wright, vocals (1939))
Local Numbers:
FW-ASCH-LP-4057
RCA Victor.LEJ 3
Publication, Distribution, Etc. (Imprint):
RCA Victor 1955
General:
Jazz Club of America: LEJ-3. Various performers. "A Jazz Club of America presentation". Program notes by Bill Grauer Jr. and Orrin Keepnews on container. Production notes: Recorded 1929-1940's.
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.
You don't know what love is (Billy Eckstine, vocals ; Earl Hines and his Orch.) --Hop, skip and jump (Roy Eldridge, trumpet ; Artie Shaw and his Gramercy Five) --Perdido ; Lover man (Duke Ellington and his famous orch.) --Bublitchki (Ziggy Elman and his orch.) --Stoppin' at the Blue Horseshoe (Irving Fazola and his Dixieland band) --I've found a new baby (Bud Freeman and his Summa Cum Laude orch.) -- Erroll's bounce (Erroll Garner, piano).
Local Numbers:
FW-ASCH-LP-4058
RCA Victor.LEJ 4
Publication, Distribution, Etc. (Imprint):
RCA Victor 195x
General:
Various jazz ensembles. "A Jazz Club of America presentation." Program notes by Bill Grauer Jr. and Orrin Keepnews on container. Performer(s): Various jazz ensembles. Production notes: Recorded 1939-1940's.
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.
Night in Tunisia (Dizzy Gillespie and his orch.) --Singapore sorrows (Benny Goodman, clarinet ; Ben Pollack and his orch.) --Sing me a swing song (Benny Goodman and Lazy bones (Glen Gray and the Casa Loma Orch.) -- Everybody loves my baby (Lionel Hampton and his orch.) -- One hour (Coleman Hawkins, tenor sax ; Mound City Blue Blowers) --Shoe shine boy (Fletcher Henderson and his orch. ; Roy Eldridge, trumpet-vocals) --Swing out (J.C. Higginbotham, trombone ; Henry Allen and his orch.).
Local Numbers:
FW-ASCH-LP-4059
RCA Victor.LEJ 5
Publication, Distribution, Etc. (Imprint):
RCA Victor 195x
General:
Various jazz ensembles. "A Jazz Club of America presentation". Program notes on container. Performer(s): Various jazz ensembles. Production notes: Recorded 1928-1946.
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.
Grand piano blues ; Everybody loves my baby (Earl Hines and his orch.) --Squatty roo (Johnny Hodges and his orch.) -- Any old time (Billie Holiday, vocals ; Artie Shaw and his orch.) --Stormy weather (Lena Horne) --Peckin' (Harry James, trumpet ; Benny Goodman and his orch.) --When the saints go marching in (Bunk Johnson and his New Orleans Band) -- Lullaby of Birdland (J.J. Johnson and Kai Winding).
Local Numbers:
FW-ASCH-LP-4060
RCA Victor.LEJ 6
Publication, Distribution, Etc. (Imprint):
RCA Victor 195x
General:
Various jazz ensembles. "A Jazz Club of America presentation." Program notes by Bill Grauer Jr. and Orrin Keepnews on container. Performer(s): Various jazz ensembles. Production notes: Recorded 1929-1947.
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.
Bleeding hearted blues (James P. Johnson, piano ; Louisiana Sugar Babes) --Shimmeshawabble (Max Kaminsky and his Dixieland Bashers) --Tweed me (John Kirby and his orch.) --My Scandinavian baby (Gene Krupa and his orch.) -- I've found a new baby (Tommy Ladnier, trumpet ; New Orleans Feetwarmers) --The wild dog (Eddie Lang, guitar ; Joe Venuti's Blue Four) --Easy rider (Leadbelly) --A closer walk with Thee (George Lewis, clarinet ; Bunk Johnson and his New Orleans Band).
Local Numbers:
FW-ASCH-LP-4061
RCA Victor.LEJ 7
Publication, Distribution, Etc. (Imprint):
RCA Victor 195x
General:
Various jazz ensembles. "A Jazz Club of America Presentation." Program notes by Bill Grauer Jr. and Orrin Keepnews on container. Thou swell (James P. Johnson, piano ; Fats Waller, organ ; Louisiana Sugar Babes)--Title of first work on container. Performer(s): Various jazz ensembles. Production notes: Recorded in 1928-1955.
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.
Really blue (Joe Venuti's Blue Four) --Squeeze me (Fats Waller and his Rhythm) --That's all (Fats Waller, organ) -- Cadillac Slim (Ben Webster, tenor sax ; Benny Carter and his Chocolate Dandies) --Daybreak (Paul Whiteman and his orch.) --Humoresque (Mary Lou Williams Trio) --Handful of keys (Teddy Wilson, piano ; Benny Goodman Quartet) -- Cow cow blues (Bob Zurke and his Delta Rhythm Band).
Local Numbers:
FW-ASCH-LP-4064
RCA Victor.LEJ 12
Publication, Distribution, Etc. (Imprint):
RCA Victor 195x
General:
Various jazz ensembles. "A Jazz Club of America presentation." Program notes by Bill Grauer Jr. and Orrin Keepnews on container. Performer(s): Various jazz ensembles. Production notes: Recorded 1929-1945.
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.
