Archives Center, National Museum of American History

Guide to the Jazz Oral History Collection about Duke Ellington

Summary
Collection ID:
NMAH.AC.0431
Creators:
Hasse, John Edward, 1948-
Willard, Patricia
Dates:
1988
1990
Languages:
English
.
Physical Description:
0.4 Cubic feet
3 boxes
Repository:
Collection consists of original cassettes, open-reel master, and reference cassette audiotapes of two oral history interviews about the life and career of Duke Ellington. Leonard Feather's oral history interview has a transcript. In separate interviews jazz critic Leonard Feather and Sam Woodyard discuss their relationships with and knowledge of Ellington and his music.
Scope and Contents
Scope and Contents
Audiotape interviews with jazz critic Leonard Feather and drummer Sam Woodyard about their relationships with Duke Ellington and the Ellington Orchestra. John Hasse interviewed Leonard Feather on June 10, 1990. Patricia Willard interviewed Sam Woodyeard on May 30, 1998 and May 31, 1988. The interviews were recorded on audio cassette.
Arrangement
Arrangement
Collection organized into one series.
Series 1, Jazz Oral History Collection, 1988-1990
Subseries 1.1: Leonard Feather
Subseries 1.2: Sam Woodyard
Biographical / Historical
Biographical / Historical
The Jazz Oral History Collection comprises two oral history interviews about Duke Ellington and his Orchestra.
One interview is with Leonard Feather (1914-1994), noted jazz critic, record producer, and composer. Born in England, Feather became an ardent fan of jazz by listening to recordings. The first time he saw Ellington perform live was in 1933 at the Palladium in London. Feather made his first trip to the United States in 1935 and through music critic and record producer John Hammond he met many of the leading musicians, producers, and concert promoters active in the American jazz scene. Feather was hired by Ellington in 1942 to do publicity and became part of what Feather referred to as "the Ellington family." Feather worked with Mercer Ellington as well and throughout the years he maintained an active involvement and friendship with Ellington.
A shorter interview with drummer Sam Woodyard (1925-1988) is poorly recorded and consequently it is difficult to hear and understand Woodyard's responses to the questions. Sam Woodyard was a drummer with the Ellington Orchestra from 1955 through 1966.
Administration
Author
Wendy Shay
Processing Information
Processed by Wendy Shay, archivist, September, 2011.
Existence and Location of Copies
The Archives Center created 1/4 inch open-reel preservation master audiotapes and audio cassette reference copies.
Custodial History
Transferred from Division of Music History (now Division of Cultural and Community Life), National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution on January 3, 1992.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Made for the National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution.
Using the Collection
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open for research.
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
Researchers must use audio cassette reference copies.
Preferred Citation
Jazz Oral History Collection about Duke Ellington, 1988-1990, Archives Center, National Museum of American History
Conditions Governing Use
No release forms exist. Collection items are available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning intellectual property rights. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply.
Keywords
Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
Audio cassettes Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Audiotapes -- Open reel Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Jazz musicians -- United States Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Jazz -- 20th century -- United States Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Music -- 20th century -- United States Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Transcripts Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Ellington, Duke, 1899-1974 Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Ellington, Mercer Kennedy, 1919-1996 (musician) Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Feather, Leonard, 1914-1994 Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Woodyard, Sam, 1925-1988 Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Strayhorn, Billy (William Thomas), 1915-1967 Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
P.O. Box 37012
Suite 1100, MRC 601
Washington, D.C. 20013-7012
archivescenter@si.edu