Converted to EAD3 : Encoded Archival Description (EAD), Version 3 : Release: 1.1.1 : Release Date: 2019-12-16. Validating against latest version of schema.
Contact information: http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.music/perform.contact
Catalog Record: https://lccn.loc.gov/2011570503
Collection material in English.
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the LC Catalog. They are grouped by name of person or organization, by subject or location, and by occupation and listed alphabetically.
The Billy Taylor Papers were placed on deposit at the Library of Congress in August 1997. These materials were formally converted to a gift in 2000.
No further accruals are expected.
The Billy Taylor Papers were processed by Lloyd Pinchback between 2000 and 2010. Christopher Hartten coded the finding aid for EAD format in May 2011. Nancy Seeger coded the remaining series for EAD format in the winter of 2011-2012.
Sound and video recordings from the Billy Taylor Papers have been transferred to the Library of Congress Motion Picture, Broadcasting, and Recorded Sound Division where they are identified as part of the Billy Taylor Collection (MAVIS collection no. 8556). The audio recordings that have been cataloged in the Library of Congress online catalog are identified as part of the "Billy Taylor Collection (Library of Congress)." An inventory of these materials is available in the Music Division's collection file.
The William P. Gottlieb Collection contains twelve photographs of Billy Taylor and his band members dating from 1946-1948.
Materials from the Billy Taylor Papers are governed by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, U.S.C.) and other applicable international copyright laws.
The Billy Taylor Papers are open to research. Researchers are advised to contact the Music Division prior to visiting in order to determine whether the desired materials will be available at that time.
Certain restrictions to use or copying of materials may apply.
Electronic files on several floppy disks were received as part of the Billy Taylor Papers. Consult reference staff in the Performing Arts Reading Room for more information.
Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [item, date, container number], Billy Taylor Papers, Music Division, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.
The Billy Taylor Collection represents a comprehensive resource for the study of jazz history, performance, and pedagogy. Dr. Taylor was more than a renowned jazz pianist and composer, he was also an educator who lectured extensively at colleges and universities nationwide, and authored several books on jazz history, theory and appreciation. The collection, which spans the years 1942-2004, documents the depth and breadth of Taylor’s multifaceted career as a musician, composer, writer, host, and jazz ambassador. Throughout his career, Taylor worked tirelessly as an advocate for jazz and to produce programs that promoted jazz as “America’s classical music.”
The collection is divided into the following series: Music, Writings, Business Papers, Professional Papers, Printed Matter, Photographs, Realia and Personal Papers. Music materials from the Billy Taylor Papers chiefly consist of manuscript scores, lead sheets, and parts, by Taylor and other jazz composers and arrangers. Taylor is credited with having composed over 300 works, the majority of which are represented in the collection. Notable works include
Taylor's works from two of his most noteworthy projects,
The Writings series is subdivided into three subseries: Writings by Billy Taylor, Writings about Billy Taylor, and Miscellaneous Writings. The first subseries contains an extensive amount of Billy Taylor's writings in both manuscript and printed form. It includes Taylor's lectures, public addresses, articles, open letters, public statements, drafts of his doctoral dissertation,
The Business Papers series contains administrative papers for numerous cultural organizations and programs with which Taylor associated. It is further subdivided into three subseries: Organizations and Affiliations, Contracts, and General Correspondence. The Organizations and Affiliations subseries contains administrative papers for dozens of organizations and programs, including, ASCAP,
The Professional Papers series contains materials that reflect Taylor's various professional pursuits, such as a concert performer, lecturer, interviewer, and television and radio host. The date books and itineraries reveal a chronological record of Taylor's activities and schedules. The interview cue sheets, transcripts and scripts document interviews with dozens of musical and cultural figures, particularly from the world of jazz. Many of the cue sheets and transcripts are from Taylor's stints as cultural correspondent with the television program
The Printed Matter series contains newsletters, press kits, press releases, programs, and other publications that Taylor personally collected. While most items may not relate directly to Taylor's career or activities, all reflect in some way his lifelong interest in jazz, education, race, the arts, media and culture. The press kits are arranged in two different groupings, one relating to artists and the other relating to organizations and venues.
The Photographs series includes numerous posed publicity shots of Billy Taylor, candid shots of Taylor in performance both alone and with his trio, and Taylor with various musicians and music ensembles, including a rare group photo from 1948 that includes Taylor and jazz pianist Art Tatum. In addition, there are many photographs that depict Taylor's activities, such as coaching, lecturing, teaching, getting involved in community activism, and working as a disc jockey. There are also photographs and snapshots of Taylor and his family, including his wife Teddi. Several items feature Taylor at special events and ceremonies, and with public figures and famous personalities, such as Mayors Ed Koch and John Lindsay, President Gerald Ford, David Frost, and Nancy Reagan. Well-known jazz figures that are pictured alone include Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Dizzy Gillespie, Dexter Gordon, Lionel Hampton, Billie Holiday, Ramsey Lewis, Wynton Marsalis, the Modern Jazz Quartet, and Frank Wess. This series also includes some slides, contact sheets, oversized prints, and photo albums.
The Realia series contains the numerous awards, citations and plaques that Taylor received throughout his career. It includes the National Medal of Arts which he received in 1992; honorary degrees from dozens of universities and colleges, including Berklee College of Music, Rutgers University, and the University of North Carolina; certificates of appreciation from cities, states, schools, and organizations, including the International Association of Jazz Educators and the Jazz Heritage Society; awards, including the ASCAP Foundation Sacks Award for Exemplary Public Service; proclamations; trophies; fraternity and alumni awards; the
The Personal Papers series contains materials relating to Taylor's education, including documents related to Taylor’s doctoral studies at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. In addition, there are financial and legal papers of a personal nature. The correspondence includes various letters, greeting cards, notes, and invitations to special events. There are also official invitations from the White House, the Kennedy Center and the Library of Congress. Taylor and his wife were invited guests at the White House under each administration since the presidency of Richard M. Nixon.
Those who assisted with the processing of the Billy Taylor Collection include: Acquisitions and Processing Technicians Anthony Edwards and Shantel Lambert, and former Junior Fellow, Christine Silas.
Lloyd A. Pinchback
Music Specialist
Acquisitions & Processing Section, Music Division
The Billy Taylor Papers are organized in eight series:
Catalog Record: https://lccn.loc.gov/2011570503
Speeches, articles, lectures and public statements by Taylor; Taylor's dissertation; articles, clippings, reviews, and publicity materials about Taylor; projects, programs, and proposals; reports, studies, surveys; research papers; stage and screen materials.
Correspondence, contracts and agreements, meeting agendas and minutes, memos, newsletters, press releases, legal and financial documents, reports, promotional materials and administrative materials for numerous organizations, most notably Jazzmobile, the Kennedy Center, and the Rockefeller Foundation.
Date books, travel itineraries, interview cue sheets, transcripts for interviews, scripts, programs, and promotional materials.
Newsletters, press kits, press releases and various musical and cultural publications.
Chiefly photographic prints of Taylor alone, with family, in performance, and with others; photographs of musicians; film strips; negatives; slides; contact sheets; and oversized photographs.
Certificates of appreciation, honorary degrees, citations, proclamations, lifetime achievement awards, plaques, alumni awards, honorary memberships, medals, cups, and trophies from numerous organizations; scrapbooks; flyers, posters, and calendars. For a complete inventory of contents in this series, consult a reference librarian.
Personal correspondence, including greeting cards, invitations from the Kennedy Center, the White House and other organizations; legal and financial papers; and educational materials.