Taylor, Billy, 1921-2010 Billy Taylor papers
English
United States
Organized into the following series: I. Music (1942-2000), subdivided: Original Compositions, Music from The David Frost Show, Teddy Castion / Billiy Taylor Compositions, Music for Jazzmobile, Music by Other Composers, II. Writings (1945-2001), subdivided: Writings by Billy Taylor (1956-2000), Writings about Billy Taylor (1945-1991), Miscellaneous Writings (1947-1999), III. Business Papers (1968-2004), subdivided: Organizations and Affiliations (1968-2004), Contracts (1977-2001), General Correspondence (1969-2001), IV. Professional Papers (1942-2001), subdivided: Date Books and Itineraries (1976-2001), Interview Cue Sheets and Transcripts (1968-2001), Scripts (1954-2001), Programs (1942-2001), Promotional Material (1951-2001), V. Printed Matter (1970-2001), VI. Photographs (1940s-circa 1995), VII. Realia (1962-2001), X. Personal Papers (1956-1999)
The collection contains materials related to his life and career, including music manuscripts, correspondence, writings by and about Taylor, business papers, promotional and publicity materials, clippings, scripts, programs, photographs, awards, honorary degrees and plaques. The music materials chiefly consist of manuscript scores, lead sheets and parts, by Taylor and other jazz composers and arrangers.
The Music series consists 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.
The Writings series 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 History and Development of Jazz Piano, and his published works, including 'Jazz Piano: A Jazz History' and 'Jazz Piano: History and Development.' The Writings about Billy Taylor subseries contains various types of materials documenting Taylor's life, career and activities, including articles, interviews, reviews of performances and recordings, clippings, newsletters, and publicity materials such as brochures and press releases. The Miscellaneous Writings subseries contains writings that Taylor accrued over several decades. While most items may not relate directly to Taylor's career or activities, all reflect in some way his lifelong interest in jazz, the arts, media, and culture. These materials include articles on jazz musicians, publications from various projects and programs, reports, research papers, surveys, stage and screen works, and proposals.
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, Black Journal, Jazzmobile, the Kennedy Center, National Endowment for the Arts, and the Rockefeller Foundation. The materials include correspondence, memos, minutes and agendas, legal and financial documents, and printed matter. The Contracts subseries contains Taylor's contracts for many of the organizations and programs with which he was involved. The General Correspondence subseries contains miscellaneous correspondence between Taylor and various organizations and individuals regarding Taylor's professional activities.
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. In addition, this series contains programs and promotional material, including announcements, brochures, flyers, and schedules.
The Printed Matter series contains newsletters, press kits, press releases, programs, and other publications that Taylor personally collected.
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.
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.
Library of Congress Subject Headings
60010$aTaylor, Billy,$d1921-2010$vArchives.
Archives
Taylor, Billy, 1921-2010--Correspondence.
60010$aTaylor, Billy,$d1921-2010$vCorrespondence.
Correspondence
60010$aTaylor, Billy,$d1921-2010$vManuscripts.
60010$aTaylor, Billy,$d1921-2010$vPhotographs.
Photographs
John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (U.S.)
1102 $aJohn F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (U.S.)
Composers--United States
Composers
Jazz musicians--United States
Jazz musicians
Jazz--History and criticism
Jazz
History and criticism
Jazz--Instruction and study
Instruction and study
Television music, Arranged
Scores
Lead sheets
Parts (Music)
Television music
Arrangements (Music)
Taylor, Billy, 1921-2010 Jazz piano : a jazz history
1001 $aTaylor, Billy,$d1921-2010.$tJazz piano : a jazz history
Taylor, Billy, 1921-2010 Jazz piano : history and development
1001 $aTaylor, Billy,$d1921-2010.$tJazz piano : history and development
Taylor, Billy, 1921-2010 Works. Selections
1001 $aTaylor, Billy,$d1921-2010.$tWorks.$kSelections
CBS News Sunday morning (Television program)
1300 $aSunday morning (Television program)