Scope and Content Note
The Carmen McRae Collection of Musical Arrangements and Other Materials span from 1931 to 1993 with the majority of the materials dating from the 1950s to the 1970s. The collection chiefly consists of manuscript scores, parts, lead sheets, and annotated sheet music for approximately 800 songs. Notable arrangers whose works are found in this collection include Francy Boland, Ralph Burns, Benny Carter, John Clayton, Gene DiNovi, Bill Holman, Jimmy Jones, Thad Jones, Fred Katz, Johnny Keating, Arif Mardin, Peter Matz, Oliver Nelson, Nat Pierce, Shorty Rogers, Don Sebesky, Norman Simmons, and Ernie Wilkins.
McRae frequently performed with small groups, such as trios and quartets. She assigned numbers to the parts which refer back to her small group performance book. In many instances, these parts were taken from much larger arrangements. When applicable, these "small group #'s" are provided in notes in this finding aid.
In addition to the music materials, the McRae papers contain a small amount of correspondence, photographs, song lists, program notes and promotional materials.