Scope and Content Note
Materials in the Bruce Lundvall Papers span from 1946-2012, with the bulk of the materials dating from the 1970s-2012. The collection contains artist files, business papers, correspondence, programs, promotional materials, writings, photographs, and realia pertaining to Lundvall's career as a record executive for the Columbia, Elektra, and Blue Note labels. Only a fraction of Lundvall's business activities are documented here, as the majority of his papers remain with the record companies themselves.
The artist files include correspondence, clippings, and promotional items for notable jazz and popular music stars, authors, conductors, journalists, and colleagues with whom Lundvall had a relationship or personal interest. These figures include Johnny Cash, Miles Davis, Dexter Gordon, Whitney Houston, Norah Jones, Quincy Jones, Joe Lovano, Willie Nelson, and Cassandra Wilson, among others. Correspondence from most individuals is fairly limited. The remaining files consist of small quantities of business papers from Lundvall's work with Elektra/Musician and Blue Note, memorial tribute programs, and promotional materials for artists of interest and concerts attended.
A series of biographical materials document Lundvall's accomplishments and activities through clippings, speeches, awards, and programs. Many of these items also provide some history and perspective on the legacy of the Blue Note label and trends in the record industry. Photographs in the collection chiefly feature artists that Lundvall signed or encountered at concerts or promotional signing events. Many date from the early 1980s and include the likes of Jackson Browne, Ron Carter, Herbie Hancock, Chaka Kahn, Max Roach, McCoy Tyner, and others. Rounding out the collection are several albums of promotional materials that represent some of Lundvall's work in marketing for Columbia Records, as well as three commemorative plaques and a drawing of Charles Mingus.