Abstract Laurindo Almeida was a Brazilian-American guitarist and composer. Often credited for contributions to the development of jazz samba, Almeida was a prolific composer and arranger of music for both classical Spanish guitar and popular guitar. He was an acclaimed recording artist and became the first person to win Grammy Awards for both classical and jazz performances. The collection contains manuscript and printed music, correspondence, publicity materials, photographs, and other items related...

Abstract Shirley Horn (1934-2005) was an American jazz pianist and singer. A lifelong resident of Washington, D.C., she was classically trained before discovering jazz, eventually forming her own trio in 1954. After graduating from Howard University, she recorded an album that caught the attention of Miles Davis, for whom she opened at the Village Vanguard in 1961. After recording two albums produced by Quincy Jones, she performed locally while raising her daughter. She began performing...

Abstract Bruce Lundvall was an American record company executive best known for his tenure as president and CEO of Blue Note Records. Lundvall was responsible for the revitalization of the label between 1984 and 2010, and signed many of the brightest stars in jazz and popular music, including Miles Davis, Stan Getz, Norah Jones, Wynton Marsalis, Willie Nelson, Cassandra Wilson, and countless others. The collection includes artist files, correspondence, photographs, promotional materials, and other...

Abstract Les Paul was a Grammy-winning musician and inventor known for his virtuosic guitar playing, pioneering of multitrack recording, and invention of the solid-body electric guitar. His inventions left an indelible impact on the music industry. In addition to live concerts he performed on the radio and on television, notably with his second wife, singer and guitarist Mary Ford. The Les Paul Papers contain music arranged for Les Paul's ensembles by himself or others and printed sheet music of...

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Max Roach was an American jazz drummer, composer, educator, and activist. The collection includes music manuscripts, writings, correspondence, business papers, photographs, programs, sound recordings, and other materials related to his career. It also contains a variety of materials pertaining to vocalist Abbey Lincoln and countless other jazz artists, including Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, Charles Mingus, and Charlie Parker.

Abstract Billy Strayhorn (1915-1967) was an American jazz pianist, composer, arranger, and lyricist. He is prominently known as the leading arranger for the Duke Ellington Orchestra, a position that he held for nearly three decades. The collection chiefly contains scores, sketches, lead sheets, and parts for original compositions and arrangements by Strayhorn and Ellington, as well as business papers, photographs, scripts, and other materials pertaining to Strayhorn's life and the posthumous...

Abstract Billy Taylor was an American jazz pianist, composer, educator, broadcaster, lecturer and advocate. 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...