Mel Lewis Audiovisual Collection Finding Aid (PDF)
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Marr Sound Archives Miller Nichols Library University of Missouri, Kansas City The Mel Lewis Collection SIZE: DATE RANGE: 1939-1989 ACQUISITION: ACCESS: This is a non-circulation collection. Listening stations are available in the archives. COPYRIGHT: Requests for permission to publish material from this collection should be discussed with the Special Collections Librarian or other authorized agent. ACCEPTED BY: Chuck Haddix PROCESSED BY: Andrew Hansbrough/Cody Kauhl SUPERVISING ARCHIVIST: Kelley Martin BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH: http://library.umkc.edu/spec-col-collections/lewis-mel Mel Lewis (May 10, 1929-February 2, 1990) was born Melvin Sokoloff in Buffalo, New York, to Russian immigrant parents. His father was a drummer in the Buffalo area who inspired his son to follow in his footsteps from an early age. Still in his mid teens, Lewis played with nationally known jazz musicians Harold Austin and Lenny Lewis. Early credits also include stints with Bernie Burns (1946), Boyd Raeburn (1948), Alvino Rey (1948-9), Ray Anthony (1949-50, 1953-54), and Tex Beneke (1950- 53). In 1954 he joined Stan Kenton's band, playing alongside such musicians as Jimmy Giuffre, Maynard Ferguson, Laurindo Almeida, Vido Musso, and vocalist June Christy. During his three-year tenure with Kenton, Lewis also worked and recorded with the Frank Rosolino quintet and the Hampton Hawes Trio. In 1957, Lewis settled in Los Angeles where he led a quintet with another ex-Kenton sideman, saxophonist Bill Holman. He worked with the big bands of Gerald Wilson and Terry Gibbs, recording with the latter between 1959-62. The early 1960s saw Lewis in New York with the Gerry Mulligan Concert Jazz Band, in Europe with Dizzy Gillespie, and in Russia with Benny Goodman. Lewis moved to New York in 1963 and formed a big band with trumpeter Thad Jones two years later. The Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra performed and recorded extensively, garnering rave reviews and awards. Their performance on the album Live in Munich earned them a Grammy Award in 1979. After twelve productive years, Jones left for Europe and Lewis assumed sole leadership of the band. With the departure of Jones, Kansas City-born trombonist/pianist/arranger Bob Brookmeyer assisted in the musical direction of the Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra. Lewis established a residency at the prestigious Village Vanguard that spanned over two decades, where he performed up until one month prior to his death in 1990. The orchestra continued to tour and record albums, as well as to perform every Monday night at the Village Vanguard under the moniker, The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra. Lewis, best known for his small group approach to big band drumming, was one of the first drummers to vary the ride cymbal beat, giving the music a loose and swinging feel. His commanding presence never dominated the spotlight and always stressed the interplay between the band members. Marr Sound Archives Miller Nichols Library University of Missouri, Kansas City "How much you stick in depends on how much you can hear," Lewis explained during a 1989 radio broadcast on the history of jazz drumming, "and if you're really hearing, you'll put in only what's necessary." This multi-part broadcast for New York's 89.9 FM WKCR may be listened to in the Marr Sound Archives upon request. Mel Lewis was the recipient of numerous awards, including fourteen Grammy nominations from the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Lewis authored It's Time for the Big Band Drummer (Kendor Music Co, 1978), a drumming method book, and taught workshops on jazz drumming at William Patterson State College in New Jersey. COLLECTION DESCRIPTION: http://library.umkc.edu/spec-col-collections/lewis-mel The Mel Lewis Collection was donated to the University of Missouri-Kansas City by Doris Sokoloff in 1996. The collection, housed in the Dr. Kenneth J. LaBudde Department of Special Collections, consists of material related to Lewis' life and career from the 1940s to the 1990s. Included are biographical information, correspondence, business records, programs, datebooks, publications, clippings, awards, music scores, and miscellaneous ephemera and memorabilia. Also included are several hundred photographs and sound recordings. Sound recordings are housed in the Marr Sound Archives, the audio division of Special Collections. Much of the audio material can be found in the UMKC Library Catalog using the subject search: Mel Lewis Collection. COLLECTION DETAIL: Date Item or Box#1 Item Number Box #1: 12"; Barcode #040-112546013 Blank Test Pressing ML.NRD12.1 Bill Holman – “Jive for Five” LP; Rex Productions; Side A: Out of This World, Mah Lindy Lou, Liza (21:14) ML.NRD12.2 Side B: The Beat Generation, 502 Blues Theme, Jive For Five (21:52); Acetate/Test Pressing. “From Vienna With Jazz” – Friederich Gulda ML.NRD12.3 XSM 77930; Stereo; Acetate disc. “From Vienna With Jazz” – Friederich Gulda ML.NRD12.4 XSM 77931; Stereo; Acetate disc. Acetate Disc – No information provided; 33 1/3 RPM. ML.NRD12.5 Acetate Disc – No information provided; 33 1/3 RPM. ML.NRD12.6 Note: “No Good.” Acetate Disc – No information provided; 33 1/3 RPM. ML.NRD12.7 Terry Gibbs Big Band Tracklisting: Opus One, Moten’s Swing, I’m Getting Sentimental Over You, ML.NRD12.8 Let’s Dance, Stardust, Cottontail. Acetate disc; 33 1/3 RPM. Terry Gibbs Big Band Tracklisting: Begin the Beguine, Jumpin’ at the Woodside, Prelude to a Kiss, ML.NRD12.9 Don’t Be That Way, Midnite Sun, Flyin’ Home; Acetate disc; 33 1/3 RPM. 3/18/64 Bob Freedman – AMF Music; Acetate Disc; 33 1/3 RPM. ML.NRD12.10 Acetate Disc – No information provided ML.NRD12.11 Marr Sound Archives Miller Nichols Library University of Missouri, Kansas City 915-12 / 87 / Part 1; 915-12 / 10 / Part 2; 78 RPM. Acetate Disc – No information provided; Sides 1 and 2 ML.NRD12.12 Acetate Disc – No information provided; Sides 3 and 4 ML.NRD12.13 1976 A&M Records Test Pressing Matrix No. SP 731/732 ML.NRD12.14 This could be a test pressing of “Mel Lewis and Friends” LP on A&M SP 716 5/2/86 MTX No. STA 865975 A / STA 865976 A Mel Lewis – Specialty Records Test Pressing ML.NRD12.15 Rec. No. 81655 5/2/86 MTX No. STA 865975 A / STA 865976 A Mel Lewis – Specialty Records Test Pressing ML.NRD12.16 Rec. No. 81655 Box #2: 10",8",7" Vinyl; 10" Open Reel; Barcode #040-112546022 “One For Mel” Featuring Mel / Benny Lewes “Theme Song.” Acetate disc. ML.NRD10.17 Unlabeled acetate disc – 2 Sided. Acetate disc. ML.NRD10.18 One-Sided, unlabeled acetate disc. 45 RPM. ML.NRD10.19 Sleeve has one word note: “Jones.” Mel Lewis – “Ooh If You Knew” and “Now That I Need You.” Acetate disc. ML.NRD10.20 Mel Lewis – “Why Fall in Love” and Similar? Acetate disc. ML.NRD10.21 Mel Lewis – “Stella By Starlight” and “Hucklebuck?” Acetate disc. ML.NRD10.22 Lee Roy – “Midnight Festival” and “Creep.” Acetate disc. ML.NRD10.23 8/2/55 “Gone With The Wind” – Stan Kenton ML.NRD8.24 Master No. 20836-3 / Time: 7:21 Side 3 / Side 4 / Big Street? ML.NRD7.25 Bright Eyes ML.NRD7.26 Evil Eyes ML.NRD7.27 6/27/75 Picked up on Friday by Esko Linnavalli in Helsinki; “Greetings and Salutations” (Thad Jones); ML.OR10.28 Sveriges Radios Jazzgrupp; Thad Jones, Mel Lewis, Jon Faddis; Insp. Radiohoset, Stockholm 27/6 1975; 13’35 Stereo. Mel Lewis – Jazz Drums; Show I, Tape I, Side B. ML.OR10.29 Mel Lewis – Jazz Drums; Show I, Tape I, Side A. ML.OR10.30 Mel Lewis – Jazz Drums; Show I, Tape I, Side A. ML.OR10.31 Mel Lewis – Jazz Drums; Show I, Tape II, Side B. ML.OR10.32 Box #3: 10" Open Reel; Barcode #040-112546031 Mel Lewis – Jazz Drums; Show II, Tape I, Side B. ML.OR10.33 Mel Lewis – Jazz Drums; Show II, Tape II, Side A. ML.OR10.34 Mel Lewis – Jazz Drums; Show II, Tape I, Side A. ML.OR10.35 2/21/82 Mel Lewis; Tape 1 ML.OR10.36 2/21/82 Mel Lewis; Tape 2 ML.OR10.37 2/21/82 Mel Lewis; Tape 3 ML.OR10.38 2/21/82 Mel Lewis; Tape 4 ML.OR10.39 Box #4: 7" Open Reel; Barcode #040-112546040 Maynard Ferguson with Mel Lewis; Friday, I & II. Side I: Blue Birdland, Don’t Take Your Love, Simple Life, Funny Valentine, ML.0R7.40 Stillwater Stomp, Geller’s Cellar, Ladybug. Marr Sound Archives Miller Nichols Library University of Missouri, Kansas City Side II: More West, Goodbye Mr. Chips, Little Girl Kimbi, Early Hours, Ain’t Life Grand, Rosebud. Maynard Ferguson with Mel Lewis; Friday, III & IV. Side I: Great Guns, Wailing Boat, Maynard the Fox, Dancing Nitely, Free ML.0R7.2 Lee, Velvet, Everybody Moan. 41 Side II: Stillwater Stomp, Herb’s Dream, Bittersweet, Goodbye Mr. Chips, Simple Life. Maynard Ferguson with Mel Lewis; Saturday, III. Side I: Stand Up and Preach, Velvet, Goodbye Mr. Chips, Dancing Nitely, ML.0R7.3 Ain’t Life Grand. 42 Side II: Don’t Take Your Love, Maynard the Fox. Maynard Ferguson with Mel Lewis; Saturday, V. ML.0R7.4 Side I: Bittersweet, Stillwater Stomp, Wailing Boat. 43 Side II: Ladybug, Button Nose, Stillwater Stomp, Wailing Boat. 10/60 Mulligan Band; Reel #1. ML.0R7.5 Santa Monica Concert. 44 4/62 Terry Gibbs Big Band Client: Mercury Records Studio: Remote at Summit Club ML.0R7.6 Side I: (Stereo EQ Master Copy) 45 Tracklist: Tico Tico (3:03), Big Bad Bob (3:43), The Big Cat (4:24), Soft Eyes (5:10), Billie’s Bounce (3:52).