Maxine Sullivan papers, 1936-1987 (bulk 1970-1987)

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Maxine Sullivan papers, 1936-1987 (bulk 1970-1987)

1936-1987

http://archives.nypl.org/scm/23053

The Maxine Sullivan Papers document her career as a jazz performer and span the years 1936-1990, with the bulk of the material coinciding with her "comeback" period of the early 1970s until her death in 1987. The collection consists largely of holograph arrangements and sheet music, along with song lyrics and song lists for performances filed in the Music series. The breadth of Sullivan's career, professional circle, demand, international renown and fan base is revealed in the Correspondence series which contains letters from her friends, admirers, and professional contacts, and the Printed Matter series which consists of newspaper and magazine clippings, press releases, programs, and posters and flyers advertising performances. Insight into other aspects of Sullivan's life is given through the Personal Papers which document Sullivan's charitable activities and her efforts with The House That Jazz Built community project and also contain biographical information often used to introduce her at performances, ephemera from her personal and professional life, and folders on her children Orville Williams and Paula Morris, and friend Jeni Le Gon, the tap-dancer and actress. The Cliff Jackson series documents the pianist's professional career.

10.34 linear feet (27 boxes, 1 oversize folder)

eng, Latn

Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture.

Information

SNAC Resource ID: 7327034

Related Entities

There are 4 Entities related to this resource.

Le Gon, Jeni, 1916-2002

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6tz450h (person)

Dancer, actress, and dance instructor Jeni LeGon was born Jennie Ligon on August 14, 1916, in Chicago, Illinois. Later, in London, she learned that she was descended from General Henry Beauchamp Lygon, the 4th Earl of Beauchamp, through her father, Hector Ligon, a "Geechie" from the Georgia Sea Islands. LeGon grew up with her older sister Mary Belle in Chicago's overcrowded Black Belt. Practicing and performing with other children, LeGon received her first formal training from Mary Bruce's Schoo...

Sullivan, Maxine, 1911-1987

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w63f4p6q (person)

African-American jazz soloist Maxine Sullivan was known for her cool and arresting "whispering voice," soothing style, gentle rhythmic phrasing, and intricate swing delivery. She became well known in the late 1930s for her swing performance of the Scottish traditional ballad "Loch Lomond." The song became her signature piece and catapulted her career. During this period Sullivan performed as the main act at the Onyx Club on 52nd Street alongside bassist John Kirby and his band. The two married i...

Jackson, Clifford, 1924-1985

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6nc60g2 (person)

House That Jazz Built (Project)

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6xm26n5 (corporateBody)