Bill Spilka jazz videorecording collection, 1988-2002

Links

• View catalog record
• View finding aid

Creator

Spilka, Bill.

Location

Rodgers and Hammerstein Archives of Recorded Sound

Extent

• 156 video cassettes : sd., col. ; 1/2 in.

Access Restrictions

Collection is open to the public. Users never directly handle video recordings. Listening selections are transmitted through a playback system.

Scope/Contents Note

This collection contains videotapes of live interviews andperformances of the sidemen and women of the big bands of the 1930's, 40's and 50's. The videos were taped from 1988 to 2002. In addition to performances and interviews, there are videos of events from the New York Brass Conference for Scholarships, lectures from Arnold J. Smith's "Jazz Insights" series at the New School and memorial services for some of the musicians. Performers include Joe Battaglia, Ted Curson, Jim Lowe and Sam Ulano.Lecture topics include Louis Armstrong and Charlie Parker.

Biographical/Historical Notes

Bill Spilka is a professional trombonist, bassist, and jazz researcher. He has played venues ranging from burlesque to the Newport & JVC Festivals. He leads his ownRowdy Rooters, the official band of the New York Rangers. He has also played with musicians such as Benny Goodman and Louis Armstrong.

He joined the photography staff of Metronome magazine in1955, and over the years has done assignments for The New York Times, Life, The New Yorker, Jazz Today, and many others. He is also the official photographer of the New York Brass Conference for Scholarships. He received a JazzFellowship Grant from the National Endowment for the Arts to document on videotape the lives and performances of thesidemen and women who made up the big jazz-oriented dance bands of the "Golden Age" (1935-45).

Controlled Access Terms

• Armstrong, Louis, 1901-1971.
• Parker, Charlie, 1920-1955.
• Jazz.
• Big band music.
• Jazz -- Interviews.
• Jazz musicians -- Interviews.

Additional Creator Names

• Battaglia, Joe. prf
• Curson, Ted. prf
• Lowe, Jim. prf
• Ulano, Sam. prf