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Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture > Video Oral History Gallery Video Gallery Cataloging Data: Phoebe JacobsLocation
Schomburg-MIRS
Call #
Sc Visual VRA-197 Service copy.
Sc Visual VRB-2030 Original of: Sc Visual VRA-197.
Author
Jacobs, Phoebe, interviewee.
Title
Oral history interview with Phoebe Jacobs, 11 September 1996
[videorecording] / interviewer, James Briggs Murray.
Imprint
1996.
Description
1 videocassette (1 hr., 32 min.) : sd., col. ; 1/2 in.
013200
Note
Title supplied; duration: 1 hr., 32 min.
Credits
Produced and directed by James Briggs Murray.
Note
Recorded on September 11, 1996, at the Schomburg Center
for Research in Black Culture, Louis Armstrong Jazz Oral History Project.
Summary
The oral history interview with Phoebe Jacobs briefly documents
her life as a jazz enthusiast, and career as a publicist and
public relations consultant in the world of jazz. Phoebe Jacobs
was born in the Bronx, New York City, June 21, 1918, into a
family of music lovers and musicians. She recalls her first
impressions of jazz and her early exposure to the music through
her family's involvement in clubs. A relative, Ralph Watkins,
introduced her to musicians and helped her land her first paid
jobs in the clubs. One of her first jobs was working for Sy
Oliver in a record company, although the pay was meager she
describes the experiences in these earlier years as intoxicating.
Jacobs describes some of the musicians she worked closely with in
her career: Benny Goodman and his genuine love for the music and
lack of prejudice; Eubie Blake whom she calls the ultimate role
model; Louis Armstrong and his dedication to making people feel
happy, his advocacy of music therapy and music education for the
young (Jacobs helped him establish the Louis Armstrong
educational Foundation and later became it's vice-president);
Ella Fitzgerald and her love of music, performing, baseball, and
her founding of the Society of Singers, Jacobs calls her perhaps
the greatest songstylist and musician. Jacobs elaborates on
working with Sarah Vaughan for two years intermittedly and
describes her as having been an uncomplicated person and
dedicated to her music; on Mercer Ellington and his devotion to
his father, (and compares their styles); on her husband Ian and
how they met; her admiration for Wynton Marsalis and the role
model he is today for young people; Jacob's trip with Lucille
Armstrong after Louis' death to the Soviet Union sponsored by the
Voice of America and the U.S. Dept. of States to broadcast
reminiscenses of Louis; Lil' Hardin and her relationship with
Lucille and Louis Armstrong; on Peggy Lee and her singing style
and Lee's admiration for Ella and Sarah.
Jacobs concludes the interview by saying she feels blessed to
have worked for so many musical geniuses and to have promoted
an appreciation for the music.
Note
Reproduction. Originally produced: New York, N.Y. :Schomburg Center
for Research in Black Culture, The New York Public Library, 1996.
1 videocassette ; 1/2 in. (MII). VHS.
Use terms
Permission required to cite, quote and reproduce; contact
repository for information.
Biography/History
Phoebe Jacobs, jazz enthusiast, led an active career as a
publicist and public relations consultant in the world of jazz.
Born June 21, 1918 in the Bronx, New York, Jacobs grew up in a
family devoted to jazz music. She has worked closely with
numerous prominent jazz figures including Eubie Blake, Louis
Armtrong, and Ella Fitzgerald. She is currently vice-president of
the Louis Armstrong Educational Foundation and continues to
promote the appreciation of jazz music.
Note
In
Subject
Armstrong, Lil Hardin, 1902-1971.
Armstrong, Louis, 1900-1971.
Armstrong, Louis, 1900-1971 -- Influence.
Armstrong, Lucille.
Blake, Eubie, 1883-
Ellington, Duke, 1899-1974.
Ellington, Mercer.
Fitzgerald, Ella.
Goodman, Benny.
Jacobs, Phoebe -- Childhood and youth.
Jacobs, Phoebe -- Friends and associates.
Jacobs, Phoebe -- Interviews.
Lee, Peggy, 1920-
Marsalis, Wynton, 1961-
Oliver, Sy.
Vaughan, Sarah, 1924-
Louis Armstrong Educational Foundation.
Society of Singers.
Voice of America (Organization).
Afro-American composers.
Afro-American musicians.
Afro-American singers.
Jazz -- History.
Jazz musicians.
Music publicity.
Music therapy.
Form/genre
Biographies.
Interviews.
Additional name
Murray, James Briggs, interviewer.
Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. Louis Armstrong
Jazz Oral History Project.
Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture.
Donor
The Louis Amrstrong Jazz Oral History Project was funded by the
Louis Armstrong Educational Foundation, Inc.
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