Research Catalog

Title

Bob Howard papers, 1927-1986.

Author

Howard, Bob, 1906-

Items in the Library & Off-site

Details

Additional Authors

Joyner, Ruth A.

Description

2 lin. ft.

Summary

The Bob Howard Papers consist of numerous programs for dinner engagements, benefits and other performances, three scrapbooks of news clippings, and lyrics, musical scores and arrangements by Howard and his wife, Ruth (Joyner) Howard. Other material includes biographical information, correspondence, contracts and correspondence with his agent, broadsides, handouts and announcements, notices in guidebooks and magazines, feature stories in magazines and miscellaneous radio, television and performance material.

Donor/Sponsor

Schomburg NEH Automated Access to Special Collections Project.

Subjects

• African Americans in television broadcasting > New York (State) > New York
• Howard, Bob, 1906-
• Pianists > New York (State) > New York
• Comedians > New York (State) > New York
• African Americans in the performing arts > New York (State) > New York
• African American musicians > New York (State) > New York
• African Americans > Music
• Jazz musicians > New York (State) > New York
• Piano music
• Revues > History and criticism
• African Americans in radio broadcasting > New York (State) > New York

Note

• Photographs transferred to Photographs and Prints Division.
• Artwork, stamps and ashtray transferred to Art and Artifacts Division .
• Films records and audiotapes transferred to Moving Image and Recorded Sound Division.

Source (note)

• Blish, Sylvia and Smith, Veora Joyner

Biography (note)

• Bob Howard, pianist, comedian, actor of the Broadway stage and on his own radio show, was the first African American performer to have a regularly scheduled television program. Born in West Newton, Massachusetts as Howard Joyner, he attended and dropped out of Howard University Medical School and later enrolled in the New England Conservatory of Music. During his early years in vaudeville he was the piano playing member of Joyner and Hopkins (Morris Hopkins was a dancer).

Processing Action (note)

• Accessioned
• Cataloged

Call Number

Sc MG 328

OCLC

NYPW088000024-A

Author

Howard, Bob, 1906-

Title

Bob Howard papers, 1927-1986.

Biography

Bob Howard, pianist, comedian, actor of the Broadway stage and on his own radio show, was the first African American performer to have a regularly scheduled television program. Born in West Newton, Massachusetts as Howard Joyner, he attended and dropped out of Howard University Medical School and later enrolled in the New England Conservatory of Music. During his early years in vaudeville he was the piano playing member of Joyner and Hopkins (Morris Hopkins was a dancer).

In 1943 Howard appeared on Broadway in "Early to Bed." He also worked in radio from 1938 to 1975, with his own programs on WEAF, WCBS and WHN. He was the first black performer on television, with his own 15 minute show on CBS from July 1948 to December 1951. His film credits include "Howard's House Party," "Junction 88," and "Stars on Parade." Howard's career took him to Europe, Japan and across the United States. He continued playing the piano and singing at various nightclubs and restaurants until his death in 1986.

Connect to:

Finding Aid

Added Author

Joyner, Ruth A.

Research Call Number

Sc MG 328