Research Catalog

Details

Description

1. .2 lin. ft. (1 box)

Summary

1. The Eva Jessye Collection contains clippings, citations, correspondence and programs that document Jessye's professional career and recognition in her field.

Subject

1. Jessye, Eva, 1895-1992
2. Jessye, Eva, 1895-1992 -- Correspondence
3. African American women composers
4. African American women musicians
5. African Americans -- Music
6. Women conductors (Music) -- United States

Call number

1. Sc MG 233

Note

1. Complementary collections: Helen Armstead Johnson Miscellaneous Theater Collection Sc MG 599; Thaddeus Drayton Collection Sc MG 389; Helen Brown Scrapbook Sc MG 520; Negro Actors Guild Records, Sc MG 259; Alice Childress Papers Sc MG 649

Location of other archival materials (note)

1. Eva Jessye Collection University of Michigan at Ann Arbor Pittsburgh State University

Biography (note)

1. Eva Jessye, African American choral director, composer, arranger and music historian was born in Coffeyville, Kansas in 1895. In 1914, she graduated from Western University of Kansas City with a degree in music and then went on to Langston University in Oklahoma. She moved to New York in 1926 and by 1930, Jessye had formed and directed a professional choir. She was the first musical director for the original production of George Gershwin's "Porgy and Bess." Acknowledged as the first African-American woman to win international distinction as a director of a professional choir, Jessye was the recipient of numerous awards and honorary doctoral degrees throughout her life. She died at 97 in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Author

1. Jessye, Eva, 1895-1992.

Title

1. Eva Jessye collection, 1963-1992 (bulk 1973-1992).

Biography

1. Eva Jessye, African American choral director, composer, arranger and music historian was born in Coffeyville, Kansas in 1895. In 1914, she graduated from Western University of Kansas City with a degree in music and then went on to Langston University in Oklahoma. She moved to New York in 1926 and by 1930, Jessye had formed and directed a professional choir. She was the first musical director for the original production of George Gershwin's "Porgy and Bess." Acknowledged as the first African-American woman to win international distinction as a director of a professional choir, Jessye was the recipient of numerous awards and honorary doctoral degrees throughout her life. She died at 97 in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Location of other archival materials

1. Eva Jessye Collection Also located at University of Michigan at Ann Arbor Pittsburgh State University

Connect to:

1. Finding Aid

Local subject

1. Black author.

Research call number

1. Sc MG 233