Oral history interview with Omar Clay.

Title

Oral history interview with Omar Clay.

Author

Clay, Omar

Published by

New York : Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, 1994.

Format

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Status

Displaying all 2 items

Status	Vol/date	Access	Call number	Item location
Status Request appointment Available by appointment at Schomburg Center - Moving Image & Recorded Sound.	Vol/dateDisc 2	AccessUse in library	Call numberSc Visual DVD-1086	Item locationSchomburg Center - Moving Image & Recorded Sound
Status Request appointment Available by appointment at Schomburg Center - Moving Image & Recorded Sound.	Vol/dateDisc 1	AccessUse in library	Call numberSc Visual DVD-1086	Item locationSchomburg Center - Moving Image & Recorded Sound

Details

Additional authors

Description

2 videodiscs (117 min.) : sound, color; 4 3/4 in.

Summary

The oral history interview with Omar Clay begins with his childhood in Steubenville, Ohio, and early exposure to music. Played actively throughout his high school career and continued as a college student at Xavier University in New Orleans. He switched his major from Liberal Arts to Music. Social life in New Orleans. He left Xavier after one year due to lack of funds and joined the Army. This decision was influenced by Curtis Fuller's experience playing music while in the Army. After degree in Michigan established himself in the New York jazz scene. An early associate in New York was Otis (Candy) Finch. Talks at some length about his career in New York and going on the road with various musicians. Played at the Five-Spot with Charles Mingus. Also played with Warren Smith. Speaks of his association with Smith. Began composing and arranging. He was introduced to Sarah Vaughan in New York, auditioned and was hired to go with her to perform in Las Vegas. He played with Sarah Vaughan throughout 1965 touring. He met Louis Armstrong during his association with Vaughan. After parted ways with Sarah Vaughan, taught music in New York, 1967. Discusses with Warren Smith their collaboration with Max Roach and the formation of the percussion ensemble, M'Boom, that included Roy Brooks, Joe Chambers, Waren Smith and Freddie Waits. Talks at length about Drum technique.

Donor/Sponsor

The Louis Armstrong Jazz Oral History Project was funded by the Louis Armstrong Educational Foundation, Inc.

Subject

Genre/Form

Interviews.
Oral histories.

Call number

Sc Visual DVD-1086

Language

English

Terms of use (note)

Permission required to cite, quote and reproduce; contact repository for information.

Biography (note)

Omar Clay (born 1935 in St. Louis) is a jazz drummer. In 1979, he moved to Mill Valley, California, earning a Master's degree in music education from San Francisco State University. Mr. Clay performed or recorded with an illustrious assortment of musicians including John Coltrane, Charles Mingus, Horace Silver, David "Fathead" Newman, Dionne Warwick and Roberta Flack.

Linking entry (note)

Forms part of: Louis Armstrong Jazz Oral History Project.

Author

Clay, Omar, interviewee.

Type of content

two-dimensional moving image

Type of medium

video

Type of carrier

videodisc

Digital file characteristics

video file DVD

Performer

Interviewer, Warren Smith.

Event

Recorded July 28, 1994, at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture.

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Request Access to Schomburg Moving Images and Recorded Sound

Added author

Smith, Warren, interviewer.
Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture.
Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. Louis Armstrong Jazz Oral History Project.

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