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Floyd Levin Jazz Reference Collection

Creator:
Garland, Ed  Search this
Armstrong, Louis, 1901-1971  Search this
Morton, Jelly Roll, 1890-1941  Search this
Darensbourg, Joe, 1906-1985  Search this
Davison, Bill  Search this
Blake, Eubie (James Herbert), 1883-1983  Search this
Wilson, Buster  Search this
Ellington, Duke, 1899-1974  Search this
Collector:
Levin, Floyd, 1922-2007  Search this
Donor:
Levin, Lucille  Search this
Extent:
42.5 Cubic feet (110 boxes, 12 oversize folders)
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Newsletters
Posters
Obituaries
Correspondence
Photographs
Advertisements
Ephemera
Concert programs
Clippings
Business cards
Audiocassettes
Signatures (names)
Audiotapes
Interviews
Personal papers
Biography files
Awards
Writings
Date:
1880 - 2010
Summary:
Floyd Levin was a Los Angeles textile manufacturer who turned his passion for jazz into a second career as an influential jazz journalist and historian. The collection consists of research materials including biographical files. In addition, there are numerous photographs that were taken and collected by Levin.
Scope and Contents:
Research materials on jazz, jazz artists, jazz festivals and jazz organizations compiled by Levin over several decades. The richest portion is the series of biographical files on jazz artists, with emphasis on lesser known but influential artists, and includes such things as obituaries, memorial programs, press releases, concert programs, and newsletters. Photographs are also widely found in this series, many of them inscribed to, or taken with Levin and his wife Lucille, as well as posters, recordings, letters and other correspondence, awards and plaques, Levin's writings, business cards, newspaper articles, advertisements, and miscellaneous ephemeral items. Artists who are strongly represented include one-time Ellington Orchestra clarinetist "Barney" (Albany Leon) Bigard, who was a close personal friend of the Levins and whose personal papers are in the collection; Louis Armstrong; "Jelly Roll" (Ferdinand Lemott) Morton; "Wild" Bill Davison; "Duke" (Edward Kennedy) Ellington; Joe Darensbourg; Edward Bertram "Montudie" Garland; "Kid" (Edward) Ory; "Eubie" (James Herbert) Blake; and "Rosy" (James) McHargue.
Arrangement:
The collection is divided into ten series.

Series 1, Personal Papers, 1920-2010, undated

Series 2, Correspondence, 1948-2006, undated

Series 3, Research Materials, 1914-2006, undated

Series 4, Writings, 1949-2006, undated

Series 5, Artists Files, 1880-2010, undated

Subseries 5.1, General Materials, 1880-2010, undated

Subseries 5.2, Obituaries, 1941-2004

Subseries 5.3, Interviews, 1969-2001

Series 6, Subject Files, 1916-2004, undated

Series 7, General Materials, 1908-2006, undated

Series 8, Jazz Organizations and Publications, 1943-2010, undated

Series 9, Photographs, 1939-2001, undated

Series 10, Audiovisual Materials, 1964-1997, undated

Subseries 10.1, Audiocassettes, 1970-1997, undated

Subseries 10.2, Compact Discs, 1966-1994, undated

Subseries 10.3, Sound Tape Reels, 1964-1973, undated
Biographical / Historical:
Floyd Levin (1922 - 2007) was a Los Angeles textile manufacturer who turned his passion for jazz into a second, contemporaneous, career as an influential jazz journalist and historian. His numerous reviews, profiles, and articles were published in magazines such as Down Beat, Jazz Journal International, Metronome, and American Rag. He also authored Classic Jazz: A Personal View of the Music and the Musicians (University of California Press, 2000), which –like his articles – chronicled his first-hand encounters with countless jazz musicians. In 1949, he co-founded the Southern California Hot Jazz Society, the second-oldest jazz appreciation club in the country. Levin led the drive to create the Louis Armstrong Park and statue in New Orleans in the 1970s. During his career, he conducted scores of oral history interviews with jazz musicians, which he donated to NMAH and to Tulane University's jazz archive. He received several awards for his work, including the Leonard Feather Communicator Award, given annually by the Los Angeles Jazz Society. Levin died in 2007.
Provenance:
Donated to the Archives Center in 2011 by Floyd Levin's widow, Lucille Levin.
Restrictions:
The collection is open for research. Only reference copies of audiovisual materials may be used.
Rights:
Reproduction restricted due to copyright or trademark. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Topic:
Jazz  Search this
Jazz musicians  Search this
Genre/Form:
Newsletters -- 20th century
Posters -- 20th century
Obituaries
Correspondence -- 20th century
Photographs -- 20th century
Advertisements -- 20th century
Ephemera -- 20th century
Concert programs -- 20th century
Clippings
Business cards
Audiocassettes
Signatures (names)
Audiotapes
Interviews
Personal papers -- 20th century
Biography files
Awards
Writings
Citation:
Floyd Levin Jazz Reference Collection, 1880-2010, Archives Center, National Museum of American History
Identifier:
NMAH.AC.1222
See more items in:
Floyd Levin Jazz Reference Collection
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep8cff04d70-8d1e-4159-93fb-10a7bca49f70
EDAN-URL:
ead_collection:sova-nmah-ac-1222
Online Media:

Noone, Jimmy (Jr.) and Jimmie Noone (Sr.)

Collection Creator:
Garland, Ed  Search this
Armstrong, Louis, 1901-1971  Search this
Morton, Jelly Roll, 1890-1941  Search this
Darensbourg, Joe, 1906-1985  Search this
Davison, Bill  Search this
Blake, Eubie (James Herbert), 1883-1983  Search this
Wilson, Buster  Search this
Ellington, Duke, 1899-1974  Search this
Collection Collector:
Levin, Floyd, 1922-2007  Search this
Collection Donor:
Levin, Lucille  Search this
Container:
Box 52, Folder 14
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1985 - 1986
1895 - 1944
Collection Restrictions:
The collection is open for research. Only reference copies of audiovisual materials may be used.
Collection Rights:
Reproduction restricted due to copyright or trademark. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Floyd Levin Jazz Reference Collection, 1880-2010, Archives Center, National Museum of American History
See more items in:
Floyd Levin Jazz Reference Collection
Floyd Levin Jazz Reference Collection / Series 5: Artists Files / 5.1: General Materials
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep81a56f8b6-3e6a-422c-b3b4-bc864d60dcee
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-1222-ref1093

Original So Different Orchestra

Collection Creator:
Garland, Ed  Search this
Armstrong, Louis, 1901-1971  Search this
Morton, Jelly Roll, 1890-1941  Search this
Darensbourg, Joe, 1906-1985  Search this
Davison, Bill  Search this
Blake, Eubie (James Herbert), 1883-1983  Search this
Wilson, Buster  Search this
Ellington, Duke, 1899-1974  Search this
Collection Collector:
Levin, Floyd, 1922-2007  Search this
Collection Donor:
Levin, Lucille  Search this
Container:
Box 52, Folder 30
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1915
Collection Restrictions:
The collection is open for research. Only reference copies of audiovisual materials may be used.
Collection Rights:
Reproduction restricted due to copyright or trademark. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Floyd Levin Jazz Reference Collection, 1880-2010, Archives Center, National Museum of American History
See more items in:
Floyd Levin Jazz Reference Collection
Floyd Levin Jazz Reference Collection / Series 5: Artists Files / 5.1: General Materials
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep863de2166-c471-448a-b069-14fb1ca82b07
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-1222-ref1109

Ory, "Kid" (Edward)

Collection Creator:
Garland, Ed  Search this
Armstrong, Louis, 1901-1971  Search this
Morton, Jelly Roll, 1890-1941  Search this
Darensbourg, Joe, 1906-1985  Search this
Davison, Bill  Search this
Blake, Eubie (James Herbert), 1883-1983  Search this
Wilson, Buster  Search this
Ellington, Duke, 1899-1974  Search this
Collection Collector:
Levin, Floyd, 1922-2007  Search this
Collection Donor:
Levin, Lucille  Search this
Container:
Box 52, Folder 31
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1919 - 1947
Collection Restrictions:
The collection is open for research. Only reference copies of audiovisual materials may be used.
Collection Rights:
Reproduction restricted due to copyright or trademark. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Floyd Levin Jazz Reference Collection, 1880-2010, Archives Center, National Museum of American History
See more items in:
Floyd Levin Jazz Reference Collection
Floyd Levin Jazz Reference Collection / Series 5: Artists Files / 5.1: General Materials
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep89e12494e-41f8-4631-b917-44e0715310d6
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-1222-ref1110

Artists Files

Collection Creator:
Garland, Ed  Search this
Armstrong, Louis, 1901-1971  Search this
Morton, Jelly Roll, 1890-1941  Search this
Darensbourg, Joe, 1906-1985  Search this
Davison, Bill  Search this
Blake, Eubie (James Herbert), 1883-1983  Search this
Wilson, Buster  Search this
Ellington, Duke, 1899-1974  Search this
Collection Collector:
Levin, Floyd, 1922-2007  Search this
Collection Donor:
Levin, Lucille  Search this
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1880 - 2010
undated
Scope and Content Note:
This series is the largest, and most significant, series within the collection. It is divided into three subseries: 5.1, General Materials, 1880-2010, undated; 5.2, Obituaries, 1941-2004; and 5.3, Interviews, 1969-2001, which make up the bulk of Floyd Levin's extensive collection related to individual jazz artists, though more materials related to any given artist may be found dispersed through the collection's other series. This series contains a large number of photographs, both taken by and acquired by Floyd Levin, newspaper articles, oral history transcripts, personal and professional correspondence, personal papers, and other ephemera related to jazz artists both obscure and internationally recognized. The collection documents other closely related musical genres including blues, and swing. Subseries 5.1, General Materials, 1880-2010, undated, is arranged alphabetically by the name of the artist as created and maintained by Levin. Subseries 5.2, Obituaries, 1941-2004, is arranged in the chronological order that Levin created and includes material written by him and other renowned jazz experts for mainstream and general publications. Subseries 5.3, Interviews, 1969-2001, is arranged in alphabetical order by the name of the artist.
Collection Restrictions:
The collection is open for research. Only reference copies of audiovisual materials may be used.
Collection Rights:
Reproduction restricted due to copyright or trademark. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Floyd Levin Jazz Reference Collection, 1880-2010, Archives Center, National Museum of American History
Identifier:
NMAH.AC.1222, Series 5
See more items in:
Floyd Levin Jazz Reference Collection
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep87e8a8e20-1ec6-432e-bbba-b1b155f16ef7
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-1222-ref12

Spikes Brothers (Reb and Johnny)

Collection Creator:
Garland, Ed  Search this
Armstrong, Louis, 1901-1971  Search this
Morton, Jelly Roll, 1890-1941  Search this
Darensbourg, Joe, 1906-1985  Search this
Davison, Bill  Search this
Blake, Eubie (James Herbert), 1883-1983  Search this
Wilson, Buster  Search this
Ellington, Duke, 1899-1974  Search this
Collection Collector:
Levin, Floyd, 1922-2007  Search this
Collection Donor:
Levin, Lucille  Search this
Container:
Box 58, Folder 14
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1915 - 1976
Collection Restrictions:
The collection is open for research. Only reference copies of audiovisual materials may be used.
Collection Rights:
Reproduction restricted due to copyright or trademark. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Floyd Levin Jazz Reference Collection, 1880-2010, Archives Center, National Museum of American History
See more items in:
Floyd Levin Jazz Reference Collection
Floyd Levin Jazz Reference Collection / Series 5: Artists Files / 5.1: General Materials
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep8d0f4ccda-0cf3-4f3b-898d-75c5120a1ab7
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-1222-ref1284

Subject Files

Collection Creator:
Garland, Ed  Search this
Armstrong, Louis, 1901-1971  Search this
Morton, Jelly Roll, 1890-1941  Search this
Darensbourg, Joe, 1906-1985  Search this
Davison, Bill  Search this
Blake, Eubie (James Herbert), 1883-1983  Search this
Wilson, Buster  Search this
Ellington, Duke, 1899-1974  Search this
Collection Collector:
Levin, Floyd, 1922-2007  Search this
Collection Donor:
Levin, Lucille  Search this
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1916 - 2004
undated
Scope and Content Note:
Contains photographic prints, negatives, slides, newspaper articles, marketing materials, correspondence and personal notes on such disparate topics related to jazz and jazz history as the Palomar Ballroom Fire, jazz museums across the country, the 1976 "A Night in New Orleans" concert series that Levin co-produced, and numerous articles written by jazz critic and book reviewer, Whitney Balliett. Other materials included in this subseries relate to other jazz clubs and venues, the history of jazz in particular cities, photographs by notable jazz photographers, and some limited information on the history of women in jazz. Some photographs and other materials unrelated to jazz, jazz artists or jazz history are also found in this subseries, including information on Pablo Picasso and Ernest Hemingway. This subseries is arranged alphabetically by title.
Collection Restrictions:
The collection is open for research. Only reference copies of audiovisual materials may be used.
Collection Rights:
Reproduction restricted due to copyright or trademark. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Floyd Levin Jazz Reference Collection, 1880-2010, Archives Center, National Museum of American History
Identifier:
NMAH.AC.1222, Series 6
See more items in:
Floyd Levin Jazz Reference Collection
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep81bbd200f-18a0-4e2b-959e-6ed860432494
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-1222-ref13

New Orleans, Photographs

Collection Creator:
Garland, Ed  Search this
Armstrong, Louis, 1901-1971  Search this
Morton, Jelly Roll, 1890-1941  Search this
Darensbourg, Joe, 1906-1985  Search this
Davison, Bill  Search this
Blake, Eubie (James Herbert), 1883-1983  Search this
Wilson, Buster  Search this
Ellington, Duke, 1899-1974  Search this
Collection Collector:
Levin, Floyd, 1922-2007  Search this
Collection Donor:
Levin, Lucille  Search this
Container:
Box 68, Folder 1
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1916 - 1983
Collection Restrictions:
The collection is open for research. Only reference copies of audiovisual materials may be used.
Collection Rights:
Reproduction restricted due to copyright or trademark. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Floyd Levin Jazz Reference Collection, 1880-2010, Archives Center, National Museum of American History
See more items in:
Floyd Levin Jazz Reference Collection
Floyd Levin Jazz Reference Collection / Series 6: Subject Files
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep86bd54b91-5473-467b-9311-28c6fb59bcad
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-1222-ref1495

Los Angeles Jazz History

Collection Creator:
Garland, Ed  Search this
Armstrong, Louis, 1901-1971  Search this
Morton, Jelly Roll, 1890-1941  Search this
Darensbourg, Joe, 1906-1985  Search this
Davison, Bill  Search this
Blake, Eubie (James Herbert), 1883-1983  Search this
Wilson, Buster  Search this
Ellington, Duke, 1899-1974  Search this
Collection Collector:
Levin, Floyd, 1922-2007  Search this
Collection Donor:
Levin, Lucille  Search this
Container:
Box 67, Folder 4
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1914 - 1999
undated
Collection Restrictions:
The collection is open for research. Only reference copies of audiovisual materials may be used.
Collection Rights:
Reproduction restricted due to copyright or trademark. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Floyd Levin Jazz Reference Collection, 1880-2010, Archives Center, National Museum of American History
See more items in:
Floyd Levin Jazz Reference Collection
Floyd Levin Jazz Reference Collection / Series 6: Subject Files
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep8e42d72c3-6920-461d-871f-d3817f992f53
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-1222-ref1497

Victor Talking Machine Company

Collection Creator:
Garland, Ed  Search this
Armstrong, Louis, 1901-1971  Search this
Morton, Jelly Roll, 1890-1941  Search this
Darensbourg, Joe, 1906-1985  Search this
Davison, Bill  Search this
Blake, Eubie (James Herbert), 1883-1983  Search this
Wilson, Buster  Search this
Ellington, Duke, 1899-1974  Search this
Collection Collector:
Levin, Floyd, 1922-2007  Search this
Collection Donor:
Levin, Lucille  Search this
Container:
Box 81, Folder 22
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1908 - 1950
Collection Restrictions:
The collection is open for research. Only reference copies of audiovisual materials may be used.
Collection Rights:
Reproduction restricted due to copyright or trademark. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Floyd Levin Jazz Reference Collection, 1880-2010, Archives Center, National Museum of American History
See more items in:
Floyd Levin Jazz Reference Collection
Floyd Levin Jazz Reference Collection / Series 7: General Materials / 7.5: Record Producers and Distributors
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep8fdadb77c-c9e2-45c7-bb48-bcdfbdffec4c
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-1222-ref1647

General Materials

Collection Creator:
Garland, Ed  Search this
Armstrong, Louis, 1901-1971  Search this
Morton, Jelly Roll, 1890-1941  Search this
Darensbourg, Joe, 1906-1985  Search this
Davison, Bill  Search this
Blake, Eubie (James Herbert), 1883-1983  Search this
Wilson, Buster  Search this
Ellington, Duke, 1899-1974  Search this
Collection Collector:
Levin, Floyd, 1922-2007  Search this
Collection Donor:
Levin, Lucille  Search this
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1908 - 2006
undated
Scope and Content Note:
The second largest series within the collection and relates to jazz music, jazz festivals and performances, recording studios and producers, and, to a lesser extent, jazz artists. Subseries 1, Business Cards, undated, contains the business cards of jazz artists, producers, critics, jazz club and foundation presidents as well as the cards of personal contacts that Levin acquired over decades in the field. Subseries 2, Ephemera, 1949-2002, undated, contains marketing materials and ephemera that Levin received in the mail as well as at events that he attended. Subseries 3, Fake Book, undated, contains an over 5,000 page book of jazz compositions collected by Charles B. Anderson and given to Floyd Levin. Subseries 4, Jazz Festival and Performance Programs and Posters, 1949-2006, undated, consists of the programs and posters collected by Levin at the numerous concerts he attended, and Subseries 5, Record Producers and Distributors, 1908-1995, undated, documents individuals who worked as producers, as well as for-profit and nonprofit record labels.
Collection Restrictions:
The collection is open for research. Only reference copies of audiovisual materials may be used.
Collection Rights:
Reproduction restricted due to copyright or trademark. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Floyd Levin Jazz Reference Collection, 1880-2010, Archives Center, National Museum of American History
Identifier:
NMAH.AC.1222, Series 7
See more items in:
Floyd Levin Jazz Reference Collection
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep8f01e8157-e545-4eb7-b2d0-ea180e92909b
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-1222-ref17

Map of Chicago Jazz Spots

Collection Creator:
Garland, Ed  Search this
Armstrong, Louis, 1901-1971  Search this
Morton, Jelly Roll, 1890-1941  Search this
Darensbourg, Joe, 1906-1985  Search this
Davison, Bill  Search this
Blake, Eubie (James Herbert), 1883-1983  Search this
Wilson, Buster  Search this
Ellington, Duke, 1899-1974  Search this
Collection Collector:
Levin, Floyd, 1922-2007  Search this
Collection Donor:
Levin, Lucille  Search this
Container:
Box 97, Folder 5
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1914 - 1928
Collection Restrictions:
The collection is open for research. Only reference copies of audiovisual materials may be used.
Collection Rights:
Reproduction restricted due to copyright or trademark. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Floyd Levin Jazz Reference Collection, 1880-2010, Archives Center, National Museum of American History
See more items in:
Floyd Levin Jazz Reference Collection
Floyd Levin Jazz Reference Collection / Series 3: Research Materials
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep881be7a0a-4e28-4b13-aee6-b9994ada6090
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-1222-ref1964

Research Materials

Collection Creator:
Garland, Ed  Search this
Armstrong, Louis, 1901-1971  Search this
Morton, Jelly Roll, 1890-1941  Search this
Darensbourg, Joe, 1906-1985  Search this
Davison, Bill  Search this
Blake, Eubie (James Herbert), 1883-1983  Search this
Wilson, Buster  Search this
Ellington, Duke, 1899-1974  Search this
Collection Collector:
Levin, Floyd, 1922-2007  Search this
Collection Donor:
Levin, Lucille  Search this
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
undated
1914 - 2006
Scope and Content Note:
Contains materials collected by Levin for the purpose of writing his many articles; festival, concert, CD, book and record reviews and his publication, Classic Jazz: A Personal View of the Music and the Musicians. The materials consist mainly of articles and newspaper clippings, as well as personal handwritten notes and e-mail correspondence with other jazz historians. Book manuscripts and lecture notes are also found within this series. While the materials mostly relate to jazz and jazz musicians, there are some miscellaneous articles on such diverse subjects as model trains, radio programming, and the Bosendorfer Piano. The materials are arranged in chronological order.
Collection Restrictions:
The collection is open for research. Only reference copies of audiovisual materials may be used.
Collection Rights:
Reproduction restricted due to copyright or trademark. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Floyd Levin Jazz Reference Collection, 1880-2010, Archives Center, National Museum of American History
Identifier:
NMAH.AC.1222, Series 3
See more items in:
Floyd Levin Jazz Reference Collection
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep8985e54ed-454b-4ba9-95db-04e65f1bfca6
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-1222-ref21

General Materials

Collection Creator:
Garland, Ed  Search this
Armstrong, Louis, 1901-1971  Search this
Morton, Jelly Roll, 1890-1941  Search this
Darensbourg, Joe, 1906-1985  Search this
Davison, Bill  Search this
Blake, Eubie (James Herbert), 1883-1983  Search this
Wilson, Buster  Search this
Ellington, Duke, 1899-1974  Search this
Collection Collector:
Levin, Floyd, 1922-2007  Search this
Collection Donor:
Levin, Lucille  Search this
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1880 - 2010
undated
Scope and Content Note:
This subseries is the single largest portion of the collection. While the majority of these materials consist of photographs, (many inscribed to or taken with Floyd and Lucille Levin), newspaper articles, reviews, concert programs, and other materials useful for research are also within this subseries. There are general marketing materials; photographic negatives, slides and transparencies; correspondence of all kinds; biographical accounts and even personal documents such as copies of birth and death certificates of jazz artists. Other ephemera, some of which is three-dimensional, includes photocopies of record covers, memorabilia from jazz concerts and events, and the personal belongings of such legendary artists as "Barney" (Albany Leon) Bigard, Louis Armstrong and "Duke" (Edward Kennedy) Ellington.

This subseries also reflects the longstanding personal relationships Floyd Levin formed with many of the artists found in the collection, among them, "Barney" (Albany Leon) Bigard; Louis Armstrong; Joe Darensbourg; "Wild" Bill Davis and his wife, Anne Stewart Davis; "Montudie" (Edward Bertram) Garland and "Rosy" (James) McHargue. Personal correspondence, photographs and ephemera from private events demonstrate the dynamic social activities the Levins enjoyed within the jazz scene. Those artists with whom Levin was personally acquainted are also some of the best represented within this series, along with other notable jazz musicians and composers such as "Jelly Roll" (Ferdinand Lemott) Morton, Milt Hinton, and "Duke" (Edward Kennedy) Ellington. While Levin's collection is also remarkable in that it documents lesser-known jazz artists, particularly in and around California, it suffers from a significant lack of information on female jazz musicians. Materials on such influential artists as Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Dinah Washington, and Bessie Smith, among others, are much more limited.

This subseries is arranged alphabetically by artist or band name, followed by a collection of photographs of artists for which Levin had minimal materials, arranged by the first letter of their last name or band name. Following these are photographs and negatives of unidentified artists, and photographs and slides which feature multiple musicians.
Collection Restrictions:
The collection is open for research. Only reference copies of audiovisual materials may be used.
Collection Rights:
Reproduction restricted due to copyright or trademark. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Floyd Levin Jazz Reference Collection, 1880-2010, Archives Center, National Museum of American History
Identifier:
NMAH.AC.1222, Subseries 5.1
See more items in:
Floyd Levin Jazz Reference Collection
Floyd Levin Jazz Reference Collection / Series 5: Artists Files
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep82bb2c3f2-f5eb-443a-88d9-e6b8d90dedc4
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-1222-ref22

Armstrong, Louis, Copy of Baptismal Certificate

Collection Creator:
Garland, Ed  Search this
Armstrong, Louis, 1901-1971  Search this
Morton, Jelly Roll, 1890-1941  Search this
Darensbourg, Joe, 1906-1985  Search this
Davison, Bill  Search this
Blake, Eubie (James Herbert), 1883-1983  Search this
Wilson, Buster  Search this
Ellington, Duke, 1899-1974  Search this
Collection Collector:
Levin, Floyd, 1922-2007  Search this
Collection Donor:
Levin, Lucille  Search this
Container:
Box 13, Folder 12
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1901 - 1966
Collection Restrictions:
The collection is open for research. Only reference copies of audiovisual materials may be used.
Collection Rights:
Reproduction restricted due to copyright or trademark. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Floyd Levin Jazz Reference Collection, 1880-2010, Archives Center, National Museum of American History
See more items in:
Floyd Levin Jazz Reference Collection
Floyd Levin Jazz Reference Collection / Series 5: Artists Files / 5.1: General Materials
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep8bc15d0c7-f77a-4f68-84a2-dd62586b9d69
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-1222-ref226

Armstrong, Louis, Photographs

Collection Creator:
Garland, Ed  Search this
Armstrong, Louis, 1901-1971  Search this
Morton, Jelly Roll, 1890-1941  Search this
Darensbourg, Joe, 1906-1985  Search this
Davison, Bill  Search this
Blake, Eubie (James Herbert), 1883-1983  Search this
Wilson, Buster  Search this
Ellington, Duke, 1899-1974  Search this
Collection Collector:
Levin, Floyd, 1922-2007  Search this
Collection Donor:
Levin, Lucille  Search this
Container:
Box 13, Folder 13
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1913 - 1918
Collection Restrictions:
The collection is open for research. Only reference copies of audiovisual materials may be used.
Collection Rights:
Reproduction restricted due to copyright or trademark. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Floyd Levin Jazz Reference Collection, 1880-2010, Archives Center, National Museum of American History
See more items in:
Floyd Levin Jazz Reference Collection
Floyd Levin Jazz Reference Collection / Series 5: Artists Files / 5.1: General Materials
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep84a9140c1-5910-45bd-b088-3c829729f2d4
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-1222-ref227

Record Producers and Distributors

Collection Creator:
Garland, Ed  Search this
Armstrong, Louis, 1901-1971  Search this
Morton, Jelly Roll, 1890-1941  Search this
Darensbourg, Joe, 1906-1985  Search this
Davison, Bill  Search this
Blake, Eubie (James Herbert), 1883-1983  Search this
Wilson, Buster  Search this
Ellington, Duke, 1899-1974  Search this
Collection Collector:
Levin, Floyd, 1922-2007  Search this
Collection Donor:
Levin, Lucille  Search this
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1908 - 1995
undated
Scope and Content Note:
Contains catalogs and other marketing materials of record labels and distributors of various significance, as well as photographs, correspondence, and newspaper articles relating to individuals, such as Milt Gabler, who worked as producers. Featured record labels within this subseries are Decca Records, Gennett Records, Folkways Records, Library of Congress, and Smithsonian Recordings. This series is arranged alphabetically; better known labels are organized individually, while lesser known corporations are grouped together by letter.
Collection Restrictions:
The collection is open for research. Only reference copies of audiovisual materials may be used.
Collection Rights:
Reproduction restricted due to copyright or trademark. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Floyd Levin Jazz Reference Collection, 1880-2010, Archives Center, National Museum of American History
Identifier:
NMAH.AC.1222, Subseries 7.5
See more items in:
Floyd Levin Jazz Reference Collection
Floyd Levin Jazz Reference Collection / Series 7: General Materials
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep86b52b940-5595-4fa0-b0f4-dfe25bbbb0a0
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-1222-ref30

Davison, Anne Stewart

Collection Creator:
Garland, Ed  Search this
Armstrong, Louis, 1901-1971  Search this
Morton, Jelly Roll, 1890-1941  Search this
Darensbourg, Joe, 1906-1985  Search this
Davison, Bill  Search this
Blake, Eubie (James Herbert), 1883-1983  Search this
Wilson, Buster  Search this
Ellington, Duke, 1899-1974  Search this
Collection Collector:
Levin, Floyd, 1922-2007  Search this
Collection Donor:
Levin, Lucille  Search this
Container:
Box 31, Folder 14
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1914 - 1960
Collection Restrictions:
The collection is open for research. Only reference copies of audiovisual materials may be used.
Collection Rights:
Reproduction restricted due to copyright or trademark. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Floyd Levin Jazz Reference Collection, 1880-2010, Archives Center, National Museum of American History
See more items in:
Floyd Levin Jazz Reference Collection
Floyd Levin Jazz Reference Collection / Series 5: Artists Files / 5.1: General Materials
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep81fc0740c-baff-4bbe-b09f-36eaafd9577e
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-1222-ref566

Davison, Anne Stewart, Photographs

Collection Creator:
Garland, Ed  Search this
Armstrong, Louis, 1901-1971  Search this
Morton, Jelly Roll, 1890-1941  Search this
Darensbourg, Joe, 1906-1985  Search this
Davison, Bill  Search this
Blake, Eubie (James Herbert), 1883-1983  Search this
Wilson, Buster  Search this
Ellington, Duke, 1899-1974  Search this
Collection Collector:
Levin, Floyd, 1922-2007  Search this
Collection Donor:
Levin, Lucille  Search this
Container:
Box 32, Folder 1
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1914 - 2001
Collection Restrictions:
The collection is open for research. Only reference copies of audiovisual materials may be used.
Collection Rights:
Reproduction restricted due to copyright or trademark. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Floyd Levin Jazz Reference Collection, 1880-2010, Archives Center, National Museum of American History
See more items in:
Floyd Levin Jazz Reference Collection
Floyd Levin Jazz Reference Collection / Series 5: Artists Files / 5.1: General Materials
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep85cb303d1-d236-4f32-abaf-3f0377905b78
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-1222-ref567

Garland, "Montudie" (Edward Bertram), Photographs

Collection Creator:
Garland, Ed  Search this
Armstrong, Louis, 1901-1971  Search this
Morton, Jelly Roll, 1890-1941  Search this
Darensbourg, Joe, 1906-1985  Search this
Davison, Bill  Search this
Blake, Eubie (James Herbert), 1883-1983  Search this
Wilson, Buster  Search this
Ellington, Duke, 1899-1974  Search this
Collection Collector:
Levin, Floyd, 1922-2007  Search this
Collection Donor:
Levin, Lucille  Search this
Container:
Box 40, Folder 5
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1880 - 1949
Collection Restrictions:
The collection is open for research. Only reference copies of audiovisual materials may be used.
Collection Rights:
Reproduction restricted due to copyright or trademark. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Floyd Levin Jazz Reference Collection, 1880-2010, Archives Center, National Museum of American History
See more items in:
Floyd Levin Jazz Reference Collection
Floyd Levin Jazz Reference Collection / Series 5: Artists Files / 5.1: General Materials
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep8a3f0199b-becf-4451-8d0d-a35eb5a74cdb
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-1222-ref709

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