Hogan Jazz Archive Oral Histories Collection

Collection

Identifier: HJA-033

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection consists primarily of interviews generated from the Archive's original oral history project, however, some outside interviews of particular topical interest are also included. Many of the original interviews, which were recorded on reel-to-reel tape have since been digitized. Availability of digitized copies of the audio interviews as well as transcripts, digests or notes is noted for each interview.

Dates

1943-2002

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Extent

0.00 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

The Hogan Jazz Archive at Tulane University was established with Ford Foundation funding in 1958 as the Archive of New Orleans Jazz and was posthumously renamed in honor of William Ransom Hogan, the chair of the Department of History who wrote the initial grant proposal. Ford funding enabled an oral history fieldwork project with pioneers of New Orleans jazz under the direction of William Russell, the archive's first curator, and his successor, Richard B. Allen. This generated nearly 2,000 reels of taped interviews with written transcripts, which is the largest collection of jazz oral history extant.

Arrangement Note

The interviews are arranged in alphabetical sequence by surname of interviewee. Most of the interviews have hard copies, ranging from transcripts and digests, to notes. Usually, upon completion of an interview, notes were compiled on persons and bands mentioned during the talk. These notes are rough outlines, of only limited value to the researcher. Digests represent a more coherent, albeit abbreviated version of the interview. All highlights are present, while the casual remarks have been left out. Most of the hard copies available are in the digest format. Transcripts are word-for-word renderings of the interview, allowing a patron to read along as the tape is played.

Related Materials

Jazz National Historic Park Oral History Collection, 1998-2003

http://specialcollections.tulane.edu/archon/index.php?p=collections/controlcard&id=1106