Al Grey and Rosalie Soladar papers, 1925-2009

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Grey, Al; Soladar, Rosalie
Title
Al Grey and Rosalie Soladar papers
Dates
1925-2009 (inclusive)
Quantity
85.2 cubic feet
Collection Number
IJC MG 003
Summary
Al Grey was a jazz trombonist and bandleader. Rosalie Soladar was his companion and personal manager. Materials in this collection span most of Grey's career after their partnership. The collection includes contracts and schedules of Al Grey's engagements, correspondence, arrangements, clothing, artifacts and ephemera, audiotape master recordings, and a trombone.
Repository
University of Idaho Library, Special Collections and Archives
Special Collections and Archives
University of Idaho Library
875 Perimeter Drive
MS 2350
Moscow, ID
83844-2350
Telephone: 2088850845
libspec@uidaho.edu
Access Restrictions

The collection is open to the public. Researchers must use the collection in accordance with the policies of the University of Idaho Special Collections and Archives.

Languages

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

Albert Thornton Grey was born in Aldie, Virginia on June 6, 1925 to Richard Edward Grey and Lucy Anna Grey. As a boy Al Grey played the baritone horn at the Goodwill Boys Band of Pottstown, Pennsylvania, led by his father. Al Grey joined the Navy in 1942 at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center. Previous to 1942, African Americans served in the Navy only as mess attendants and stewards. Due to a manpower shortage and discrimination during World War II, however, African Americans were recruited as musicians. Some professionals became part of the three resident bands at Great Lakes; others went through basic training and were dispatched to bases across the country in bands composed of twenty-five members. Al Grey was sent to Grosse Isle Naval Air Station in Grosse Point, Michigan. These bands gained fame as "Ambassadors of Goodwill," in that they helped to break down racial barriers.

Al Grey worked with the orchestras of Benny Carter (1945-1946), Jimmie Lunceford (1946-1947), Lucky Millinder, Lionel Hampton (on and off between 1948 and 1953), and Dizzy Gillespie (1956-1957). Grey gained fame as a member of Count Basie's orchestra, with whom he worked on three separate occasions (1957-1961, 1964-1966, and 1971-1977). Grey led a band with Billy Mitchell in the early 1960s and another with Jimmy Forrest after leaving Basie's orchestra in 1977. In the later decades of his career, Grey became a regular attraction on the international festival circuit as part of All-Star ensembles that included musicians such as Buddy Tate, Harry Edison and Benny Carter. He also performed as a soloist and leader of his own bands, some of which included his son, Mike Grey, also a trombonist.

Al Grey was best known for his unique plunger mute style. To educate future generations about the plunger technique, Al Grey co-wrote with Mike Grey a manual on the subject entitled, Plunger Techniques: The Al Grey Plunger Method for Trombone and Trumpet (New York, c1987). Al Grey died in Phoenix, Arizona, on March 24, 2000.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The materials in the Al Grey and Rosalie Soladar papers span the years circa 1925–2009, with the bulk of the materials dating 1989–2000.

Materials in this collection represent most of Al Grey's career after his partnership with Rosalie Soladar, his companion and personal manager.

Other Descriptive InformationReturn to Top

This manuscript group is part of the International Jazz Collections (IJC).

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Alternative Forms Available

Some of the materials in this collection have been digitized and made into the The Al Grey and Rosalie Soladar Memorial Collection.

Restrictions on Use

Consult Head of Special Collections and Archives on permissions for use.

Preferred Citation

Photographer, "Title," date. Collection name, object ID. University of Idaho Library Special Collections and Archives, Moscow, ID.

Author, Description or "Title" of item, date. Collection name, collection number, box, folder. University of Idaho Library Special Collections and Archives, Moscow, ID.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

The arrangement of this collection was created during processing. The collection is organized into thirteen series: 1. Professional Papers; 2. Al Grey's Personal Papers; 3. Rosalie Soladar's Personal Papers; 4. Correspondence; 5. Photographs; 6. Arrangements; 7. Plaques and Awards; 8. Video and Sound Recordings; 9. Clothing and Accessories; 10. Musical Instruments and Accessories; 11. Richard E. Grey Band's Library; 12. Ephemera; 13. Artifacts

Location of Collection

Special Collections and Archives of the University of Idaho Library and at the Student Union Building. Forty-eight hours advance notice is required to access artifacts housed offsite.

Acquisition Information

Gift, Ms. Rosalie Soladar, 2002.

Gift, Ms. Ailene Channing Soladar, 2009.

Processing Note

Books, CDs, and LPs are shelved separately.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

I:  Professional PapersReturn to Top

3.0 cubic feet

The professional papers of Al Grey span the years 1977 to 2009 with a few papers from 1967-1968. The bulk of the materials cover the years 1989 to 2000, during which time Rosalie Soladar was his personal manager.

This series includes contracts, agreements, press releases, itineraries, schedules, and programs and flyers related to Al Grey's engagements at jazz festivals, jazz clubs, and recording sessions, along with other activities. Among these papers are those from his Israel tour (1985) and Japan tour (1997), the publishing contract for his book Plunger Techniques (1987), awarding of a diploma from the Pottstown Senior High School (1994), induction at the International Jazz Hall of Fame-IJHF (1996), Jazz Camp at Pottstown High School (1996), and notes for the album Echoes of New Orleans (1997). The documents are organized by year with some undated materials at the rear of the box.

Materials from 2000 to 2009 include some related pending post-mortum professional matters. Some of these relate to Ms. Soladar's commitment in preserving Al Grey's legacy through scholarships at the University of Idaho and the Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation (Mesa Community College), as well as the establishment of a permanent deposit for his archives at the University of Idaho.

A small segment of financial records are arranged separately from the contracts and other materials that compose the bulk of this series. These include bank statements from 1989-1992 (Round Midnight Inc.) and 1997-1998 (Grey Rose Music Inc.); invoices, mostly from Round Midnight to Al Grey, up to 1993, and then 1995-1999; copyrights and royalties from 1987-1993 (sacem-Société des auteurs, compositeurs et éditeurs de musique), and 1989-2009 (others); corporate taxes paid in 1987 and 1991-1992 (Round Midnight Inc.); and receipts from recording studio sessions and shipment of records, dated 1989-1993 and 1999. Financial records also include correspondence between Al Grey and Betty Forrest related to their joint venture "Greyforrest Records," 1981-1984, as well as Grey's membership in musician organizations and unions. It may be that other financial records are organized by year within contracts, etc.

Other materials included in this series relate to legal matters (1988-1993), mailing lists, Al Grey's visit cards, and records of merchandise transactions, including those with CK Studio in Hamburg, Germany.

Container(s) Description
Box
1
Contracts, etc, 1967-1968, 1977-1993
2
Contracts, etc, 1994-2001 and undated materials
3
Scholarships and University of Idaho correspondence
4
Financial records
5
Other materials

II:  Al Grey's Personal PapersReturn to Top

0.8 cubic foot

Among Al Grey's personal papers are his honorable discharge from the U.S. Navy (December 21, 1945), divorce papers, draft of last will and testament, copies of birth and death certificates, a prayer book The Liturgy of Nichiren Shoshu, a book of worship and others from the Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, lawsuit against an airline company, documents pertaining to the division of his parents' estate, the bylaws of the Light of Tampa Lodge of the Grand United Order of Odd Fellows (Afro-American Print, 1916), invitation to Al Grey's 70th Birthday party, home equity loan (1990s), personal taxes (1992), Social Security benefits (1993), some letters including a mailgram of sympathy to Count Basie's family (1984), and Al Grey's wallet and contents including a letter from Rosalie Soladar, dated November 27, 1994, his driver license, Social Security card, etc.

This series also contains Al Grey's biographies, obituaries, memorial service and programs of tribute, and letters of sympathy to Ms. Soladar, including a copy of a fax from U.S. President Bill Clinton.

Container(s) Description
Box
6
Personal papers
7
Biographies, obituaries, etc

III:  Rosalie Soladar's Personal PapersReturn to Top

1.3 cubic feet

This series contains Ms. Soladar's personal papers, including her journals (circa 1978-2008) and itineraries of her travels on jazz cruises and other trips and events she attended (2001-2008).

Container(s) Description
Box
8
Journals, etc
9
Itineraries of trips, etc

IV:  CorrespondenceReturn to Top

0.8 cubic foot

This series includes personal letters and cards addressed to Al Grey and/or Rosalie Soladar. Part of the correspondence is organized by the name of the sender; they are: Mona and Milt Hinton, Gwen Paris and Clark Terry, David W. Jonas, Sophia and Robert Phillipson, Herman Leonard, Delia and Bill Gottlieb, Edie and Don Frye, cards from Al Grey's brother Richard Grey Jr., cards exchanged between Rosalie and Al Grey. Correspondence from other senders has no individual arrangement. The series includes also personalized blank greeting cards illustrated by Richardson.

Container(s) Description
Box
10
Correspondence organized by the name of the sender and blank greeting cards
11
Correspondence from other senders

V:  PhotographsReturn to Top

21.0 cubic feet

More than 90 percent of the photographs in this series are personal, non-professional photos taken by Ms. Soladar. The series includes photographs of family celebrations, gatherings with friends, encounters with jazz musicians, Al Grey's rehearsals and performances, etc.

There are also several photographs by national and international professional photographers, these taken by Herman Leonard, Steve Treegoob of Philadelphia, Bill Martin, John Strickler of Pottstown, William Gottlieb, Thomas O. Kriegsmann, Robert A. Phillipson of Netherlands, Hans Harzheim of Dusseldorf, Peter W. Kuehne of Richmond, Steve J. Sherman of New York, Carlo Pieroni of Tolentino, and Millicent G. Muse of Philadelphia, among others. These photos depict Al Grey performances in the United States and abroad.

This series also contains photographs of members of Al Grey's family, and of his early life and career during the 1930s and 1940s.

The table below shows the location of some of the photographs that have been digitized.

Box Photographs
10 AG069
12 AG001-AG037, AG043, AG059
13 AG053, AG058, AG072-AG073, AG076, AG079-AG085, AG090-AG103
14 AG038-AG039, AG040-AG041, AG050-AG051, AG070, AG074-AG075, AG077-AG078, AG086-AG088
15 AG042
16 AG061, AG111-AG124, AG109-AG110, AG126-AG127
20 AG062-AG068, AG071
51 AG146-AG149
52 AG143-AG145
53 AG150-AG221
55 AG128-AG137, AG139-AG140

Container(s) Description
Box
12 and 51
Photos of Al Grey's family and events in early career
13-50, 52-60
Photographs
Unboxed (between boxes 54 and 60)
Eight oversize framed photographs

VI:  ArrangementsReturn to Top

2.5 cubic feet
Container(s) Description
Box
61-65
Arrangements

VII:  Plaques and AwardsReturn to Top

3.7 cubic feet

Plaques and awards in this series were all awarded to Al Grey, with the exception of a medal from the University of Idaho presented to Rosalie Soladar in 2008. They include a diploma of completed course of study from the Pottstown Senior High School, 1994; a framed letter from U.S. President Bill Clinton for Grey's participation in the Inaugural week activities, 1993 and other letters, 1992-1994; a certificate in recognition of being an Honorary Member of the Regimental Band of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (Kings Point, New York), 1998; a certificate from the International Association of Jazz Educators on the occasion of the 20th Annual IAJE International Conference, San Antonio, Texas, 1993; an award from the Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Los Angeles, in 1996; the Artist of Distinction Award from the Great Neck Arts Center, 1999; Benko Dixieland Band 25th anniversary plaque by Hungarian artist Endre Szaasz, 1979; a silver box from Tony Bennett for his participation in the album Tony Bennett Sings Ellington Hot and Cool; and plaques from the University of Idaho jazz festival, 1988-1993, 1995-1996, 1998, 2000; among others.

Some of these items have been digitized.

Container(s) Description
Box
66-69
Plaques and awards (digitized)
70-71
Plaques and awards
72
Plaques and awards from the jazz festival of the University of Idaho

VIII:  Video and Sound RecordingsReturn to Top

8.0 cubic feet

Included in this series are reel-to-reel tapes and video and audio cassettes.

The reel-to-reel tapes 1 to 19 are 10.5 inch reels of 2 inch tape. Songs include: My Romance -- The Very Thought of You -- Midnight Creeper -- Pretty Blue -- Dio Dati -- Cotton Tail -- Lover Man -- Save the Grease -- April in Paris -- Movin' and Groovin' -- Teach Me Tonight (February 1990, tapes 1-4) -- Christmas Song -- White Christmas -- Merry Christmas -- Santa Is Coming Down the Chimney -- It Came Upon a Midnight Clear -- Silent Night -- Jingle Bells -- Santa Claus Is Coming to Town -- Winter Wonderland -- O' Come All Ye Faithful (August 1990, tapes 5-6) -- I Love You. Yes, I Do -- The More I See You -- It's Only a Paper Moon -- Pretty Blues -- The Nearness of You -- Smile -- Tenderly -- Later Name -- Fab's Gab -- Tribute to Clark -- Pizza on the Park -- Unchained Melody (1991, tapes 7-11) -- Feels So Good -- Going to Chicago -- Over and Under -- Salty Papa -- Look Into the Mirror -- Night Train -- At It Again -- Heavy Women -- That Means So Much -- Blues Experience -- End of My Road -- Possum in My Tree (1992, tapes 12-15) -- Home Grown -- Caravan -- Manteca -- As Time Goes By -- Tacos and Grits (1993, tapes 16-19).

The reel-to-reel tapes 20 to 22 are 10.5 inch reels of 1/4 inch tape. Songs include: Christmas Song -- It Came Upon a Midnight Clear -- Jingle Bells -- Silent Night -- Winter Wonderland -- Santa Claus Is Coming to Town -- I Am Dreaming of a White Christmas (undated, tape 20) -- Cotton Tail -- Lover Man -- Teach Me Tonight -- Save the Grease -- Movin' and Groovin' -- My Romance (February 13, 1990, tape 21) -- Midnight Creeper -- The Very Thought of You -- April in Paris -- Lover Man -- Movin' and Groovin' -- Pretty Blue -- Teach Me Tonight -- Dio Dati -- Cotton Tail -- Save the Greese -- My Romance (February 1990, tape 22).

There are also a 10.5 inch reel of 1/2 inch tape identified as Al Grey (undated, tape 23) and two 7 inch reels of 1/4 inch tape, one identified as Mike Grey/Why Don't You Care (undated, tape 24) and another, unidentified (tape 25).

Video and audio cassettes in this series are personal, non-professional recordings made by Ms. Soladar, in different formats, including Al Grey's recording sessions, performances, etc, with a few demos by other artists. Among the audio cassettes are also three copies of the tape that accompanied Al Grey's book Plunger Techniques.

The videos were transferred to digital format and saved on DVDs by volunteer Graham Warger in 2011. Below is a list of the user digital copies of the videos. This is not a complete description of the content of the DVDs, but rather a preliminary overview.

User Digital Copy Description Box
DVD 1 Don Frye's 80th Birthday, Paradise Valley Resort, 1996 5
DVD 2 Jazz at Drew, 1996 -- Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival, 2000 -- Doc Cheatham Memorial, 1997 5
DVD 3 Al Grey Sextet, Harrisburg Hilton Hotel (Pennsylvania), 1993 5
DVD 4 Clinton Studio Recording Session, 1994 5
DVD 5-7 Jazz at Drew, Drew University 5
DVD 8-9 Royal Viking Sea Cruise 5
DVD 10 Lionel Hampton and Golden men of Jazz, S/S Norway, 1993 5
DVD 11 9th annual floating Jazz Fest, S/S Norway, 1991 5
DVD 12 Al Grey and his new quartet, S/S Norway 5
DVD 13 Al Grey quartet, S/S Norway, 1989 5
DVD 14 Royal Viking Sea -- Ella Fitzgerald Tribute -- Japan Footage 5
DVD 15 Pottstown PA concert, 1994 5
DVD 16 Statesmen of Jazz, Japan, 1997 5
DVD 17 Joe Franklin Show -- Emanuel weekend away, 1999 -- Al Grey newscast, Japanese evening news -- Quincy Jones 60 minute segment, 1986 5
DVD 18 52nd Presidential Inaugural Gala, 1992 5
DVD 19 Al Grey and the All Stars, Blue Note, New York, 1995 5
DVD 20 Dizzy Gillespie Memorial 5
DVD 21 A great day in Harlem 5
DVD 22 Meet the stars, S/S Norway, 1993 -- Billy Taylor on Sunday Morning, 1993 -- Joe Franklin Show 5
DVD 23 Hospital Benefit Concert, 1997 -- History of Jazz 5
DVD 24 Meet the stars, S/S Norway, 1993 -- Lionel Hampton Kennedy Center Honors -- S/S Norway, 1992 5
DVD 25 Boarding House Blues 5
DVD 26 Stepping Stone Park, 1996 5
DVD 27 Le Jazz Club 5
DVD 28 Haggart Memorial, 1999 5
DVD 29 John Chalakis Interview, 1995 -- Benny Carter tour, 1991 5
DVD 30 Benny Carter tour, 1991 5
DVD 31 Hague, 1991 5
DVD 32 "By the sea," Barcelona Airport 5
DVD 33 Recording Session, S/S Norway, 1989 -- Joe Williams, Clark Terry, Norman Simmons 5
DVD 34 Norway Island Concert pm, S/S Norway, 1988 5
DVD 35 Dizzy Gillespie, S/S Norway, 1988 5
DVD 36 Lionel Hampton and Golden Men of Jazz, S/S Norway, 1993 5
DVD 37 Al Grey Quintet, 1989 5
DVD 38 James Moody 70th birthday, Blue Note, New York, Disc 2 5
DVD 39 Al Grey Statesmen of Jazz Benefit Recording, 1994 5
DVD 40-41 Al Grey A and R Recording Session, Tapes 1-3, 1990 5
DVD 42 James Moody 70th Birthday, Blue Note, New York, 1995 5
DVD 43 Blue Note Performance -- Jazz All Stars, 1995 -- James Moody 70th Birthday, 1995 5
DVD 44 Al Grey Benefit -- Starters tribute to Al, 1996 -- Lionel Hampton Concert, Canada, 1976 5
DVD 45 Stepping Stone Park, 1996 5
DVD 46 Al Grey New Years Day, 1991 5
DVD 47 Holiday Party -- Lionel Hampton and Terry Clark Jazz All Stars, 1991 5
DVD 48 Al Grey at home, 1991 5
DVD 49 Tavern on the Green, New York, 1995 -- Life Magazine Photo Jazz Session, 1995 -- Conversations with John Chalakis 5
DVD 50 Al Grey Recording Session, New York, 1991 5
DVD 51 Soladar Family 5
DVD 52 Blue Note, New York, 1995 5
DVD 53 Golden Men of Jazz, CWA Hall, 1994 5
DVD 54-57 Tribute to Charlie Parker, 1989 5
DVD 58 Arne Malteus Trio, Jazz in Helsingborg, 1990 5

Container(s) Description
Box
73-77 (offsite)
Reel-to-reel tapes 1-25 (Access is restricted for technical reasons)
78-79 (offsite)
Video cassettes (See user digital copies)
80
Audio cassettes

IX:  Clothing and AccessoriesReturn to Top

21.0 cubic feet
Container(s) Description
Box
81 (offsite)
Band jacket (photo box 12, folder 8). Label: George Evans and Co., Evans Superior Uniforms, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Circa 1930
82 (offsite)
White baby gown. Circa 1925. Accompanying the gown are a safety pin and a handwritten note that reads: The Sweet Baby Boy Albert Thornton Grey -- Apron from the Masonic Thomas Waller Lodge No. 49, Los Angeles, California. To Albert T. Grey, October 18, 1950
83 (offsite)
Sweatshirts and t-shirts. Jazz festival of the University of Idaho, 1991-1993
84 (offsite)
Sweatshirts and t-shirts. Jazz festival of the University of Idaho, 1995, 1996, 1998
85 (offsite)
Sweatshirts and t-shirts. Jazz festival of the University of Idaho, 1999-2001, undated (featuring Lionel Hampton's truck)
86 (offsite)
Sweatshirts and t-shirts. Jazz festival of the University of Idaho, 2002, 2006
87 (offsite)
Sweatshirts and t-shirts. Jazz Band of New Orleans, Preservation Hall -- Palm Court Louis Nelson's New Orleans Allstars and other New Orleans shirts -- Honk Tonk Jazz Club, 1989 -- The New School Celebrating Milt Hinton at 85 -- Clifford Brown Jazz Festival, Wilmington Delaware, 1995 -- Jazz A Vienne, 1994 -- Playboy Jazz Festival, 1994 -- Copenhagen Jazz Festival, 1994 -- Shore Jazz -- Count Basie Orchestra celebrating 55 years -- 5e Jazz Aux Remparts, Bayonne -- Streams of Jazzfest Wien, 1992 -- Jazz en Baie, Douarnenez -- Umbria Jazz and Fano Jazz (Italy), 1991, 1993, 1994 -- Oslo Jazz Festival, 1993
88 (offsite)
Sweatshirts and t-shirts. Santa Fe Jazz Weekend, New Mexico, 1989, 1990 -- Berks Jazz Fest, 1993 -- Lionel Hampton 68th Anniversary, Jazz Legend, World Tour -- Jazz at Sonny's Place -- Rose and Crown, Kingslangley, Herts -- Clark Terry's Big Band Summer Jazz Workshop and Festival, University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse -- Richard Boone and the Sophisticated Ladies -- Bellissimo Jazz Colony celebrating Dizzy Gillespie's birthday
89 (offsite)
Sweatshirts and t-shirts. Presidential Jazz Weekend, Philadelphia, 1991 -- Concord Jazz Festival, 1990 -- Soho Jazz Festival, 1989 -- Eddie Durham, 1987? -- Kennedy Center Open House, 1995 -- Kings Point -- Helsinki's Sea Jazz -- Sacramento Dixieland Jazz Jubilee, 1987? -- Elkhart Jazz Festival, 1997 -- Jazz en Medoc, 1990, and other -- Calvi Jazz Festival, 1994 -- Varberg Jazz Corner -- AARHUS International Jazz Festival, 1991 -- The Jazz Channel, Bet on Jazz 2000 Season -- St. Maarten N.A. -- Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz Jazz Guitar and Bass Competitions, 1995, and other
90 (offsite)
Sweatshirts and t-shirts. Joe Segal's Jazz Showcase, Chicago -- Arbors Records -- Gemini Records -- Hoor Jazz -- Paradise Valley Jazz Party sweatshirt honoring Ray Brown, 1998, Joe Williams, 1999 -- Central Pennsylvania Friends of Jazz Festival, Harrisburg, 1990 -- Jazz Club at Sea, Norwegian Cruise -- Michigan Jazz Festival -- North Sea Jazz Festival, Den Haag, 1990 -- Floating Jazz Festival, S/S Norway, 1990 (signed by Al Grey), 1996, 1998 -- Jazz Cruise S/S Norway, 1996
91 (offsite)
Sweatshirts and t-shirts. Hotel Jerome Jazz, Aspen, 1991 -- The Fabulous Plunger -- Black and White Shades of Grey -- Cimarron Circuit Opera Company Honor Jazz Legends -- Japan, Statesmen of Jazz, 1997, 1998, and other -- Pottstown, P.A. is my hometown (Signed by Al Grey) -- 22eme Jazz a Andernos, Gironde -- Tribute to Ernie Andrews (dedicated to Al and Rose by Ernie), 1997 -- and others featuring Al Grey
92 (offsite)
Sweatshirts and t-shirts. Litchfield Jazz Festival, tribute to Doc Cheatham, 1997 -- Long Island Jazz Festival: Friends of the Arts -- Blue Note Anniversary, New York, featuring The Giants of Jazz, 1991, Lionel Hampton and The Golden Men of Jazz, 1993 -- Max Roach, 1994, Dianne Reeves, 1997, and others Blue Note shirts -- Veritas' Evening with Friends of Charlie Parker, 1996, and other -- Charlie Parker Jazz Festival, Tompkins Square Park t-shirt, 1998
93 (offsite)
Jazz at Drew jacket (bomber) and t-shirt, 1996 -- t-shirt, 1995
94 (offsite)
Personalized jackets from CK Studio, Hamburg, Germany
95-96 (offsite)
Other clothes
97 (offsite)
Caps. Hilton Head Jazz Society -- Blues St. Louis -- The Cable Jazz Channel, Bet on Jazz -- Jazz Valley TV -- and others
98 (offsite)
Hats, belts (Jazz Nice), cravats and bow ties, handkerchiefs, and a stole and hat from St. Croix, Virgin Islands (kente cloth)
99 (offsite)
Jacket (bomber) with a commemorative patch interior left side featuring embroidered image of U.S. Capital and of Bill Clinton and Al Gore, and inscription that reads: Presidential and Vice-Presidential Inauguration 1993, Performing Artist, The 52nd Presidential Inaugural -- and other coats
100 (offsite)
Tuxedo jacket and pants, shirts, and suspenders
101 (offsite)
Accessories including cufflinks and studs set, buckles, wallet, personalized tie tack, diabetes ID necklaces, and miscellaneous

X:  Musical Instruments and AccessoriesReturn to Top

4.0 cubic feet
Container(s) Description
Box
102
A Rexcraft Official Bugle, circa 1925 and a seashell musical instrument with a dedication to Al Grey from Steve Pierre, April 14, 1994
103
A pixie mute, two bucket mutes, a Humes and Berg wa-wah du all mute, four rubber plungers, a styrofoam plunger, a berp, two plastic mouth pieces, and eight metal trombone mouth pieces
Unboxed
A Vincent Bach Stradivarius model 16M (121547) trombone (Elkhart, IN) in a Selmer case featuring a Bach logo, circa 1975
Unboxed
A trombone stand

XI:  Richard E. Grey Band's LibraryReturn to Top

0.6 cubic foot

Materials in this series belonged to Al Grey's father, Richard Edward Grey, born in 1892 and died in 1978. He led the Goodwill Boys and Girls Band of Pottstown, Pennsylvania, which Al Grey joined about the age of four, playing the baritone horn. The materials consist of the band's library and a couple of religious books, as follows.

Band books published by Lambs Music House, Pottstown (PA) (Pan-American Band Music Folio, 1906); C. L. Barnhouse (The Educator, 1910); Star Music, Eldred (PA) (Feist Band Publications, 1926); Emil Ascher, New York (Zephyr Band Book, 1937); Rubank, Chicago (IL) (Christmas Carols, arr. by G. E. Holmes, 1945 -- Americana Collection, 1942 -- All Melody Band Folio, by Henry W. Davis, 1937); The John Church Company, Bryn Mawr (PA) (The Sousa Band Book, by Joh Philip Sousa); Carl Fisher, New York (Cacavas-Osterling Favorite Band Book, 1966 -- Carl Fisher Elementary Band Book, by Leon V. Metcalf, 1955 -- Our Band Class Book/More Our Band Plays, arr. by C. Paul Herfurth and Hugh M. Stuart, 1962 -- Progressive Band Lessons, by Arthur A. Clappe 1922); Fillmore Music House-Carl Fisher, New York (The Gloria Band Book, arr. by Henry Fillmore, 1915); Fillmore Music House, Cincinnati (OH) (Will Huff Band Book, 1913 -- Folk Tune Band Book, by Leon V. Metcalf, 1930).

Other materials in this series are hymns and gospel melodies, including Hymns Ancient and Modern (William Clowes and Sons); a composition notebook and a memorandum with the name William N. Jones on the cover; band method books; pieces of sheet music; and handwritten music exercises, which perhaps are Al Grey's lessons from his father.

Container(s) Description
Box
104
Band books
105
Other materials

XII:  EphemeraReturn to Top

7.0 cubic feet

This series includes national and foreign newspaper clippings, posters, flyers, programs, two scrapbooks 1958-1973 and 1978-1981. The last scrapbook is mostly about the Al Grey and Jimmy Forrest Duo.

There is also a small number of programs, flyers, and other materials related to Al Grey's performances organized by year within contracts, etc in series 1, Professional Papers.

Container(s) Description
Box
106
Scrapbooks
107-114
Ephemera
115
Playbills
116
Profiles of several artists
117
Jazz at Lincoln Center Library (brochures)
Unboxed
Oversize posters
128 (offsite)
Oversize publicity banner

XIII:  ArtifactsReturn to Top

11.5 cubic feet

Some of these itms have been digitized.

Container(s) Description
Box
118
Seventeen paintings by Ms. Soladar and others -- an unidentified collage -- a print entitled Jazz (1994) -- a caricature of Jimmy Carter and Gerald Ford, by Emilio Lopez Guzman (Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, 1977)
119
A painting by Chuck Sabatino. On the back of the painting, a portrait of Al Grey and a dedication that reads: To Al, a fellow artist, Chuck -- a painting entitled (What Did I Do To Be So) Black and Blue
120
Sketches, caricatures, and portraits of Al Grey by various artists including Ted Kearsley, E. Eberhard, David Jones, and others
121
Handmade doll in denim with handwritten messages of get well all over it
122
11 3/4 x 5 1/2 inch wood finish plaque holding a figure in ceramic. Stamped on the back of the plaque: J. H. Hunsicker Mfg. Co., Water Valley (MS) -- 8 x 14 inch engraving Shallow Creek, by J. Ruffin [?] -- 3 x 3 3/4 inch hand tinted print by Wallace Nutting
Unboxed
20 inch (height) body of a sculpture by Bill Jackson. In addition to the body, the sculpture is composed of four detachable parts: two hands, and a trombone with a separate bell and slide. Accompanying the sculpture, there is also a artist's proof head and a second trombone. All parts of the sculpture are made of metal, except the trombones which are of plastic. Dated and signed on the base of the body and on each component: W. K. Jackson, 1996-1998
123
Seven parts of the sculpture by Bill Jackson (see description above)
Unboxed
27 inch (height) bronze sculpture by Carlos Aguilar Linares, in two parts. Signed on both parts: Aguilar. An engraved plate on the base of the sculpture reads: Presented to jazz legend Al (Fab) Grey on his 70th birthday, June 6, 1995
Unboxed
17 inch (height) unidentified sculpture
124 (offsite)
Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz suitcase (Lands End) -- Veritas'7th Annual Evening with Friends of Charlie Parker portfolio, 1995 -- and Moravian College Music Institute/July Jazz Getaway waist pouch, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, 1997
Unboxed (offsite)
Garment bag
Unboxed (offsite)
A leather trombone gig bag with embossed label that reads: Al Grey, guest of honor. Paradise Valley Jazz Party, 1985
125
24 x 33 inch giclee print Fabulissimo, by Dina Petruzzi, 2009 -- 30 x 17 inch unidentified painting
126
25 x 21 inch frame holding a sketch by John Heard, January 1989. Dedicated to Rosalie Soladar. A plaque attached on the bottom of the frame reads: Dorothy Donegan -- 30 1/2 x 26 1/2 inch frame holding a giclee print by John Heard, 1987 -- 25 1/2 x 19 1/2 inch frame holding a poster displaying a painting by John Heard
Unboxed (offsite)
Al Grey's crumpled King trombone (two parts)
Unboxed (offsite)
Two canes (short) and a walking stick (long)
127
Miscellaneous including pin-back buttons and an easel

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • African American jazz musicians--Archives
  • Jazz musicians--United States--Archives
  • Jazz--History--20th century--Sources