NTDIJCMG020 Guide to Ray and Cecelia Brown papers Brown (Ray and Cecelia) papers Finding aid prepared by Laura Guedes; updated by Sara Szobody in 2024. Additional materials were added in 2026 by Kelley Moulton University of Idaho Library, Special Collections and Archives 2012; 2026
libspec@uidaho.edu
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2026-01-27. Finding aid written in English. Finding aid based on DACS (Describing Archives: A Content Standard), 2nd Edition. University of Idaho Library, Special Collections and Archives Ray and Cecelia Brown papers Brown, Ray, 1926-2002 Brown, Cecelia (donor) IJC MG 020 1.5 cubic feet 1953-2003 Ray Brown was an American jazz double bassist. The collection includes awards, photographs, videotapes, compact discs, ephemera, the Ray Brown bass method book, and five of his ties. Special Collections and Archives of the University of Idaho Library. English . 1 5

Raymond Matthews Brown was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in October 13, 1926. He was a jazz double bassist, cellist, and composer. Ray Brown played in Dizzy Gillespie's band from 1946 to 1951. Along with the pianist John Lewis, drummer Kenny Clarke, and vibraphonist Milt Jackson, he formed the Modern Jazz Quartet. He was married to singer Ella Fitzgerald from 1947 to 1952. They adopted Fitzgerald's half-sister's son Ray Brown, Jr., who is a jazz and blues pianist and singer.

Mr. Brown played in the Oscar Peterson trio from 1951 to 1966. He moved to Los Angeles in 1966 and was a founding member of the LA Four, which included drummer Shelly Mann, acoustic guitarist Laurindo Almeida, and Bud Shank on flute and alto saxophone. During Ray Brown's impressive career, he also played with Diana Krall, Jazz at the Philharmonic, Tony Bennett, among others. He died in Indianapolis, Indiana, in July 2, 2002. He was married to Cecelia Brown for 48 years. In 2003 Mr. Brown was inducted into the Down Beat Jazz Hall of Fame.

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.

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

The photographs, plaques, and medals have been digitized and made into the digital Ray Brown Collection.

Gift, Ray Brown's widow, Mrs. Cecelia Brown, June 2010.

Additional materials were transferred to the University of Idaho Special Collections and arrived on January 22nd and 23rd, 2026 from Mrs. Cecelia Brown's estate. These included additional plaques, awards and art pieces, now contained in boxes 6, 7, and 8 of this collection.

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.

Processed in November 2012.

The Ray Brown Papers span the years circa 1953 to 2003. The collection includes awards, photographs, videotapes, compact discs, ephemera, the Ray Brown bass method book, and five of his ties.

 Brown, Cecelia (donor) African American women jazz singers Jazz singers Jazz Music Photographs Ray Brown, Jeff Hamilton, and Benny Green at Bermuda Onion Club, Toronto 1 item 11 x 14 inch black and white photograph by Barry Thomson (Toronto, Ontario) September 1992 1 Ray Brown (signed) 1 item 10 x 8 inch black and white photograph undated 1 Ray Brown playing the bass, facing right 1 item 10 x 8 inch black and white photograph undated 1 Ray Brown playing the bass, facing left 1 item 10 x 8 inch black and white photograph undated 1 Ray Brown 1 item 9 1/2 x 7 inch black and white photograph undated 1 Ray Brown 1 item 10 x 8 inch color photograph undated 1 Ray Brown playing bass, facing left towards another musician 1 item Framed, 20.75"x16.75", black and white image undated 7 Ray Brown playing bass 1 item Wood printed, 16 5/8"x21", black and white undated 7 Posters 1 Happy birthday Ray tour Europe 1996 (2 copies, signed Ray Brown, Benny Green, Greg Hutchinson) 1 item 23 1/2 x 16 1/2 inch poster undated 1 The legendary Ray Brown Trio, Dakota Bar and Grill 1 item 22 x 16 inch poster undated 1 Fundacion Municipal de Cultura Jose Luis Cano, Algeciras. Universidad de Cadiz 1 item 24 1/2 x 17 inch poster undated 1 Ray Brown Trio. Teatro Municipal Florida 1 item 25 x 17 inch poster 20 February 1997 1 Los Angeles Jazz Society's eleventh annual jazz tribute and awards concert honoring Ray Brown 1 item 16 1/2 x 10 1/2 inch poster 10 October 1993 1 Ray Brown trumpet summit 1 item 11 x 8 inch poster 27-31 December 2000 1 Publications and Clippings Ray Brown's bass method: essential scales, patterns, and exercises 1 item Published by Hal Leonard 1999 1 The Links, Incorporated Beverly Hills West Chapter presents a tribute in the arts honoring the late Mr. Ray Brown 1 item program Skirball Cultural Center 19 October 2003 1 Bass world: the journal of the International Society of Bassists 1 item periodical v. 25, no. 3 February - May 2002 1 Newspaper clippings 9 items undated 1 Plaques and Medals Ray Brown Bass Jazz Critics Poll Down Beat 1 item 7 1/2 x6 1/2 inch shield wood finish plaque with engraved plate 1958 2 Down Beat Award presented to Ray Brown Bass First Place 1 item 10 x 6 3/8 inch wood finish plaque with musical theme and engraved plate 1953 2 Congratulations and Happy Birthday to the legendary bassist and godfather of The Blue Note Ray Brown on your 70th birthday 1 item 12 x 9 inch wood finish plaque with engraved plate 13 October 1996 2 Los Angeles Jazz Society salutes Ray Brown for his contribution Jazz Tribute Award 1 item 10 x 12 inch wood finish plaque with engraved plate 1993 2 The Blue Note salutes its Godfather jazz bassist Raymond (Ray) Brown on his 75th birthday, New York 1 item 14 x 11 1/2 inch wood finish plaque with engraved plate 13 October 2001 2 Ray Brown, Bass, Special Award 1 item 2 1/2 inch Playboy All-Star Jazz Poll Winner medal 1963 3 Ray Brown, Bass (x2) 2 items 2 1/2 inch Playboy All-Star Jazz Poll Winner medal 1964 3 Ray Brown 1 item 2 1/2 inch Playboy All-Star Jazz Poll Winner medal 1967 3 Ray Brown 1 item 2 1/2 inch Playboy All-Star Jazz and Pop Poll Winner medal 1970 3 Ray Brown 1 item 2 1/2 inch Playboy All-Star Jazz and Pop Poll Winner medal 1971 3 Qunicy Jones Body Heat Certified Gold Record 1 item Certified RIAA Sale Award. 17 1/8"x21 5/8" framed. 1974 8 Ray Brown and Oscar Peterson Day - City of Los Angeles Proclimation 1 item Framed, 17.5"x23". 18 July 1990 8 Down Beat Award presented to Ray Brown Bass First Place 1 item 10 x 6 3/8 inch wood finish plaque with musical theme and engraved plate 1966 6 Down Beat Award presented to Ray Brown Bass 1 item 10 x 6 3/8 inch wood finish plaque with musical theme and engraved plate 1956 6 Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival Hall of Fame Award Ray Brown 1 item 4 3/4" x 2 3/8" x 7 1/2" award. Black base with clear plastic point. 6 Ray Brown 1 item 2 1/2 inch Playboy All-Star Jazz and Pop Poll Winner medal 1968 6 Down Beat Award presented to Ray Brown Bass Jazz Critics Poll 1 item 7 1/2 x6 1/2 inch shield wood finish plaque with engraved plate 1954 6 Presented in Recognition for your Contribution to the University of Idaho Lionel Hampton-Chevron Jazz Festival, A Show Case of Excellence Ray Brown 1 item 7.5" x 3.5" x 10" award. Black wood base with clear top portion with red, yellow, and black artwork. undated 6 Lionel Hampton-Cheveron Silver Celebration Ray Brown Lionel Hampton Hall of Fame 1 item 5 3/4" x 3" x 9.5" award. Black wood base with black, silver, yellow and mirror top portion. 1990 6 National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences Oscar Peterson Trio Best Jazz Instrumental Performance Group 'Saturday Night at the Blue Note' (Album) 1 item Grammy award. 5 7/8" x 5 7/8" x 9". Black base with yellow metal gramaphone statue on top. 1991 6 Audiovisual Media The L.A. 4 (CCD-4827-2 Concord Records 1 item undated 4 Super bass (74018-2 Capri Records) 1 item undated 4 Triple treat III (CCD-4394 Concord Jazz) 1 item undated 4 Evergreen 4403 (GML-20181) 1 item undated 4 Some of my best friends are... guitarists (CD-83499 Telarc Jazz) 1 item undated 4 Rockin' In Rhythm Piano and Fender Rhodes (CCD-4032 Concord) 1 item undated 4 Bass hit!(829-2 Verve) 1 item undated 4 Ray Brown's New Two Bass Hits (74034-2 Capri Records) 1 item undated 4 Superbass 2 (CD-83483 Telarc Jazz) 2 items undated 4 In the pocket (CCD2-2154-2 Concord Records) 1 item undated 4 Art of playing the bass, featuring Milt Hinton (v.1), John Clayton (v.2), Francois Rabbath (v.3) (Rayben Production) 3 items undated 4 An evening with triple treat, featuring Ray Brown, Herb Ellis, Monty Alexander (Rayben Production) 1 item undated 4 Ray Brown 75th birthday dinner 1 item 15 October 2001 4 Textiles Tie by Ralph Marlin 1 item undated 5 Tie by Tabasco 1 item undated 5 Tie by Domenico Franco 1 item undated 5 Tie by Steven Harries 1 item undated 5 Tie by Je suis 1 item undated 5