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Posted by: David Plylar
We are delighted that our Salute to Strayhorn, a festival of events dedicated to the life and work of Billy Strayhorn, will take place in multiple venues at the Library of Congress from June 8-10. These events have been delayed for years due to forces beyond our control, but at last we will be returning …
Posted in: African American History, Composers, Concerts and Events, Film Music, Jazz, LGBTQ+, Musicians
Posted by: David Plylar
This week Concerts from the Library of Congress will feature three wonderful groups visiting from abroad. Unfortunately at the close of 2022 the Coolidge Auditorium suffered a flood that has rendered it unusable until all repairs are made. This means that, for now, NONE of our upcoming winter/spring events will be held in the Coolidge …
Posted in: Concerts and Events
Posted by: Claudia Morales
The following is a blog post from first author Kaleena Black and co-author Claudia Morales. It was published on NAFME “Music Educators Journal”– September 2021 issue Kaleena Black is an Educational Resources Specialist at the Library of Congress. She can be reached at [email protected]. Claudia Morales is a Concert Producer at the Library of Congress. She …
Posted in: Composers, Concerts and Events, Interviews, Jazz, Musical Instruments, Women in Music
Posted by: Melissa Wertheimer
The Library of Congress has recently published two LibGuides related to jazz music. They are “Jazz Stock Arrangements: A Resource Guide” and “Jazz Research at the Library of Congress.”
Posted in: African American History, Guest bloggers, Jazz
Posted by: Paul Sommerfeld
Musician Machito (c. 1908-1984) and his group the Afro-Cubans performed from 1940 to the early 1980s, forming an influential legacy that includes salsa music and Afro-Cuban jazz. The Music of Machito and His Afro-Cubans collection primarily contains approximately 150 manuscript and published compositions and arrangements performed by the ensemble.
Posted in: Composers, Guest bloggers, Jazz, Special Collections
Posted by: Larry Appelbaum
In June of 1996, the Library of Congress presented a “Big Band Bash” at the Lincoln Theatre in Washington DC. Over the course of a weekend, it offered a rare opportunity to present concerts by three important L.A.-based jazz composers and their orchestras: Buddy Collette, Gerald Wilson and Benny Carter. Each composer was offered a …
Posted in: Commissions, Composers, Jazz
Posted by: Cait Miller
The following is a guest post from saxophonist Chris Potter, who participated in the Music Division’s Finding Strayhorn discussion panel on June 12, 2019. My visit to the Library of Congress fortunately coincided with the announcement that the Billy Strayhorn Music Manuscripts and Estate Papers are now available for the public to study. I was …
Posted in: Composers, Guest bloggers, Jazz, New Acquisitions, Special Collections, Webcasts
Posted by: Melissa Wertheimer
February is Black History Month! The Music Division has all the resources you need to explore and appreciate African-American contributions to the performing arts year-round, not only in February.
Posted in: African American History, Exhibitions, Musicians, Sheet Music, Special Collections
Posted by: Larry Appelbaum
Today marks the 109th birthday of tenor saxophonist Lester Young, the first so-called modernist instrumental stylist in jazz. His playing and hip, creative use of musician’s jargon is admired for breaking from the prevailing saxophone style of Coleman Hawkins. In his classic recordings with Count Basie’s Orchestra, Billie Holiday, Benny Goodman and others, he demonstrated …
Posted in: Birthdays, Jazz, Musicians, Special Collections