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Robert Brookmeyer Collection

 Collection
Identifier: MS-0004

Scope and Contents

The Robert Brookmeyer Collection consists of manuscript scores and copies of manuscript scores created for performance by jazz ensembles. The vast majority of the material was either composed or arranged by Robert Brookmeyer, although there are five arrangements by jazz musician and composer Bill Holman. The manuscripts date from 1958 to 1982 with the majority having been created between the years 1979-1982.

The collection is arranged in three series: Jazz Ensemble Compositions, Jazz Ensemble Arrangements, and Bill Holman Arrangements. The major strength of the collection lies in the opportunity to witness Brookmeyer's process of composing and arranging. All of the scores are handwritten with eraser marks and annotations. There is more than one score to several titles, allowing researchers to compare different handwritten editions of the works. While there is no personal or business material of Brookmeyer's in the collection, the scores do provide valuable research opportunities concerning both Brookmeyer himself and twentieth century American jazz composition.

A fourth series, Addendum 1, consists of copies of manuscript scores containing some of Brookmeyer's earliest arrangements: Blue Skies, Dancing in the West, Estrellita, Memphis in June, and Temptation. These additional items were donated April 13, 2018, by Carl Bolte, a pianist who played with him at the Flamingo Club.

Dates

  • 1961 - 1982

Creator

Conditions Governing Use

Original donation: Donor has retained copyright. Permission to publish material from this collection must be obtained from Robert Brookmeyer’s estate.

Extent

2 Linear Feet (LaBudde: 4 manuscript boxes.)

Language of Materials

English

Author
LaBudde: Brett Fuelberth and Jamie Straley-Eason, Amy Leimkuhler (supervising archivist); Addendum 1: Lydia Bechtel-Edmonson, Stuart Hinds (supervising archivist).
Date
LaBudde: March 1997; Addendum 1: May 2018.
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the University of Missouri-Kansas City Special Collections and Archives Repository