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Steve Miller Collection

 Collection
Identifier: MS-0200

Scope and Contents

The Steve Miller Collection was a gift to the University Libraries in September 2011. Materials date from 1951-2012, with the majority of non-musical materials originating from the 1980s and 1990s. The impressive bulk of this collection can be found in the music manuscripts. Contained are over one thousand pieces of music, including pieces that are original arrangements and pieces that were performed by Miller’s ensembles.

Most non-musical items in the collection give a wide overview of Miller’s musical career, encompassing the performing aspect and also the business aspect. Many of his personal documents – including contracts, schedules, correspondence, and finances – give insight into his success in Kansas City. Another valuable niche of the collection is the wide range of photographs that document Miller’s life and career, beginning in the 1950s and ending in the early 2000s.

Miller’s unique and special connection to the Kansas City community is greatly shown through the correspondence, pictures, and various directories, newsletters, and journals. The numerous newspaper clippings also demonstrate his decades of musical activity.

The audiovisual materials consist mostly of recordings of live performances of jazz band leader, Steve Miller and his orchestra, many of which were recorded in the Kansas City area. The collection also holds recordings of other jazz performances that Miller collected.

Dates

  • 1913 - 2007

Creator

Conditions Governing Use

Donor has retained copyright

Extent

69 Linear Feet (LaBudde: 62 boxes, 1 oversized drawer.)

23 Linear Feet (Marr: 5 Grooved Discs, 76 Open Reel Audiotapes, 1324 Compact Cassettes, 32 DATs, 70 CD-Rs, 4 Mini Discs, 2 DVD-Rs, 26 U-Matic Tapes, 8 U-Matic SP Tapes, 1 Betamax Tape, 159 VHS Tapes, 2 Open Reel Videotapes.)

Language of Materials

English

Author
LaBudde: Beth Hummer, Stuart Hinds (supervising archivist). Marr: Taylor Bye.
Date
LaBudde: Spring 2012. Marr: 2016.
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