The Phil Elwood Papers offers a unique view into the San Francisco Bay Area entertainment scene. Philip "Phil" Elwood (1926-2006) was a music journalist and radio broadcaster. From 1952-1996, Elwood had a weekly jazz program on Berkeley's KPFA radio station called Jazz Archives, making him among the first to broadcast jazz on FM radio. Alongside this program, in 1965, Elwood joined the San Francisco Examiner as a critic. Elwood reviewed all manner of performances in the area, including concerts, cabaret shows, live events, and theatrical productions among others. He continued his career at the San Francisco Chronicle after the two papers merged in 2000 and retired in 2002. Following his retirement, he continued to play an active role with the San Francisco Bay Area jazz community. This collection primarily contains materials related to his work at the San Francisco Examiner with some materials related to his work at KPFA. Also included in this collection are publications and program books regarding jazz performance and its role in the San Francisco Bay area musical landscape. The collection has been organized into the following series: Alphabetical Files and Working Documents; Lecture Notes, Lists, and Other Documents; Collected Publications; Photographic Materials; and Audio Materials.

Philip "Phil" Elwood was born on March 19, 1926, in Berkeley, California. His father was a professor of agriculture at the University of California, Berkeley (UCB). As a teenager, he was introduced to jazz music by photographer Dorothea Lange which prompted his lifelong love of the genre and the building of his large jazz record collection.

26.0 Linear feet 26 document boxes

Museum of Performance + Design holds property rights. Copyright of all original works by Phil Elwood belong to his heirs. Copyright of photographs and collected materials belong to their respective creators.

This collection is open for research. Address lists with extensive contact information for other individuals is restricted.