Descriptive Summary
Scope and Content of Collection
Biography
Preferred Citation
Acquisition Information
Publication Rights
OFF-SITE STORAGE
Descriptive Summary
Contributing Institution:
Special Collections & Archives, UC San Diego
9500 Gilman Drive
La Jolla 92093-0175
Title: Calvin Jackson Papers
Creator:
Jackson, Calvin
Identifier/Call Number: MSS 0028
Physical Description:
23.25 Linear feet
(13 archives boxes and 95 oversize folders)
Date (inclusive): 1940-1980
Abstract: Papers of Calvin Jackson (1919-1985), jazz pianist, composer, arranger, ensemble leader, and host of radio and television
programs featuring jazz music and performers. The material consists of manuscript scores and instrumental parts for Jackson's
own compositions, his arrangements of the music of other composers, and photocopies of scripts and playlists for radio programs
that Jackson hosted in Canada and the United States.
Languages:
English
.
Scope and Content of Collection
The Calvin Jackson Papers consist of manuscript music scores and instrumental parts for his own compositions, scores and parts
of his arrangements of works by American composers of popular music from the "Golden Era," and composers from other periods
and traditions such as J.S. Bach and Dimitri Shostakovich. The collection also includes photocopies of Jackson's recorded
music playlists and commentaries for radio programs. Not all compositions and arrangements have both a score and a complete
set of parts.
The material dates from the 1940s to the 1980s and is arranged in three series: 1) COMPOSITIONS BY CALVIN JACKSON, 2) ARRANGEMENTS
BY CALVIN JACKSON and 3) PLAYLISTS AND SCRIPTS FOR RADIO PROGRAMS.
Biography
Calvin Jackson was a Black American jazz pianist, composer, and bandleader. Jackson was born on May 26, 1919, in Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania. He studied music at the Juilliard School for a year (1941), then went to California as assistant music director
at the Hollywood studios of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. In addition to his film studio work, Jackson also arranged music for orchestra
leader Harry James and recorded with Phil Moore's band. He moved back to New York in 1947, where he was billed with Mildred
Bailey at the Cafe Society. He continued to pursue a career as a recording artist in his roles as arranger, pianist and ensemble
leader, touring widely in North and South America with a trio or quartet. Jackson moved to Toronto, Canada, in 1950. His quartet
appeared regularly at the Park Plaza Hotel, and he hosted a weekly program featuring jazz music on Canadian television. Jackson
returned to the United States in 1957, and in 1961 he moved back to Southern California, where he settled permanently. He
became a part of musical life in Los Angeles and San Diego, playing with small groups and presenting radio programs, including
"Jazz with Jackson" on KOGO-FM and "Just Jazz" on KCBA.
Calvin Jackson died in Encinitas, California, in 1985.
Preferred Citation
Calvin Jackson Papers, MSS 28. Special Collections & Archives, UC San Diego.
Acquisition Information
Acquired 1996.
Publication Rights
Publication rights are held by the creator of the collection.
OFF-SITE STORAGE
COLLECTION STORED OFF-SITE. ALLOW ONE WEEK FOR RETRIEVAL OF MATERIALS.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Big band music, Arranged -- Scores
Composers -- United States -- Biography
Music -- United States -- 20th century
Composition (Music) -- 20th century -- Scores
Jazz
Jazz -- History
Jazz musicians -- Biography
African American composers -- Archives
African American jazz musicians -- Archives
Jackson, Calvin -- Archives