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Guide to the Phillip E. Jenkins Papers
MS 52
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Table of contents
Title: Phillip E. Jenkins papers
Dates: circa 1880s-1993
Bulk Dates: 1928-1993
Collection number: MS 52
Creator:
Jenkins, Phillip E.
Collection Size:
2.5 linear feet
(4 boxes + 1 oversized box)
Repository:
African American Museum & Library at Oakland (Oakland, Calif.)
Oakland, CA 94612
Abstract: The Phillip E. Jenkins papers include photographs, educational materials, military records, and organizational records of
the Sacramento Traditional Jazz Society.
Languages:
Languages represented in the collection:
English
No access restrictions. Collection is open to the public.
Materials are for use in-library only, non-circulating.
Permission to publish from the Phillip E. Jenkins Papers must be obtained from the African American Museum & Library at Oakland.
Phillip E. Jenkins papers, MS 52, African American Museum & Library at Oakland, Oakland Public Library. Oakland, California.
Processed by Sean Heyliger, 08/23/2013.
Biography / Administrative History
Phillip Eugene Jenkins (1917-1993) was born on August 9, 1917 in Sacramento, California to Aaron Arthur Jenkins and Grace
Evelyn Grubbs Jenkins. Jenkins interest in music began at an early age and music was encouraged by his parents. His mother
organized Jenkins and his siblings into a family ensemble accompanied by their cousin Clarissa Hundley on piano. The ensemble,
known as the Junior Concert Orchestra, performed at churches and venues in the Sacramento area. While attending Stanford Junior
High School and Sacramento High School, Jenkins continued to pursue music playing the cornet and tuba in the marching band
and as a member of the high school glee club.
After briefly attending Sacramento Junior College, Jenkins left school and began working as a porter and window dresser while
occasionally playing with big band orchestras in the 1930s. He had short stints playing with the Dick Jurgens Orchestra, Louis
Armstrong, and Lionel Hampton before an accident with a power saw damaged his hand, limiting his ability to play musical instruments.
In 1941, he was hired by the California Department of Employment as an employment security trainee. After serving two years
in the armed forces during World War II, Jenkins returned to the California Department of Employment where he worked until
his retirement in 1976.
Beginning in 1968, Jenkins became active in jazz preservation with the establishment of the Sacramento Traditional Jazz Society.
He was active in the society’s activities and in the creation of the Sacramento Dixieland Jubilee, an international jazz festival
held in Sacramento, California beginning in 1974. He was an active volunteer for the Jubilee over the next twenty years, and
was eventually inducted into the Jubilee Hall of Fame in 1987 and served as the Jubilee’s Emperor of Jazz in 1991. His knowledge
of jazz and personal collection of jazz recording led him to a radio career beginning in 1974, when he began a weekly jazz
radio program, “Sacramento Classic Jazz” on the California State University radio station KXPR and subsequently on the university’s
new jazz station KXJZ. His weekly radio program continued to air until shortly before his death on February 10, 1993.
Scope and Content of Collection
The Phillip E. Jenkins papers include photographs, educational materials, military records, and organizational records of
the Sacramento Traditional Jazz Society. The collection is arranged into six series: musical activities, State of California,
Department of Employment, military service, education, photographs, and assorted printed material. The bulk of the collection
documents Jenkins’ various musical activities, mostly his involvement and volunteer work with the Sacramento Traditional Jazz
Society and the Sacramento Dixieland Jubilee. The musical activities series includes the constitution and by-laws, a roster
of past presidents and officers, and Board of Directors’ meeting minutes of the Sacramento Traditional Jazz Society; clothing,
awards, programs, and planning material related to the Sacramento Dixieland Jubilee; and an assortment newspaper clippings,
correspondence, awards, programs, jazz publications, and a transistor radio collected by Jenkins.
The Education series includes Jenkins’ Stanford High School report cards, track and field ribbons, pennants, botany class
notes and exam, certificates, newsletter, and yearbooks for 1935-1936. There is also an assortment of musical and theatrical
programs for high schools performances and commencement programs for Stanford High School and Sacramento Junior College. The
State of California, Department of Employment series includes Jenkins’ personnel file as an employee with the department between
1941-1966 and includes correspondence, tax, performance reports, and salary records.
Photographs are arranged by subject into five sub-series: Sacramento Traditional Jazz Society, Jenkins’ family, Ray-Grubbs
family reunion, education, and assorted. The bulk of the photographs document Jenkins’ volunteer work with the Sacramento
Dixieland Jubilee in the 1980s-1990s. Records in the military service series are mostly selective service cards, forms, and
instructions given to Jenkins for his call before the board during World War II. The assorted series includes three folders
of assorted invitations and greeting cards sent to the Jenkins family and funeral programs of friends and family.
Series I. Musical activities
Series II. State of California, Department of Employment
Series III. Military service
Series IV. Education
Series V. Photographs
Series VI. Assorted
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in
the library's online public access catalog.
Sacramento Traditional Jazz Society.
Sacramento Dixieland Jubilee.
Jenkins, Phillip E.
Dixieland music.
Jazz--California.
Sacramento (Calif.)--Social life and customs--20th century.