Inventory of the African American Music Collection SPC.2020.007
Karen Clemons; updated by Lindsay Anderson, 2022
California State University Dominguez Hills, Gerth Archives and Special Collections
2021-04
University Library South -5039 (Fifth Floor)
1000 E. Victoria St.
Carson, CA 90747
Business Number: 310-243-3895
archives@csudh.edu
Contributing Institution:
California State University Dominguez Hills, Gerth Archives and Special Collections
Title: African American Music Collection
Identifier/Call Number: SPC.2020.007
Physical Description:
2 boxes
Physical Description:
0.86 Linear Feet
Date (inclusive): 1871-1990; undated
Date (bulk): 1890-1945
Abstract: This collection contains sheet music, event programs, magazines, booklets, postcards, photographs, and other material related
to African American musicians, composers, arrangers, and musical groups. This collection is mostly comprised of sheet music
that falls under the sacred music genre such as gospels and spirituals, but also includes music in the blues genres. Also
included in this collection are a few flyers and programs for events featuring African American musicians, booklets and magazines
regarding African American music, and postcards and photographs of African American musicians and musical groups.
Language of Material:
English
, Yiddish
.
Conditions Governing Access
There are no access restrictions on this collection.
Arrangement
This collection is arranged into six series mainly based on genre or item type. Materials within each folder are arranged
chronologically.
African American Music Collection Series Titles
- Sheet Music, 1894-1976
- Music Books, 1921-1957
- Ephemera, 1893-1973, undated
- Singing and Performance Groups, 1871-1958, undated
- Periodicals, 1990
- LP Records, 1942 1952
Preferred Citation
For information about citing archival material, please consult the appropriate style manual or see the Citations for Archival
Material guide: (https://libguides.csudh.edu/archives-citation)
Sacred Music Collection
This collection is part the Sacred Music Collection, also known as the Georgia and Nolan Payton Archive of Sacred Music, and
is associated with the
African Diaspora of Sacred Music and Musicians (ADSMM) Program . The Sacred Music Collection is made up of smaller collections that contain various primary source materials, such as sheet
music, books, periodicals, photographs, audio visual materials, manuscripts, and more. ADSMM's mission is to facilitate research,
preserve, and make accessible collections documenting the lives of important figures within the sacred music community as
well as its influence primarily within the Los Angeles Black community.
Interested in accessing other Sacred Music collections? If you would like to view these materials in-person, please make an
appointment through the
Gerth Archives and Special Collections website . If you would like to view these materials online, please visit the the
Sacred Music Digital Collections Database website . Please keep in mind that some of the materials in our archival collections are still in the process of being digitized and
are therefore not yet available to the public.
Scope and Contents
The African American Music Collection (1871-1990; undated) contains two boxes of sheet music, event programs, magazines, booklets,
postcards, photographs, and other material related to African American musicians, composers, arrangers, and musical groups.
This collection is mostly comprised of sheet music that falls under the sacred music genre such as gospels and spirituals,
but also includes music in the blues genres. Also included in this collection are a few flyers and programs for events featuring
African American musicians, booklets and magazines regarding African American music, and postcards and photographs of African
American musicians and musical groups. This collection is arranged alphabetically by event title, name of arranger or composer,
publication title, or event venue.
Conditions Governing Use
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Director of Archives
and Special Collections. Permission for publication is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical
materials and not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
African Americans -- California
African Americans -- Music
African Americans -- Poetry
African American choirs
African American churches
African American musicians
African American periodicals
Hymns
Jubilee singers
Music by African American composers
Printed ephemera
Sheet music
Church music
Gospel Music
Sacred music
Socialism -- United States
Spirituals (Songs)
Blake, Eubie, 1887-1983
Hall Johnson Choir
Jubilee Singers (Fisk University)
Robeson, Paul, 1898-1976
Ellington, Duke, 1899-1974
Handy, W. C. (William Christopher), 1873-1958
Williams Jubilee Singers
Dunbar, Paul Laurence, 1872-1906
Martin, Roberta, 1907-1969
Silber, Irwin, 1925-2010
Johnson, James Weldon, 1871-1938
Johnson, J. Rosamond (John Rosamond), 1873-1954
Scott, Hazel, 1920-1981
Europe, James Reese, 1881-1919
Rustin, Bayard, 1912-1987
Series 1: Sheet Music
1894-1976
Physical Description: 29 folders
Language of Material: English.
Scope and Contents
This series contains sheet music primarily written, transcribed, and/or arranged by influential African American composers
and musicians, such as Duke Ellington, Hazel Scott, James Reese Europe, H.T. Burleigh, and more. Influential non-African American
composers - such as Noble Cain, Ernest R. Ball, Irving Mills, and more - are included in this series as well.
box 1, folder 2
"Who Knows?," music by Ernest R. Ball, poem by Paul Laurence Dunbar
1918
box 1, folder 3
"Ain't Cha Coming Back, Mary Ann to Maryland," lyrics by Noble Sissle, music by Eubie Blake
1919
box 1, folder 5
"De Gospel Train," by Noble Cain
1938
Scope and Contents
"De Gospel Train" is a spiritual written by composer Noble Cain.
box 1, folder 7
"He's Using Me," written by Rev. James Cleveland, arranged by Roberta Martin
1955
Scope and Contents
"He's Using Me" is a spiritual written by James Cleveland and arranged by Roberta Martin.
box 1, folder 9
"There is a Balm in Gilead," edited and arranged by William L. Dawson
1949
box 1, folder 10
"Mood Indigo," music and lyrics by Duke Ellington, Irving Mills and Albany Bigard
1931
box 1, folder 12
"Try Jesus," written by Rev. Robert T. George
1976
box 1, folder 14
W.C. Handy sheet music
1914-1969
Scope and Contents
2 copies of "Saint Louis Blues"
1 copy of "Beale Street Blues"
1 copy of "Way Down South Where the Blues Began"
box 1, folder 15
"I Have Resolved to Keep the Faith," music and lyrics by Clarence E. Hatcher
1944
box 1, folder 18
"Princes Awake," music by William Rosborough, lyrics by Rev. E.W.D. Isaac
1901
box 1, folder 19
"Plenty A-Balm In Gilead," music and lyrics by Wade B. Jakeway
1951
box 1, folder 20
"Dusky Stevedore," music by J.C. Johnson, lyrics by Andy Razaf
1928
box 1, folder 24
"My Honolulu Lady Songster"
1899
box 1, folder 26
"Yo' Cain't Git Yo' Lodgin' Here," music by Edward Morris
1928
box 1, folder 27
"Consecrated," music by Kenneth Morris
1967
box 1, folder 28
"Negro Folk Songs," Hampton Series, No. 6716, Book 1
1918
box 1, folder 30
"Lord Hear My Cry to Thee," music and lyrics by R. Patterson
1965
box 1, folder 31
"God's Trombones," music by Roy Ringwald, poems by James Weldon Johnson
1955
box 1, folder 34
"Boogie-Woogie," piano transcriptions by Hazel Scott
1943
box 1, folder 36
"He's Sweeter as the Days Roll By," music and lyrics by Genese Smith, arranged by Virginia Davis
1953
box 1, folder 37
"The Story of the Life of George Washington Carver - Wayfaring Stranger, An Operetta in 3 Acts," by Patricia Jenson
1966
box 1, folder 42
"Negro Spirituals," arranged by H.T. Burleigh
1917
box 1, folder 44
"Island in the Sun," music and lyrics by Harry Belafonte and Lord Burgess (Irving Burgie)
1956
box 2, folder 1
"Emmett J. Welch and his African Warblers Singing: The Message of The Honeymoon," lyrics by Al Dubin and H.R. Curtis, music
by Jos. A. Burke
1912
box 2, folder 2
James Reese Europe And His Famous 369th U.S. Infantry "Hell Fighters" Band sheet music
1919
Scope and Contents
1 copy of "Mirandy (That Gal O' Mine)", music and lyrics by James Reese Europe, Noble Sissle, and Eubie Blake (1919)
1 copy of "On Patrol in No Man's Land", music and lyrics by James Reese Europe, Noble Sissle, and Eubie Blake (1919)
box 2, folder 3
"Plantation Songs with Choruses," music and lyrics by Alfred Scott-Gatty
1894
box 2, folder 4
John Rosamund Johnson and James Weldon Johnson sheet music
1901, 1920
Scope and Contents
1 copy of "Lift Every Voice and Sing (National Negro Hymn)", lyrics by James Weldon Johnson, music by J. Rosamund Johnson
(1920)
1 copy of "Nobody's Lookin' But De Owl An' De Moon", lyrics by J.W. Johnson and Bob Cole, music by Rosamund Johnson (1901)
box 2, folder 5
"Trabel On - Burlesque March for Piano From American Negro Suite," music and lyrics by Thorvald Otterstrom
1917
box 2, folder 6
"The Tuskegee Institute March," music and lyrics by Nathaniel Clark Smith
1910
Series 2: Hymnals, Anthologies, and Song Books
1921-1957
Physical Description: 8 folders
Language of Material: English.
Scope and Contents
This series contains music books as well as hymnals and anthologies which compile spirituals, hymns, as well as other sacred
music.
box 1, folder 17
How To Put on a Minstrel Show by Harold Rossiter
1921
Scope and Contents
The cover reads: "Contains complete practical instructions [on] how to handle amateur and professional talent also complete
opening overture. Good selection of end mens jokes and gags - Instructions [on] how to make up list of suitable songs ETC.".
box 1, folder 22
The Second People's Songbook: Lift Every Voice!, introduction by Paul Robeson, edited by Irwin Silber
1953
box 1, folder 23
Look Away: 50 Negro Folk Songs
circa 1946
box 1, folder 29
Negro Songs: An Anthology, edited and introduction by Clement Wood
1924
box 1, folder 35
Sing Out!, Vol, 8, No. 1, edited by Irwin Silber
spring 1958
box 1, folder 46
Gospel Pearls, edited and compiled by the Music Committee of the Sunday School Publishing Board
1921
Scope and Contents
This file includes two copies of the
Gospel Pearls hymnal. It was published by the Sunday School Publishing Board, National Baptist Convention of America in Nashville, TN.
box 1, folder 47
Pinebrook Choruses, edited by Percy B. Crawford
1934
Scope and Contents
The
Pinebrook Choruses hymnal was published by the Young People's Church of the Air in Philadelphia, PA.
box 2, folder 10
Jubilee Spirituals published by the Morris-Henson Co.
circa late 1920s
Series 3: Ephemera
1893-1973, undated
Physical Description: 12 folders
Language of Material: English, Yiddish.
Scope and Contents
This series contains ephemera - such as flyers, leaflets, pamphlets, postcards, and programs - featuring performances, plays,
Sunday morning services, and more.
box 1, folder 1
Abyssinian Baptist Church (New York City) ephemera
1940-1942, undated
Language of Material: English.
Scope and Contents
This file includes four items: an undatded, blank postcard featuring images of the church and a brief discussion of its history;
two programs; and a printed tri-fold sermon. Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. was the minister of the Abyssinian Baptist Church during
this time.
box 1, folder 4
Anna Lucasta play program
circa 1944
Language of Material: English.
Biographical / Historical
"Anna Lucasta" is a 1944 play written by Philip Yordan. The play was originally written about a Polish American family, but
was later adapted for an all African American cast after its rights were obtained by American Negro Theatre director Abraham
Hill. British director Harry Wagstaff Gribble would later assist with the adaptation of the script as well.
box 1, folder 8
"Concert in Aid of The Home for Aged Colored Women" concert program
March 8, 1893
Language of Material: English.
box 1, folder 16
Roland Hayes concert flyer
January 1941
Language of Material: English.
Scope and Contents
This concert flyer advertises for two concerts featuring lyric tenor and composer Roland Hayes at City Temple in San Francisco.
box 1, folder 21
Victory Baptist Church Sunday morning service program featuring guest speaker Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
February 28, 1965
Language of Material: English.
box 1, folder 25
"History of the Negro in Music" program flyer presented by the Men's Club of the First AME Church
undated
Language of Material: English.
box 1, folder 32
Paul Robeson ephemera
1940-1949, 1955; undated
Language of Material: English, Yiddish.
Scope and Contents
This file includes a concert flyer as part of the Long Beach Civic Concert Series (c. 1940-1941); a "Paul Robeson as Othello,
The Moor of Venice" theater program (c. 1943-1944); a "Paul Robeson Sings at Town Hall" concert program (undated); a booklet
entitled, "The Negro and Justice: A Plea for Earl Browder" by Dr. Max Yergan and Paul Robeson (1941); a series of statements
presented before the House Committee on Un-American Activities by Lester B. Granger (executive director of the National Urban
League) and Jackie Robinson entitled, "Communist Influence Among Negroes - Fact or Illusion?" (c. 1949); a flyer for Negro
History Week 1955 entitled "ASP Proudly Presents Paul Robeson.. in an Evening of Theatre Arts"; and a pamphlet entitled, "Artists'
Right to Travel - A Tribute to Paul Robeson" (undated).
box 1, folder 45
"Dining Car Waiters" recital leaflet
November 15, 1946
Language of Material: English.
General
Recital was to take place at Bethel AME Chruch on Larrabee and McMillen Streets possibly in Los Angeles, and performers included
Vyolette Hooker (soprano), Henry Clay Bell (organist), and Stanton H. Duke (reader).
box 1, folder 48
Eubie Blake ephemera
1972-1973
Language of Material: English.
box 1, folder 49
W.C. Handy short biography
1969
Language of Material: English.
Scope and Contents
This short biography concerning composer and musician William C. Handy only has 8 brief pages.
box 1, folder 50
Duke Ellington
Black, Brown, and Beige album advertisement leaflet
circa 1943
Language of Material: English.
box 2, folder 9
Zion Hill Gospel Chorus "An Evening with Negro Composers" concert program
circa 1940-1949
Language of Material: English.
box 2, folder 11
Billie Holiday "appearing at the Onyx Club Nitely" [postcard]
circa 1940s
Series 4: Choir and Singing Groups
1871-1958, undated
Physical Description: 9 folders
Language of Material: English.
Scope and Contents
This series contains materials which feature prominent all-Black music groups, jubilee singers, and choirs, such as the Fisk
Jubilee Singers, the Hall Johnson Choir, the Williams' Jubilee Singers, and more.
box 1, folder 6
The Cleveland Coloured Gospel Quintette materials
1931, 1937, undated
Scope and Contents
The Cleveland Coloured Gospel Quintette materials file comprises of three items: a booklet entitled, "The Colored Quintette,
A Brief Narrative of God's Marvelous Dealings with the Cleveland Gospel Quintette and Their Personal Testimony"; a black-and-white
photograph of tenor, saxophonist, and member of the Cleveland Coloured Gospel Quintette Spurgeon R. Jones with his wife and
eight children; and a pamphlet promoting upcoming religious revival meetings featuring the quintette at the former Alliance
Gospel Tabernacle Church now Abyssinian Missionary Baptist Church) in Oakland, California.
box 1, folder 11
Fisk Jubilee Singers photograph
circa 1871
box 1, folder 13
Hall Johnson Choir photograph
undated
box 1, folder 33
Rousseau Family of Musicians postcard
circa 1919
box 1, folder 38
Williams' Jubilee Singers materials
circa 1910
Scope and Contents
This file includes an informational pamphlet and three song booklets.
box 1, folder 39
11th Annual Original Dixieland Jubilee concert program
October 11, 1958
box 1, folder 40
Famous Spiritual Jubilee Singers of Chicago concert flyer
February 11, 1940 - February 26, 1940
box 1, folder 41
The California Jubilee All-Star Quartet ephemera
circa 1912, November 16, 1922, undated
Scope and Contents
This file of ephemera includes an admissions ticket, a promotional pamphlet, and a small promotional flyer featuring the Los
Angeles-based California Jubilee All-Star Quartet.
box 2, folder 9
Zion Hill Gospel Chorus "An Evening With Negro Composers" concert program
circa 1940-1949
Scope and Contents
Item is a concert program entitled "An Evening With Negro Composers" performed by the Zion Hill Gospel Chorus. This chorus
was affiliated with the Zion Hill Baptist Church in Los Angeles.
Series 5: Periodicals
1948, 1990
Physical Description: 2 folders
Language of Material: English.
Scope and Contents
This series so far contains two periodicals:
Rejoice! The Gospel Music Magazine; and
Radio 48.
box 1, folder 43
Rejoice! The Gospel Music Magazine, Vol. 2, No. 3
Spring 1990
box 2, folder 12
Radio 48 No. 174
February 22-28, 1948
Language of Material: French.
Scope and Contents
cover features Louis Armstrong and article "Le Roi Du Jazz Louis Armstrong va Faire Son Entree Dans La Bonne Ville de Nice"
Series 6: LP Records
1942, 1952
Physical Description: 2 Albums
Language of Material: English.
Scope and Contents
This series so far contains two albums:
Songs of Free Men featuring Paul Robeson and
Bayard Rustin Sings Twelve Spirituals on The Life of Christ with readings from the Bible by James Farmer.
box 2, folder 7
Songs of Free Men album performed by Paul Robeson
1942
Physical Description: 1 Album(Four 10-inch LPs)
Scope and Contents
This file contains the original LP records holder as well as 4 LP records with two songs on each record. The songs include:
"The Four Insurgent Generals"
"The Peet-Bog Soldiers"
"From Border to Border"
"Oh, How Proud Our Quiet Don"
"Native Land"
"Songs of the Plains"
"Joe Hill"
"The Purest Kind of Guy"
box 2, folder 8
Bayard Rustin Sings Twelve Spirituals on The Life of Christ with readings from the Bible by James Farmer
1952
Physical Description: 1 Album(One 10-inch LP)
Scope and Contents
This file contains the original LP record holder. Songs include:
"Go Tell It on the Mountain"
"Mary, What You Goin' To Name That Baby?"
"Wasn't That A Mighty Day?"
"I Know The Lord's Laid His Hands On Me"
"Shepherd, Where'd You Lose Your Sheep?
"Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child"
"Jesus Walked His Lonesome Valley"
"Were You There When They Crucified My Lord?"
"He Never Said A Mumblin' Word"
"Lord, I Don't Care Where You Bury My Body"
"He Arose"
"He Is King Of Kings"
