Guide to the Elayne Jones Collection ARS.0230

Archive of Recorded Sound

2023

soundarchive@stanford.edu

URL: http://library.stanford.edu/ars

Language of Material: English

Contributing Institution: Archive of Recorded Sound

Title: Elayne Jones Collection

Identifier/Call Number: ARS.0230

Physical Description: 21 box(es) 21 box(es)

Date (inclusive): 1940-2022

Conditions Governing Access

Open for research; material must be requested at least five business days in advance of intended use. Contact the Archive of Recorded Sound for assistance.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The Elayne Jones Collection was acquired by the Stanford Archive of Recorded Sound from the estate of Elayne Jones in 2022.

Arrangement

This collection is organized into eight series: Legal files; Manuscript drafts; Programs and promotional material; Clippings, daily planners, journals and notebooks; Music scores; Correspondence; Photographs; and Sound and moving image recordings.

Biographical / Historical

Elayne Viola Jones (January 30, 1928 – December 17, 2022) was an American timpanist, music teacher, activist, and author. Jones was a pioneer in breaking through institutional racial and gender barriers within the American symphonic and orchestral profession. She became the first Black opera orchestra member in a major American orchestra in 1949, the first documented Black musician to play with the New York Philharmonic in 1958, and the first Black principal in a major American orchestra in 1972.

Jones received a Bachelor of Music degree in percussion performance from The Juilliard School of Music in 1949 under the mentorship of Saul Goodman and Morris Goldenberg. Her career as a professional timpanist spanned forty-nine years and included performances with the New York City Orchestra (1949–1960), the San Francisco Symphony (1972–1974), and the San Francisco Opera (1975–1998).

In 2019, Elayne Jones became the fourth female member of the Percussive Arts Society Hall of Fame and published an autobiography, Little Lady with a Big Drum.

Preferred Citation

Elayne Jones Collection (ARS.0230). Stanford Archive of Recorded Sound, Stanford University Libraries, Stanford, CA.

Content Description

This collection includes journals, diaries, legal files, recorded sound, music scores, clippings, photographs, correspondence and personal notes dating 1940–2020. Elayne Jones created and amassed the materials as a timpanist and percussionist with ensembles primarily in New York City and San Francisco. Included are detailed personal datebooks in which Jones chronicled her daily activities, thoughts and experiences over most of her adult life, including extensive commentary on the proceedings surrounding a lawsuit she brought against the San Francisco Symphony in 1974.

Conditions Governing Use

All requests to reproduce, publish, broadcast, or otherwise use collection materials must be submitted in writing to the Head Librarian, Archive of Recorded Sound, Braun Music Center, Stanford, California 94305. Consent is given on behalf of the Archive of Recorded Sound as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission from the copyright owner. Such permission must be obtained from the copyright owner, heir(s) or assigns.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Music -- California -- San Francisco

Symphonies

Drummers (Musicians)

Women musicians -- United States

African Americans musicians.

Stanley, Cheryl

Legal files 1 1974-1976

Scope and Contents

This series contains material relating to Elayne Jones' lawsuit brought against the San Francisco Symphony for racial discrimination dating from 1974-1976. Included are legal filings, correspondence of support, interrogations, press clippings and other material.

Arrangement

Arranged in original order.

Box 1, folder 1

General and correspondence

Box 1, folder 2

Press clippings

Box 1, folder 3

General press notices

Box 1, folder 4

Pleadings

Box 1, folder 5

Agreements and constitutions

Box 1, folder 6

Evidentiary

Box 1, folder 7

Legal research, trial strategy

Box 1, folder 8

Interrogatories

Box 1, folder 9

Depositions

Box 1, folder 10

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (E.E.O.C.) charge

Box 1, folder 11

Letters of support

Box 1, folder 12

Correspondence with Afro‐American Music Opportunities Association (A.A.M.O.A.)

Box 1, folder 13

Music ability evidentiary

Box 1, folder 14

Defense committee

Box 1, folder 15

Motion for preliminary injunction

Box 1, folder 16

Motion for partial summary judgment

Box 1, folder 17

State action exhibits

Box 1, folder 18

State action issues

Box 1, folder 19

Handwritten notes

Manuscript drafts 2 undated

Scope and Contents

This series contains manuscript drafts for Elayne Jones' autobiography Little Lady with a Big Drum.

Arrangement

Arranged in original order.

Box 2, folder 1

Lectures

Box 2, folder 2

Beginning Little Lady Big Drum

Box 2, folder 3

Let me introduce myself

Box 2, folder 4

Prologue

Box 2, folder 5

Meet me in St. Louis

Box 2, folder 6

American Symphony

Box 2, folder 7

1st black in NY Philharmonic

Box 2, folder 8

Auditions

Box 2, folder 9

Growing up in Harlem

Box 2, folder 10

Return to NY

Box 2, folder 11

NYC Opera, tour, Chicago

Box 2, folder 12

Career and children

Box 2, folder 13

Juilliard teachers

Box 2, folder 14

Duke Ellington

Box 2, folder 15

San Francisco Opera

Programs and promotional material 3 1948-1993

Scope and Contents

This series contains programs featuring Elayne Jones dating from 1948-1993. Included are programs, publications and posters from performances with the San Francisco Opera, American Symphony Orchestra and the Bronx Community and College symphony.

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically.

Box 3, folder 1

Programs 1948-1950

Box 3, folder 2

Programs 1957

Box 3, folder 3

Programs 1958

Box 3, folder 4

Programs 1961

Box 3, folder 5

Programs 1962

Box 3, folder 6

Programs 1963

Box 3, folder 7

Programs 1964

Box 3, folder 8

Programs 1965

Box 3, folder 9

Programs 1966

Box 3, folder 10

Programs 1968

Box 3, folder 11

Programs 1969

Box 3, folder 12

Programs 1971

Box 4, folder 1

San Francisco Opera publications 1975

Box 4, folder 2

San Francisco Opera publications 1976-1977

Box 4, folder 3

San Francisco Opera publications 1977

Box 4, folder 4

San Francisco Opera publications 1978

Box 4, folder 5

San Francisco Opera publications 1979-1980

Box 4, folder 6

San Francisco Opera publications 1981

Box 4, folder 7

San Francisco Opera publications 1981

Box 4, folder 8

San Francisco Opera publications 1982

Box 4, folder 9

San Francisco Opera publications 1983-1984

Box 5, folder 1

San Francisco Opera publications 1985-1986

Box 5, folder 2

San Francisco Opera publications 1987-1988

Box 5, folder 3

San Francisco Opera publications 1989-1990

Box 5, folder 4

San Francisco Opera publications 1991-1992

Box 5, folder 5

San Francisco Opera publications 1993-1995

Box 5, folder 6

San Francisco Opera publications 1995-1998

Box 5, folder 7

Performing Arts publication 1972-1973

Box 5, folder 8

Performing Arts publication 1974-1978

Box 5, folder 9

Performing Arts publication 1980-1994

Box 5, folder 10

Flor De Rol publication 1977-1979

Box 5, folder 11

Programs, flyers, publications various 1982-1997

Box 5, folder 12

Programs, flyers, publications various 1989-1993

Box 18, Item 1

Bronx Community and College Symphony poster undated

Physical Description: 1 poster(s)

Box 19, Item 1

American Symphony Orchestra poster undated

Physical Description: 1 poster(s)

Clippings, daily planners, journals and notebooks 4 1940-2020

Scope and Contents

This series contains newspaper clippings, journals, daily planners and notebooks dating from 1940-2020. Included are extensive personal notes on Elayne Jones' daily activities, travels and opinions on performances, rehearsals, other musicians and conductors.

Arrangement

Arranged in chronological order.

Box 6, folder 1

Bound clippings relating to San Francisco Symphony lawsuit

Box 6, folder 2

Bound clippings relating to San Francisco Symphony lawsuit

Box 6, folder 3

Bound clippings relating to San Francisco Symphony lawsuit

Box 6, folder 4

Bound clippings relating to San Francisco Symphony lawsuit

Box 6, folder 5

Bound clippings relating to San Francisco Symphony lawsuit

Box 6, folder 6

Loose clippings

Box 6, folder 7

Loose clippings

Box 6, folder 8

Loose clippings

Box 7, folder 1

Journals and daily planners 1940-1950

Box 7, folder 2

Journals and daily planners 1960-1969

Box 7, folder 3

Journals and daily planners 1960-1969

Box 7, folder 4

Journals and daily planners 1970-1979

Box 7, folder 5

Journals and daily planners 1970-1979

Box 7, folder 6

Journals and daily planners 1980-1989

Box 7, folder 7

Journals and daily planners 1990-1999

Box 7, folder 8

Journals and daily planners 1990-2000

Box 7, folder 9

Journals and daily planners 1990-2001

Box 8, folder 1

Journals and daily planners 2000-2006

Box 8, folder 2

Journals and daily planners 2006-2015

Box 8, folder 3

Journals and daily planners 2008-2020

Box 8, folder 4

Journals and daily planners 2008-2020

Box 8, folder 5

Journals and daily planners undated

Box 8, folder 6

Journals and daily planners undated

Box 11, folder 1

Loose daily planner pages undated

Box 11, folder 2

Loose daily planner pages undated

Box 11, folder 3

Loose daily planner pages undated

Music scores 5 1950-2015

Scope and Contents

This series contains hand annotated music scores amassed by Elayne Jones over the course of her professional career dating from 1950-2015.

Arrangement

Arranged in original order.

Box 9, folder 1

Music scores 1950-2015

Box 9, folder 2

Music scores 1950-2015

Box 9, folder 3

Music scores 1950-2015

Correspondence 6 1950-2017

Arrangement

Arranged in alphabetical order, then by subject.

Scope and Contents

This series contains correspondence between Elayne Jones and various recipients including her son Stephen Kaufman (S.K. Thoth) dating from 1972-2017.

Box 9, folder 4

Correspondence letters of complaint 1975

Box 9, folder 5

Correspondence letters of complaint 1975

Box 9, folder 6

Legal correspondence undated

Box 9, folder 7

Personal correspondence G-K 1973-1976

Box 9, folder 8

Personal correspondence A-F 1974-1975

Box 9, folder 9

Personal correspondence L-MC 1973-1982

Box 10, folder 1

Personal correspondence N-S 1974-1975

Box 10, folder 2

Personal correspondence T-Z 1968-1975

Box 10, folder 3

Correspondence San Francisco Symphony 1972

Box 10, folder 4

Correspondence with Stephen Kaufman (S. K. Thoth) 1975-2017

Box 10, folder 5

Correspondence 1950-2002

Box 10, folder 9

Tenure correspondence and articles 1975-1975

Photographs 7 undated

Scope and Contents

This series contains photographs amassed by Elayne Jones pertaining to her music career, travels and personal life.

Arrangement

Arranged in original order.

Box 10, folder 6

Photograph portraits and contact sheets undated

Box 10, folder 7

Photographs, personal undated

Box 10, folder 8

Photographs, personal travel undated

Box 20, folder 1

Photograph, oversize portrait, Elayne Jones playing timpani drums undated

Box 20, folder 2

Photograph, oversize portrait, Elayne Jones posing with timpani drums undated

Box 20, folder 3

Photograph, oversize portrait, Elayne Jones smiling undated

Sound and moving image recordings 8 1965-2011

Scope and Contents

This series contains recorded sound and moving images of Elayne Jones performing, being interviewed and lecturing dating from 1965-2011. Included are also commercial recordings that belonged to Elayne Jones.

Arrangement

Arranged into four subseries: Recorded sound featuring Elayne Jones; Recorded Sound, commercial recordings; Moving images featuring Elayne Jones; and Moving images, commercial recordings.

Recorded sound featuring Elayne Jones 1 1965-2011

Arrangement

Arranged in loose chronological order.

Scope and Contents

This subseries contains recordings of performances featuring Elayne Jones dating from 1965-2011. Included are performances with the American Symphony, the San Francisco Symphony and the San Francisco Opera.

Box 12, Item 1

Quarter inch tape, American Symphony, Young Peoples Concert 1965

Box 12, Item 2

Quarter inch tape, American Symphony, Sibelius Violin Conerto 1967

Box 12, Item 3

Quarter inch tape, American Symphony, Rachmaninoff 2nd Symphony 1967

Box 12, Item 4

Quarter inch tape, American Symphony, Tchaikovsky 5th Symphony 1967

Box 12, Item 5

Quarter inch tape, American Symphony, La Mer 1972

Box 12, Item 6

Quarter inch tape, American Symphony, Brahm Symphony 4 undated

Box 12, Item 7

Quarter inch tape, American Symphony, Beethoven 9th undated

Box 12, Item 8

Quarter inch tape, American Symphony, Beethoven 9th 2nd reel undated

Box 12, Item 9

Quarter inch tape, American Symphony, Hindemith and Mozart undated

Box 12, Item 10

Quarter inch tape, American Symphony rehesal undated

Box 12, Item 11

Quarter inch tape, San Francisco Symphony, Tchaikovsky Sympnony 2 1972

Box 12, Item 12

Quarter inch tape, San Francisco Symphony Ives, Beethoven, Rachmanioff, Mozart and Rossine 1973

Box 12, Item 13

Quarter inch tape, San Francisco Symphony, Mahler 9th 1974

Box 12, Item 14

Quarter inch tape, San Francisco Symphony 1974

Box 12, Item 15

Quarter inch tape, San Francisco Symphony, Don Giovanni 1975

Box 12, Item 16

Quarter inch tape, San Francisco Symphony, Enigma variations undated

Box 12, Item 17

Quarter inch tape, San Francisco Symphony, Rachmaninoff undated

Box 12, Item 18

Quarter inch tape, San Francisco Symphony, Otello undated

Box 12, Item 19

Quarter inch tape, San Francisco Symphony, Bernstein Serenade undated

Box 12, Item 20

Quarter inch tape, San Francisco Opera, Aida 1972

Box 12, Item 21

Quarter inch tape, San Francisco Opera, Walkere 1972

Box 12, Item 22

Quarter inch tape, San Francisco Opera, Norma 1972

Box 12, Item 23

Quarter inch tape, San Francisco Opera, Sigfried 1972

Box 12, Item 24

Quarter inch tape, San Francisco Opera, The Visit 1972

Box 12, Item 25

Quarter inch tape, San Francisco Opera, Salome 1975

Box 12, Item 26

Quarter inch tape, San Francisco Opera, Die Frau Ohne Shatten 1976

Box 12, Item 27

Quarter inch tape, San Francisco Opera, Katya Kabanova 1977

Box 12, Item 28

Quarter inch tape, San Francisco Opera, Das Rheingold 1977

Box 12, Item 29

Quarter inch tape, San Francisco Opera, Billy Budd 1978

Box 12, Item 30

Quarter inch tape, San Francisco Opera, Norma 1978

Box 12, Item 31

Quarter inch tape, San Francisco Opera, Lohengrin 1978

Box 12, Item 32

Quarter inch tape, San Francisco Opera, Nerther 1978

Box 12, Item 33

Quarter inch tape, San Francisco Opera, Der Rosenkaualier 1978

Box 12, Item 34

Quarter inch tape, San Francisco Opera, Der Rosenkaualier reel 2 1978

Box 12, Item 35

Quarter inch tape, San Francisco Opera, Der Fliegende Hollander 1979

Box 12, Item 36

Quarter inch tape, San Francisco Opera, Die Frau Ohne Shatten 1980

Box 13, Item 1

Quarter inch tape, San Francisco Opera, Brahms 1973

Box 13, Item 2

Quarter inch tape, San Francisco Opera, concert in Paris 1973

Box 13, Item 3

Quarter inch tape, San Francisco Opera, Andrea Chenier 1975

Box 13, Item 4

Quarter inch tape, San Francisco Opera, Pique Dame 1975

Box 13, Item 5

Quarter inch tape, San Francisco Opera, Gianni Schicchi, Norma 1975

Box 13, Item 6

Quarter inch tape, San Francisco Opera, KPFA 1976

Box 13, Item 7

Quarter inch tape, San Francisco Opera, Die Walkere 1976

Box 13, Item 8

Quarter inch tape, San Francisco Opera, Aida 1976

Box 13, Item 9

Quarter inch tape, San Francisco Opera, Thais 1977

Box 13, Item 10

Quarter inch tape, San Francisco Opera, Turandot 1977

Box 13, Item 11

Quarter inch tape, San Francisco Opera, Faust 1977

Box 13, Item 12

Quarter inch tape, San Francisco Opera, Die Frau Ihme Schatten 1976

Box 13, Item 13

Quarter inch tape, San Francisco Opera, Peter Grimes 1976

Box 13, Item 14

Quarter inch tape, San Francisco Opera, Masked Ball 1977

Box 13, Item 15

Quarter inch tape, San Francisco Opera, Samson and Dobbs 1980

Box 14, Item 1

Quarter inch tape, San Francisco Opera, Arabella 1980

Box 14, Item 2

Quarter inch tape, San Francisco Opera, Trisam und Isolde 1980

Box 14, Item 3

Quarter inch tape, San Francisco Opera, Norma 1982

Box 14, Item 4

Quarter inch tape, San Francisco Opera, Chorus Line

Box 14, Item 5

Quarter inch tape, San Francisco Opera, Darc Stern

Box 14, Item 6

Quarter inch tape, San Francisco Opera, Paul Robeson

Box 15, Item 1

Quarter inch tape, CBS Symphony

Box 15, Item 2

Quarter inch tape, Luisa Miller

Box 15, Item 3

Quarter inch tape, Histoire du soldat

Box 15, Item 5

Quarter inch tape, NPR Black Politician

Box 15, Item 6

Quarter inch tape, Turnadot

Box 15, Item 7

Quarter inch tape, Smphony orchestra Solomon

Box 15, Item 8