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Weber (Mark) Jazz collection
PASC-M.0250
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Contributing Institution:
UCLA Library Special Collections
Title: Mark Weber Jazz collection
Creator:
Weber, Mark
Identifier/Call Number: PASC-M.0250
Physical Description:
18.0 linear feet
(36 boxes and 211 digital images)
Date (inclusive): 1970-2005
Abstract: The collection consists of photographs taken by Mark Weber relating to the experimental jazz musicians during the 1970's -
1990's, predominant focus on photos taken in Los Angeles from 1976-1985. Also included are notes, clippings, interview transcripts,
correspondence, programs, flyers and articles.
Physical Location: Stored off-site. All requests to access special collections material must be made in advance using the request button located
on this page.
Language of Material: Materials are in English.
Open for research. All requests to access special collections materials must be made in advance using the request button located
on this page.
Restrictions on Use and Reproduction
Property rights to the physical objects belong to UCLA Library Special Collections. All other rights, including copyright,
are retained by the creators and their heirs. It is the responsibility of the researcher to determine who holds the copyright
and pursue the copyright owner or his or her heir for permission to publish where The UC Regents do not hold the copyright.
Provenance/Source of Acquisition
Gift of Mark Weber; 2005.
UCLA Catalog Record ID:
9954687183606533
[Identification of item], Mark Weber Jazz Collection (Collection Number PASC 250-M). UCLA Library Special Collections, Charles
E. Young Research Library, University of California, Los Angeles.
Processed by Allegra Gonzalez.
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"It would be a major disservice to a great art form to contain it within a defined orthodoxy. Without a definition it radiates
outward. Nor would I care to venture a speculation as to what jazz is. I'm not too locked in on the word "jazz" anyway. If
a cat (or kitty) can play, then he can play. Jazz is not a type of music, it is not a specific form or catagory. Jazz is a
manner in which music is played. Jazz is the way you play the music, not the music that is played. Jazz is the original Free
Form. It continues to evolve." -- Mark Weber.
Weber was born October 21, 1953 in Covina, Californa. His family came to California from Kansas in 1940 as part of the Great
Depression/ Dustbowl migration and settled in Pomona. His interest in music began early on as he played country and folk guitar
with his step-grandfather, Harry Matthew, for family functions. Weber grew up in the suburbs of Los Angeles and graduated
from Upland High School in 1972. The jazz influence came about through listening to records and the radio. By the time he
graduated, he was a "confirmed jazz & blues & avant garde musics devotee." In high school, Weber credits photography and his
photography teacher, Jefferey Cole, with getting him through high school. In the 1970's and 80's, Mark Weber was witness to
the experimental jazz scene in Los Angeles and recorded musicians and venues through photography as both devotee and friend.
Writing has been the focus of Weber's artistic direction. His first major literary work was a seven page letter "concerning
the state of the house" to his mother. Weber wrote for his high school newspaper in 1971, but it wasn't until after his involvement
with the Los Angeles jazz scene that he became caught up in chapbooks. He and poet/musician Gerald Locklin have published
a number of well-received chapbooks.Weber's poetry has become the focal point of his life, although he sees no disconnect
between music and poetry believing a good poet must be influenced by music. "So, let's just say that by and large, I'm scared
to know what music poets listen to, in terms of music. It's not really their fault, they've been brainwashed by the industry.
It's rare to find people who actually pay close enough attention to music to be knowing about it.You can hear it in their
poems. Clunky. No flow. no ideas or development of ideas. All the poets who are influenced by Bukowski went to the liquor
store, but did they listen to Mahler? Or Borodin? Bukowski was a romantic. You never heard him digging Bach/Baroque music
and you never heard him speak of 20th century music -- it would have been great if he got some Ives, Cowell, Schoenberg, Webern,
Berg, Bartok into his ears -- whew, he would have soared even more. Gerald Locklin can play the piano! He's a piano playing
[expletive]. And it shows in his writings. And it shows in what he listens to. Ron Androla plays congas and listens far and
wide. Fred Voss digs the blues. Todd Moore digs Mozart. These guys write their butts off. I've just always had high expectations
for poets -- that they were a little more musically hip. But it hasn't always been my experience." -- Mark Weber
Weber has written poems, short stories, book reviews and for several music magazines. In June of 1976, his first monthly column
in the international jazz music magazine, CODA, was published. He continued to write for CODA until 1990. Weber has since
moved to New Mexico with his wife Janet Simon and publishes chapbooks by ZerxPress, a publishing house he started in Upland
in 1983. In 1995, ZerxPress began publishing CDs as well. These days, Mark Weber paints and rennovates houses in New Mexico,
publishes and DJ's a jazz show on KUNM every Thursday afternoon.
Collection consists of photographs taken by Mark Weber relating to the experimental jazz musicians during the 1970's - 1990's,
predominant focus on photos taken in Los Angeles from 1976-1985. Also includes notes, clippings, interview transcripts, correspondence,
programs, flyers and articles.
The collection is organized into the following series:
- Series 1. Mark Weber's description of Photographs, 1975-1976
- Series 2. Mark Weber's research files
- Series 3. Photographs
- Series 4. Research files
- Series 5. Mark Weber's other endeavors
- Series 6. Related Material
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Jazz musicians -- California -- Los Angeles.
Weber, Mark--Archives