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Finding Aid for the Mark Weber Jazz Collection, 1970-2005
250
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Title: Mark Weber Jazz Collection,
Date (inclusive): 1970-2005
Collection number: 250
Creator: Weber,
Mark
Extent:
14 linear feet: 36 document boxes
211 digital images
Repository:
University of California, Los Angeles. Library.
Performing Arts Special Collections
Los Angeles, California 90095-1575
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 at SRLF. Advance notice is required for access to the collection. Please contact UCLA Library Special Collections
for paging information.
Open for research. STORED OFF-SITE AT SRLF. Advance notice is required for access to the collection. Please contact UCLA Library
Special Collections for paging information.
Restrictions on Use and Reproduction
Property rights to the physical object belong to the UC Regents. Literary 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.
[Identification of item], Mark Weber Jazz Collection, 250, UCLA Library Special Collections, University of California, Los
Angeles.
Provenance/Source of Acquisition
Gift of Mark Weber; 2005.
"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
The following terms have been used to index the description of this
collection in the library's online public access catalog.
Weber,
Mark--Archives
Jazz musicians--California--Los
Angeles