The Civil Rights History Project: Survey of Collections and Repositories

University of the District of Columbia. Felix E. Grant Jazz Archives

University of the District of Columbia; 4200 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Bldg. 41-A
Washington, District of Columbia 20008

Email: [email protected]

Fax: 202-274-6012

Phone: 202-274-5265

Repository URL: http://www.lrdudc.wrlc.org/jazz/

Repository description (extant): In 1988, Robert N. Felder initiated the efforts to establish a jazz archives at the University after Felix E. Grant, the internationally renowned jazz authority and radio personality, offered to donate his collection of sound recordings, books and periodicals to the University. This collection includes the interviews of jazz artists and personalities taped by Mr. Grant during his years as a radio broadcaster. Mrs. June D. Grant has continued to donate materials to the collection which to date include a personal collection of Felix Grant memorabilia, as well as correspondence, promotional materials, radio program logs, liner notes, lectures, reviews, concert programs, magazine and newspaper articles, awards, commendations, posters, and a unique collection of photographs.

In 1997, WDCU-FM's collection was added to the Archives, which includes commercially issued sound recordings, recordings from National Public Radio programs, as well as interviews and shows by WDCU hosts and programmers. Other materials in the collection include books, periodicals, posters, promotional material, business correspondence, concert programs, newspaper clippings, scrapbooks, awards, commendations and photographs. The Archives also houses materials that support the curriculum and document the history of the Jazz Studies Program at the University. These collections along with the contributions of several other individuals, have enhanced the extensive assets of the Archives, which in addition to the vast holdings of sound recordings and other published materials, include unique resources that not only highlight jazz artists and document jazz activities, sites and events in the Washington, D.C. area, but seen through a broader perspective -- document the history of the city and University.

The Felix E. Grant Jazz Archives moved to larger quarters within the University's Learning Resources Division (LRD) in 1998. The recent renovation of the Archives provides a state-of-the-art facility for one of the greatest treasures at the University. The ongoing cataloging of the materials will add to the research database accessible through ALADIN--a multi-platform digital library system maintained by the Washington Research Library Consortium (WRLC). The Felix E. Grant Collection--which includes Felix Grant's radio interviews of jazz artists and personalities (in streaming audio format) as well as a selection of photographs and associated resources from the collection--forms part of the WRLC Libraries Digital and Special Collections.

The Archives are maintained by the Jazz Studies Program, College of Arts and Sciences, and the Learning Resources Division.

Repository type: University Special Collection

Collections:

Felix E. Grant radio interviews