Jan Shapiro collection of Boswell Sisters oral history interviews and transcripts
Creator
Dates
- 1958-1989
Scope and Contents
The collection is comprised primarily of oral history interviews conducted and transcribed by Jan Shapiro with funding support from the National Endowment for the Arts in 1987. She interviewed numerous professional and personal associates of Connee Boswell—including her sister Helvetia “Vet” and brother-in-law Ben Leedy—as well as noted singers Bob Crosby and Joe Williams. Shapiro recorded these interviews on ninetyminute normal bias audio cassettes, making written transcriptions of each. She additionally transcribed radio interviews of Connee Boswell from 1958 and 1975.
Shapiro’s collection also includes a discography compiled by fellow Boswell researcher David McCain, clippings dating from as early as 1935, and transcriptions of “Heebie Jeebie Blues” and “Crazy People.” The Jan Shapiro Collection contains twenty audio cassettes and their corresponding written transcripts, scholarly essays, music
transcription, and discographies.
Extent
1 Linear Feet (2 boxes)
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for use. The audiovisual media in the collection are currently open for visual inspection only. Access copies for listening and/or viewing may be created on request, if possible. Contact the Institute for details or to make a request.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Jan Shapiro donated her research collection to the Institute of Jazz Studies in March 1990. The Institute’s holdings comprise approximately one quarter of her Boswell Sisters research, with remaining portions stored at Tulane University’s Hogan Jazz Archives, Berklee College of Music, and Howard University.
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
The Jan Shapiro Collection of the Boswell Sisters Oral History Interviews and Transcripts includes documents pertaining to Shapiro’s research on the famous singing group. The collection is comprised of audio cassettes and written transcripts of interviews, scholarly essays, discographies, music transcription and analysis, and newspaper clippings.
Biographical / Historical
Jan Shapiro was born May 10, 1949 in St. Louis, Missouri. In the mid-1970s, she received a Bachelor of Music Education from Howard University. After teaching voice at Southern Illinois University and Fontbonne University, Shapiro continued her studies at New England Conservatory before earning a Master’s Degree in Music Education from Cambridge College. A multi-instrumentalist, Shapiro has toured and recorded principally as a vocalist. She sang at the 1989 Boston Globe Jazz Festival, and served as chair of the Berklee College of Music Voice department from 1997–2010.
Arrangement
The Jan Shapiro Collection is arranged in one series and two sub-series.
Series 1. Jan Shapiro Interviews and Research, 1958–1989
Subseries 1.a. Cassette Interviews
Subseries 1.b. Interview Transcripts and Research Papers
Creator
- Title
- Guide to the Jan Shapiro collection of Boswell Sisters oral history interviews and transcripts
- Author
- Beck, Steve
- Date
- 2014
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Part of the Institute of Jazz Studies Repository
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