Leeds College of Music: Jazz Archive

Leeds College of Music’s Jazz Archive, opened by Digby Fairweather in 1990, holds a wide range of recordings, printed music and memorabilia. In addition there is a valuable collection of periodicals (some indexed), biographical files, manuscripts, books and student dissertations. Also taking pride of place in the Archive is an original chalk portrait of Duke Ellington, drawn by Yorkshire artist Jacob Kramer during the Duke’s 1933 visit to Britain.

All materials in the Archive are for reference purposes only and nothing may be taken from the room. However listening facilities and study spaces are available to allow you to make full use of the resources.

The collection is currently being added to the College’s Library catalogue, available here

OPENING HOURS

The archive is open whenever the library is open.

• Newspaper cuttings collected by former Melody Maker journalist Chris Hayes.
• Diaries, manuscripts and other papers of drummer Max Abrams.
• Manuscripts of the late bandleader Ronnie Aldrich.
• Approximately 5,000 hours of recordings of Duke Ellington (some of which have never been made available commercially).
• Music and manuscripts collected by the drummer Joe Daniels.
• A number of jazz enthusiasts’ lifelong collections of vinyl and CD recordings which have been donated to the Archive.

• Blue Light (Duke Ellington Society journal): 1997 -

• Crescendo: Dec 1962 -

• Downbeat: 1961 -

• Jazz and Blues: April - Dec 1973

• Jazz Changes: 1999 -

• Jazz Journal International: 1949 -

• Jazz Magazine: Sept 1994 – Dec 1997

• Jazz Magazine International: Aug 1994 -

• Jazz Player: Feb/Mar 1995 – Dec 1997/Jan 1998

• Jazz Podium: June 1995 – June 1997

• Jazziz: 1998 -

• Jazzwise: April 1997 –

• Just Jazz Guitar: Feb 1995 –

• Melody Maker: 1944-1946

• Mississippi Rag: Nov 1981 – Oct 1983

NB Current issues of periodicals are displayed in the main library.

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