The Johnson Archive Collection Transferred to the
Institute of Jazz Studies & Rutgers Univ. Libraries

Article fom "The StrideSetter Newletter", (Vol. 2, Issue 1), By Jeremy Murphy

The estate of James P. Johnson and the JPJ Foundation have completed negotiations with The Institute of Jazz Studies (IJS) located on the campus of Rutgers University Libraries (located in Johnson's state of birth, New Jersey) to transfer Johnson's original papers and other historical materials to their libraries for preservation and incorporation into their current vast collection.

The Institute of Jazz Studies is the largest and most comprehensive archive of Jazz and Jazz-related materials in the world. Their overall mission is to promote, preserve, and extend the heritage of this unique American art form. IJS was founded in 1952 by Marshall Stearns (1908-1966), a pioneer Jazz scholar. In 1966, Rutgers was chosen as the collection's permanent academic home.

Barry Glover Sr., the founder and director of the JPJ Foundation said, "It is an honor to have the chief authority in Jazz history have such a pivotal role in further preserving my grandfathers musical legacy". Materials transferred date from the 1920's through the 1950's, and range from original paper materials to framed photographic pieces to musical manuscripts. Mr. Glover went on to say, "The collection includes original handwritten scores, correspondence, autobiographical writings, published and unpublished scores, and many other historic items."

Edward Berger, the Associate Director of IJS, spoke of the significance of the transfer: "The Institute is extremely proud and grateful to have been selected as the repository for the James P. Johnson Collection. It is among the two or three most significant acquisitions to come to IJS in the past two decades and we plan to work closely with the (James P. Johnson) Foundation to ensure that James P. Johnson is recognized for his essential contributions to American music". Mr. Berger noted, "Johnson's New Jersey roots make this collection especially meaningful to us at Rutgers."

"It's only fitting that my grandfathers materials end up where it all started for him over a century ago", said Mr. Glover.

Meet the Administration of The Institute of Jazz Studies
Dan Morgenstern (Director) is a noted jazz historian and former editor of Down Beat. His many publications include Jazz People, and he has won six Grammy awards for his album notes. A former trustee of NARAS, Morgenstern served on the Jazz Panel of the NEA. He has taught jazz history at Brooklyn College, New York University, the Peabody Institute, and Rutgers.

Edward Berger (Associate Director) is a graduate of Indiana University and has an M.L.S. from Rutgers. He is co-author of Benny Carter: A Life in American Music, Reminiscing in Tempo, and Bassically Speaking: An Oral History of George Duvivier. He serves as record producer and road manager for Benny Carter.

To learn more about IJS and their historic Jazz collection,

Visit their Website at: http://newarkwww.rutgers.edu/IJS/