DACS

simpkinscuthbert Inventory of the Cuthbert Simpkins Interviews on John Coltrane, 1971-1974 Processed by: Jeremy Smith; machine-readable finding aid created by: Jeremy Smith David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library Duke University Durham, N.C., USA

Aleph Number: 004067787

Machine-readable finding aid derived from XML authoring program. Date of source: April 2009Processed by Jeremy Smith, April 2009; Finding Aid encoded by Jeremy Smith, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University, April 2009 Description is in English Finding aid was prepared using DACS and our local Style Guide Inventory of the Cuthbert Simpkins Interviews on John Coltrane, 1971-1974 David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library Duke University Durham, North Carolina 27708-0185 USA

Descriptive Summary David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University Simpkins, Cuthbert Ormond, 1947- Cuthbert Simpkins Interviews on John Coltrane, 1971-1974 Material in English 3.0 Linear Feet 65 original audiocassettes (with CD use copies for patron access) For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog. Author and medical doctor Cuthbert O. Simpkins (b. 1947) wrote the first biography of jazz saxophonist and composer John Coltrane (1926-1967), titled Coltrane: A Biography (Perth Amboy, NJ: Herndon House Publishers, 1975). The collection contains audio recordings of interviews Simpkins conducted with various family members, friends, and colleagues of Coltrane between 1971-1974 as a part of his research. Administrative Information Access Restrictions

Collection is open for research. However, collection may contain materials to which the Acknowledgment of Legal Responsibilities and Privacy Rights form applies. Patrons must sign this form before using this collection. Also, all or portions of this collection may be housed off-site in Duke University's Library Service Center. Consequently, there may be a 24-hour delay in obtaining these materials.

In addition, Box 1 (containing original audiocassettes) is CLOSED to patron use. CD use copies for all original audio material in the collection are located in Box 2 and are open to patron use.

Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library to use this collection.

The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to Duke University. For more information, consult the copyright section of the Regulations and Procedures of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Cuthbert Simpkins Interviews on John Coltrane, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University

Provenance

The Cuthbert Simpkins Interviews on John Coltrane were received by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library as a gift in December 2008.

Processing Information

Processed by Jeremy Smith, April 2009

Encoded by Jeremy Smith, April 2009

Accession 2008-0299 is described in this finding aid.

Descriptive sources and standards used to create this inventory: DACS, EAD, NCEAD guidelines, and our local Style Guide.

This finding aid is NCEAD compliant.

Biographical Note

Author and medical doctor Cuthbert O. Simpkins (b. 1947) wrote the first biography of jazz saxophonist and composer John Coltrane (1926-1967), titled Coltrane: A Biography (Perth Amboy, NJ: Herndon House Publishers, 1975). Coltrane was born in Hamlet, N.C., and his family moved to High Point in 1927, where he lived until 1943. Beginning in the mid-1940s, he regularly performed on tenor saxophone as a sideman, including stints in bands led by Jimmy Heath, Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis, and Thelonious Monk. By the early 1960s, Coltrane was leading his own ensembles, including an influential quartet with McCoy Tyner, Jimmy Garrison, and Elvin Jones. As a saxophonist, he brought renewed attention to the soprano saxophone in the 1960s, and as a composer and an improviser, Coltrane contributed to a number of harmonic and melodic innovations in jazz.

Collection Overview

The Cuthbert Simpkins Interviews on John Coltrane comprises 65 audio cassettes of interviews conducted by Simpkins between 1971-1974 while researching his 1975 biography of Coltrane. Simpkins interviewed family members, friends, musicians, and other associates from throughout Coltrane's career. The interviews address such topics as: Coltrane's family history, his childhood in North Carolina, the development of his musical style, his influence on other musicians, and his personality. Many also contain personal anecdotes related to Coltrane from throughout his life. The materials include multiple interviews with Calvin Massey, Jimmy Garrison, Larry Young (Khalid Yasin), Ornette Coleman, and others. The audiocassettes have been digitized for patron access, and portions of some interviews have been transcribed, with the transcriptions included in the collection.

Subject Headings

These are searchable subject entries for this collection. Performing a search on these subjects in the Duke University Libraries online catalog will bring up other related research materials.

Audiocassettes. Coleman, Ornette. Coltrane, John, 1926-1967. Coltrane, John, 1926-1967--Biography. Compact discs. Garrison, Jimmy. Jazz. Jazz--1941-1950. Jazz--1951-1960. Jazz--1961-1970. Jazz--History and criticism. Jazz musicians. Jazz musicians--Interviews. Jones, Elvin. Massey, Cal, 1927-1972. Saxophonists--United States--Biography. Simpkins, Cuthbert Ormond, 1947- Tyner, McCoy. Young, Larry, 1940-1978. Related Material David Tegnell Interviews on John Coltrane David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University Contents of Collection Audio Recordings of Interviews, 1971-1974 2 Boxes

Interviewee names and interview dates are taken directly from written information on the original cassettes.

RESTRICTIONS: Box 1, containing original audio cassettes, is CLOSED to patron use. CD use copies are open to patrons and are available in Box 2.

1 Original Audio Cassettes 101-165

CLOSED TO PATRON USE

2CD Use Copies of all Audio Material

This box contains CD use copies for all original audio material in the collection. Additionally, it contains a folder with more detailed descriptions of the file naming scheme and the relationship between the original media and the digital files. The folder also contains all currently available interview transcriptions, which are noted below.

1Interview transcripts and information

Contains partial transcriptions of some of the interviews, noted below. Also contains additional details about the interviews and the file naming scheme.

1JAD-2008-0299-101ATrack 1 - Interview with Pete LaRocca, 16 mins, July 5, 1972 JAD-2008-0299-102ATrack 2 - Interview with Dr. James C. Morgan, 7 mins, no date