Sonny Burke papers, circa 1949-1951 and undated

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Summary

Creator:
Burke, Sonny, 1914-1980
Extent:
4 Linear Feet (5 flat boxes; 76 complete big band charts)
5 flat boxes 76 complete big band charts
Language:
English.
Collection ID:
RL.00175

Background

Scope and content:

The Sonny Burke Collection (chiefly undated, but some dated between Nov., 1949 and June, 1951) has as its focal point 76 arrangements of popular music for "Big Band." These charts were used by Burke's band during the 1940's-1950's for performances in the United States and Mexico. Most of the arrangements appear to be by Sonny Burke, but other composers/arrangers include: Frank Erickson, Hal Schaefer, Stan Kenton, John Valentine Eppel, Laurindo Almeida, and Ray Conniff. Some of the arrangements were made for recordings on the Decca Records label. The most common instrumentation is for two alto saxophones/clarinets, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, four trumpets and four trombones, although other combinations exist. The instrumentation is noted for each title in the Container List.

Biographical / historical:
Chronology
Date Event
1914, March 22
Born Joseph Francis Burke in Scranton, Pennsylvania
1937
Graduated from Duke University
1930's to 1940's
Big band leader in New York (including Sam Donahue's band)
1940's to 1950's
Active as an arranger & bandleader in major recording studios, including Decca Records; Burke was musical director of Reprise Records and was responsible for many of Frank Sinatra's albums
Bandleader for recordings of leading singers such as Ella Fitzgerald and Mel Torme.
Band arranger, including Charlie Spivak & Jimmy Dorsey bands
Is credited as co-composer of Midnight Sun, the Lionel Hampton tune with lyrics by Johnny Mercer.
1980, May 31
Died

  • Sonny Burke plays Mambos (1951)
  • Sonny Burke and his Orchestra I & II (1951)
  • The Sonny Burke-Don Elliott Six (ca. 1960)

Further biographical information may be found in: The Guinness Encyclopedia of Popular Music.Chester, CT: New England Pub. Associates. 1992, v. 1, p. 368.

Acquisition information:
The papers of Sonny Burke were acquired by Duke University in 1987.
Processing information:

Processed by: Lois Schultz

Completed July 11, 1996

Encoded by Stephen Douglas Miller

Arrangement:

The collection is arranged alphabetically by the title of the musical work, with the parts arranged in the score order described above. for each title, information about composer, arranger, and copyist is noted where available; "chart" number in the individual instrumental "books" or folders; instrumentation; date (where available); and provenance. The names of players are noted on the miscellaneous line where they are indicated on the parts. The miscellaneous folder contains unidentified works, single parts, programs, and a ticket for one of the concerts. All of the material consists of preservation photocopies of the originals, which were not retained.

Physical location:
For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Subjects

Click on terms below to find related finding aids on this site. For other related materials in the Duke University Libraries, search for these terms in the Catalog.

Subjects:
Jazz -- 1951-1960
Jazz -- 1941-1950
Jazz musicians
Big bands -- United States
Big band music
Names:
Decca Records (Firm)
Burke, Sonny, 1914-1980
Burke, Sonny, 1914-1980

Contents

Using These Materials

Using These Materials Links:

Using These Materials

Restrictions:

Collection is open for research.

Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection.

All or portions of this collection may be housed off-site in Duke University's Library Service Center. The library may require up to 48 hours to retrieve these materials for research use.

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

Terms of access:

The copyright interests in the Sonny Burke Collection have not been transferred to Duke University. The user is advised that rights for performance may be retained by the original composer and/or original arranger. For further information, see the section on copyright in the Regulations and Procedures of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library.

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