Research Catalog

Title

Sy Oliver papers, [ca. 1933-1990].

Author

Oliver, Sy.

Supplementary Content

Finding Aid

Items in the Library & Off-site

Details

Additional Authors

• Berlin, Irving, 1888-1989.
• Clark, Lillian, -1996.
• Dorsey, Tommy, 1905-1956.
• Ellington, Duke, 1899-1974.
• Lunceford, Jimmie.
• Porter, Cole, 1891-1964.
• Rome, Harold, 1908-1993.
• Styne, Jule, 1905-1994.
• Tommy Dorsey Band.
• New York Jazz Repertory Company.

Description

24.5 linear ft. (97 boxes).

Summary

The bulk of the Sy Oliver papers contain musical scores and parts for works which Oliver composed or arranged. Numerous arrangements exist for the Jimmy Lunceford orchestra and Tommy Dorsey band, as well as recording projects of the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s (among them the album "Sy Oliver Backstage"). There are several arrangements Oliver did for other bands, such as Fletcher Henderson, Erskine Hawkins, and Jimmy Webb. Sy Oliver's own compositions are well represented, including unpublished and little-known works. Also included are arrangements made for or used for the 1974 performances of the New York Jazz Repertory Company, as well as many arrangements used on European tours of the 1970s and those used at the Rainbow Room in New York City.

Subjects

• Popular music > 1971-1980
• Popular music > 1941-1950
• Popular music > 1961-1970
• Swing (Music)
• Big band music > Scores and parts
• Popular music > 1931-1940
• Popular instrumental music
• Popular music > 1951-1960

Additional Formats (note)

• Also available on microform from this collection;

Source (note)

• Lillian Clark Oliver (Mrs. Sy Oliver)

Location of Other Archival Materials (note)

• Smithsonian Institution.

Biography (note)

• Sy Oliver was an arranger, composer, singer, trumpet player, and band leader.

Indexes/Finding Aids (note)

• Finding aid available in repository.

Processing Action (note)

• Cataloged

Call Number

JPB 96-23

OCLC

NYPW99-A34

Author

Oliver, Sy.

Title

Sy Oliver papers, [ca. 1933-1990].

Additional Formats

Folders 50, 67, 271, 1322 Also available on microform from this collection; service copy number: *ZB-4323

Folders 13, 26, 64, 98, 126, 599, 1053, 1072, 1269, 1353, 1373 Also available on microform from this collection; service copy number: *ZB-4326

Biography

Sy Oliver was an arranger, composer, singer, trumpet player, and band leader. He was born Melvin James Oliver on December 17, 1910 in Battle Creek, Michigan, but moved to Zanesville, Ohio in his youth. Both parents were music teachers and Oliver learned trumpet at a young age. He took up arranging as a way to prove his harmonic theories. By 1932 he was associated with Alphonso Trent's territory band. From 1933 through 1939 he was associated with Jimmie Lunceford and his orchestra, working as sideman on trumpet, arranger, vocalist on novelties, and performing with the Lunceford Trio. He is responsible for creating not only that band's unique sound during its heyday in the 1930s, but is also credited with forming the swing sound.

In 1939 he began an association with the Tommy Dorsey Band, where he composed and arranged many of that band's famous numbers. In 1943 he left the Dorsey band for two years of U.S. Army service, where he served as bandmaster, receiving an honorable discharge in 1945. He led his own orchestra between 1946-47. Thereafter he continued arrranging for many groups, and soloists, including the Mills Brothers and Frank Sinatra. He published a small book in 1949, "Sy Oliver's self-instructor arranging course." In the 1950s and 60s he was involved in numerous recordings, not only stereo re-recordings of his Lunceford and Dorsey arrangements, but also new arrangements.

In the 1960's and 1970's he toured with his own band in Paris (once again playing trumpet after many years, as well as flugelhorn and vibraphone), and appeared at several clubs in New York. He first began to perform at the Rainbow Room with his own ensemble during this time. It was an association that was to last until 1984. Sy Oliver died on May 28, 1988.

Sy Oliver met his wife, vocalist Lillian Clark (born Autilia Ventimiglia, December 19, 1925) while they were both appearing with the Tommy Dorsey Band in the early 1940s. Many of his arrangements included vocal groups for which Lillian was a member. Lillian Clark Oliver died on August 20, 1996.

Location of Other Archival Materials

Sy Oliver Collection; another portion located at: Smithsonian Institution.

Indexes

Finding aid available in repository.

Connect to:

Request Access to Music & Recorded Sound Division Special Collections material

NYPL Digital Collections

Finding Aid

Added Author

Berlin, Irving, 1888-1989.

Clark, Lillian, -1996.

Dorsey, Tommy, 1905-1956.

Ellington, Duke, 1899-1974.

Lunceford, Jimmie.

Porter, Cole, 1891-1964.

Rome, Harold, 1908-1993.

Styne, Jule, 1905-1994.

Tommy Dorsey Band.

New York Jazz Repertory Company.

Research Call Number

JPB 96-23