Papers of Stanley Dance and Helen Oakley Dance
Scope and Contents
The Papers of Stanley Dance and Helen Oakley Dance are an important resource for the study of 20th-century jazz history in the United States. Of particular interest are transcripts from interviews with a number of jazz musicians, a large selection of photographs, and sound recordings, many of which are unique. Most – but not all – of the material having to do with Earl Hines and Duke Ellington can be found in their respective series. Researchers are advised to examine other series for additional material.
Perhaps the greatest limitation of the Papers is the lack of material from Helen Oakley Dance's career before 1950. This likely has to do with her moves across the Atlantic, and time spent in military service. Researchers are advised to consult the oral history collections listed under Associated Materials.
Dates
- 1920 - 1998
Creator
Conditions Governing Access
The Papers are open for research, with the exception of the sound recordings, which are currently in process.
Conditions Governing Use
Copyright status for collection materials is unknown. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.) beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. Works not in the public domain cannot be commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owners. Responsibility for any use rests exclusively with the user.
Arrangement
The arrangement of the Dance Papers relies heavily on the original order of the collection. The Papers are divided into the following series: I. Writings and interviews; II. Files, research materials, programs and posters; III. Clippings; IV. Photographs; V. Correspondence; VI. Materials related to Earl Hines; VII. Materials related to Duke Ellington; VIII. Sound Recordings; and IX Videocassettes.
Extent
37 Linear Feet (85 containers)
Language of Materials
English
Catalog Record
A record for this collection is available in Orbis, the Yale University Library catalog
Persistent URL
Abstract
The Papers of Stanley Dance and Helen Oakley Dance are an important resource for the study of 20th-century jazz history in the United States. Of particular interest are transcripts from interviews with a number of jazz musicians, a large selection of photographs, and sound recordings – many of which are unique. Most – but not all – of the material having to do with Earl Hines and Duke Ellington can be found in their respective series. Researchers are advised to examine other series for additional material.
Biographical / Historical
Stanley Dance (1910-1999) and Helen Oakley Dance (1913-2001) were jazz critics, writers and producers. They married in 1947, having met in New York years earlier, at which time Helen was producing jazz recordings for Irving Mills. Helen Oakley began her career by moving from her native Toronto to Chicago in the early 1930s, where she covered the jazz scene for the fledgling Downbeat magazine. She also founded the Chicago Rhythm Club, which hosted performances by the Benny Goodman Trio and Duke Ellington, among others. Oakley was also producing recordings for various jazz artists, which she continued to do in New York, for Irving Mills. In 1939, she began working for Duke Ellington. During World War II, Helen Oakley joined the Office of Strategic Services and worked in North Africa. After her military service, she moved to England and married Stanley Dance. She spent the next two decades raising a family, before moving to the US and continuing her writing and producing career.
Stanley Dance, born in England, first wrote about jazz in the French journal Jazz hot. After moving to the U.S., he wrote several books and contributed regularly to publications such as Metronome, Saturday Review, and Jazz Journal. Dance conducted interviews with dozens of jazz musicians, and these interviews constitute several of his books and articles. He had a particularly close relationship with Duke Ellington, with whom he prepared Music is My Mistress, Ellington's autobiography.
Separated Materials
Approximately 50 non-rare commercial videotapes have been separated from the collection.
- Title
- Guide to the Stanley Dance and Helen Oakley Dance Papers
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- compiled by Emily DiLeo, with the assistance of Richard Boursy, Jacob Fewx and Nicholas Serrambana
- Date
- June 2018
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description note
- Finding aid written in English.
Part of the Gilmore Music Library Repository
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