The Freddie Green Papers
Carl Severance, July 2002
After learning about the existence of the Freddie Green Papers, I decided
to visit the Caroliniana Library at the University of South Carolina on
June 25, 2002. At the time, I happened to be traveling nearby on vacation,
so I decided to make a detour to the city of Columbia. After registering
and signing in, I spent about 4 hours in the library archives reviewing
the collection donated by Freddie Green's children.
My intention was to gain a general overview of the materials contained
in the collection, since the library has not yet cataloged them in detail.
I was also looking for items that might further clarify Freddie Green
the man and his namesake guitar style. What I found was an astonishing
array of memorabilia, clippings, photos, and other paperwork; most of
which was probably removed from his apartment.
The majority and greatest variety of items had already been sorted, to
some extent, into numbered folders and placed in a single cardboard box
(Box 1). This box was full and measured approximately 12 inches wide,
10 inches tall, and 20" deep. A second box (Box 2) contained a thick
scrapbook/album and a few more numbered folders containing photographs
and a few concert programs. This box was the same size but was approximately
25% filled. There were also five "over-size" folders, each containing
a few large format documents or photographs.
As I got started, I quickly realized that I would not have time to handle
or make notes about every piece in the collection. Below is my simple
inventory of what is included, and where to find it. As you will see,
the list lacks the kind of detail that could be obtained from the collection
with more than the four hours I spent.
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Description:
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Empty folder with reference to the existence of 5 "oversized"
folders stored at the library
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Photocopies of various magazine and newsaper clippings and articles
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BMI publicity questionaire filled out by FG, a BMI newsletter
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FG's personal business card
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Certified mail reciepts for FG copyrights sent to Library of Congress
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Some letters and Christmas cards from fans, mostly from Europe
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Birthday and post cards from fans, friends
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Letter to Basie Organization from son Al thanking them for supporting
FG
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Photocopies of newspaper articles, newsletters from BMI, 10/58
Gretsch Artist Endorsement Agreement, 8/86 letter to Leonard Feather
offering an interview with FG
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Copy of FG death certificate: 3/1/87 2:15 AM "Spontanious
intracranial hemorrhage"
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Funeral program and a special thank you card from family, probably
after funeral
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Newspaper obituaries for FG., Copy of Los Angeles proclomation
of Freddie Green Day
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Cards and letters of condolence to FG's family
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Copy of 1940 Federal income tax return. $3276.84 from Basie, $1192
travel and uniform expenses
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Invitations and announcements, Queen of England, French Ambassador
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Thank you note for a donation to the Jenkin's Organization
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Program from the unveiling ceremony for Daniel Joseph Jenkins portait
in Charleston, SC
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Some medical reports from doctor visits, flu, etc.
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Hand written notes on improving golf technique (from a lesson?),
more newspaper/magazine articles, BMI newsletter
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Concert program "Porgy and Bess"
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Information fro musician's union
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Program from c. 1985 National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences
Grammy Nomination
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Church program from a Sunday service
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Royalty statements
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Customs forms
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FG US passports 1959, 1968, 1973, 1978
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Travel reciepts
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Souvenir travel stickers
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Access badges, backstage passes
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Magazine articles including: 10/63 Jazz Podium with FG on cover
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Magazine Articles including: 8/70 Jazz Journal "Condon+Green=Rhythm",
3/85 People Magazine, 8/87 Guitar Player "Mr Rhythm Remembered"
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Newspaper articles about Basie's death and obituaries
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4 issues of Red Bank Special, the Basie Org. newsletter. Volume
3, no.4 has FG oncover and article by Leonard Feather
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Pen drawings of Basie Band in concert
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Travel itineraties
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Membership and ID cards for clubs, organizations, and unions
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Hand written set lists and a note from son Al that FG led the band
for a breif period just after Basie's death
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Access badges for US Presidential inaugurations 1981, 1985
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Concert programs
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Printed sheet music (multiple parts) for Basie's "Royal Flush"
arranged by Charley Hathaway, copyright 1942. Head shots of Basie
band include. FG appear on folder cover
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Approximately 200 photos, black and white, color
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Concert programs
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"In Memory of Count Basie" scrap book of news articles
and obituaries. Includes 5/26/84 Amsterdam News article "Big
Question: Who'll be the new leader of Basie Band?"
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Newspaper articles from 1950's
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Newspaper articles, more recent
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Printed sheet music: lead sheet for FG's "Stop Breaking My
Heart" copyright 1957. Tenor Sax 2 part for FG's "Until
I Met You (Corner Pocket)" copyright 1956, 1981, 1982. Also
Playboy Jazz Poll certificates 1957, 1958, 1963. BMI affiliate certificate
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Thermafax copies or proofs of photos and articles. Signed photo
of FG and Ronald Reagan. Cover (only) of Downbeat "John S.
Wilson looks at History of Jazz Guitar" (no date)
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Some large format BW photos of Basie Band, FG
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If you choose to visit the USC campus to see the Freddie Green Papers
for yourself, be sure to call at least 24 hours in advance. The boxes
are stored off-site until requested. Papers are not allowed to leave the
reading room, but many items may be photocopied by the staff. Photocopying
costs thirty-five to fifty cents per page.
For more information about the Freddie Green Papers at the University
of South Carolina, please contact:
South Caroliniana Library
Manuscripts Division
University of South Carolina
Columbia, SC 29208
E-mail: fulmerh@gwm.sc.edu
Telephone: 803-777-5183
Fax: 803-777-5747
Web: http://www.sc.edu/library/socar/mnscrpts/index.html
http://www.sc.edu/library/socar/mnscrpts/greenfw.html
For additional descriptions of the Freddie Green Papers, visit the University
of South Carolina at these web sites:
The library's USCAN database entry describing the collection:
http://www.sc.edu/uscan/uscan2.html
(Note: this is not a direct link to the description. Once you're
at the page above, click on South Caroliniana Library link, then search
under "Author" and type in "Green Freddie 1911". The
appropriate link should then appear first in the list of authors)
A 1999 library newsletter announcing the acquisition of this collection:
http://www.sc.edu/library/socar/uscs/99autm/green.html
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