Research Catalog

Oral history interview with Marian McPartland.

Title
Oral history interview with Marian McPartland.
Publication
New York : Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, 1996.

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Details

Additional Authors
  • McPartland, Marian
  • Murray, James Briggs
  • Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture.
  • Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. Louis Armstrong Jazz Oral History Project.
Description
2 videodiscs (118 min.) : sound, color; 4 3/4 in.
Summary
The oral history interview with Marian McPartland begins with her childhood. She recalls a family-owned music store and playing piano at 3. Her mother played classical music and Marian herself began with Chopin waltzes. At 17 she enrolled in London's Guildhall School of Music. Until then her formal music education had been restricted to the violin. Although Guildhall's focus was on classical music, in her free time she played Fats Waller, Duke Ellington and Teddy Wilson; learned fingering techniques and began composing for piano. Left Guildhall to join Billy Mayerl's four-piano vaudeville act (Billy Mayerl and His Claviers); toured England and recorded for Decca. WWII: joined ENSA and entertained troops throughout Europe. Talks about meeting Jimmy McPartland and performing with him in USO service shows (Belgium/1944). She married McPartland in 1945 and, the following year, moved to the US. Talks about NYC, Chicago, and meeting Louis Armstrong, Mary Lou Williams, Billie Holiday, Ellington, Gene Krupa and the De Paris brothers; labored over arrangement of Bix Beiderbecke's In a mist; and learned that Jimmy had a drinking problem. Established her own trio, most often performing at the Hickory House (NYC/1950s). The trio performed opposite Eddie Heywood and with Roy Eldridge and Coleman Hawkins. Discusses Duke Ellington, his book (Music is my mistress/1973) and his participation in her jazz education work. Mentions Billy Taylor's parallel efforts to educate the young: Jazz Mobile and Taylor Made Piano. Talks about Louis Armstrong as a performer and person. Then, at length, about her nationally syndicated radio series Piano jazz; guests included Bill Evans, Dave Brubeck, Benny Carter, Dizzy Gillespie, Alice Coltrane, etc. Continues with discussion of the famous Art Kane photograph, featuring herself and other jazz greats of the period (1958); subsequent Jean Bach film, A great day in Harlem (a documentary based on Kane's photograph); and Kane's suicide. Mentions Elvis Presley and his adaptation of old rhythm & blues tunes (referred to as "race music"). Talks about Wynton Marsalis, Herbie Hancock, Pat Metheny, and, through adaptation of traditional arrangements, leaving a legacy of jazz. Proceeds to discuss her book, All in good time (1987) and her attempt to write an autobiography; also discusses Ambiance, a composition produced by her label Halcyon (1970). Concludes the interview by playing a tribute to Mary Lou Williams titled Threnody.
Subjects
Genre/Form
  • Oral histories.
  • Interviews.
Note
  • Marian McPartland also performs piano excerpts.
Funding (note)
  • The Louis Armstrong Jazz Oral History Project was funded by the Louis Armstrong Educational Foundation, Inc.
Terms of Use (note)
  • Permission required to cite, quote and reproduce; contact repository for information.
Biography (note)
  • Marian McPartland is a pianist, composer, record producer, writer and educator. Born Marian Margaret Turner in Windsor, Eng. (Berkshire), she began playing piano as a small child. Initially trained in the classical tradition, she became an important jazz pianist, collaborating with husband Jimmy McPartland and forming her own trio. Concerned about the legacy of jazz, much of her later professional life has focused on educating young children about this musical genre.
Linking Entry (note)
  • Forms part of: Louis Armstrong Jazz Oral History Project.
Call Number
Sc Visual DVD-1066
OCLC
903959744
Title
Oral history interview with Marian McPartland.
Publisher
New York : Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, 1996.
Type of Content
two-dimensional moving image
Type of Medium
video
Type of Carrier
videodisc
Digital File Characteristics
video file DVD
Biography
Marian McPartland is a pianist, composer, record producer, writer and educator. Born Marian Margaret Turner in Windsor, Eng. (Berkshire), she began playing piano as a small child. Initially trained in the classical tradition, she became an important jazz pianist, collaborating with husband Jimmy McPartland and forming her own trio. Concerned about the legacy of jazz, much of her later professional life has focused on educating young children about this musical genre.
Performer
Interviewer, James Briggs Murray.
Event
Recorded August 27, 1996, at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, New York.
Funding
The Louis Armstrong Jazz Oral History Project was funded by the Louis Armstrong Educational Foundation, Inc.
Linking Entry
Forms part of: Louis Armstrong Jazz Oral History Project.
Terms Of Use
Permission required to cite, quote and reproduce; contact repository for information.
Connect to:
Request Access to Schomburg Moving Images and Recorded Sound
Added Author
McPartland, Marian, interviewee.
Murray, James Briggs, interviewer.
Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture.
Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. Louis Armstrong Jazz Oral History Project.
Research Call Number
Sc Visual DVD-1066
Sc Visual VRA-182 VHS
Sc Visual VRC-5 MII videocassette
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