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Russ Morgan Music Manuscripts (MS-00944)

Abstract

The Russ Morgan Music Manuscripts (approximately 1950-1967) are comprised of manuscript arrangements used by the Russ Morgan Band for live concert, radio, and television performances. The collection includes handwritten scores and parts for popular music.

Finding Aid PDF

Date

1950 to 1967

Extent

177.95 Cubic Feet (194 boxes, 62 oversized boxes)
199.02 Linear Feet

Scope and Contents Note

The Russ Morgan Music Manuscripts (approximately 1950-1967) are comprised of manuscript arrangements used by the Russ Morgan Band for live concert, radio, and television performances. The collection includes handwritten scores and parts for popular music.

Access Note

Collection is open for research.

Publication Rights

Materials in this collection may be protected by copyrights and other rights. See Reproductions and Use on the UNLV Special Collections website for more information about reproductions and permissions to publish.

Arrangement

Materials remain in the order they were received.

Biographical / Historical Note

Russ Morgan was a big band orchestra leader who was active from the 1930s through the 1960s. Morgan

was born on April 29, 1904 in Scranton, Pennsylvania. He began playing in a local band, The Scranton

Sirens, during the 1920s in Pennsylvania. In addition to leading big band orchestras, Morgan was also a

pianist, trombonist, composer, and music arranger. He collaborated with American musicians including John

Philip Sousa, Victor Herbert, Rudy Vallee, Paul Specht, and Paul Whiteman. Throughout his career Morgan

hosted radio and television programs including "Music in the Morgan Manner" for Detroit Radio Station

WXYZ, "The Morgan Manner" on ABC Television in 1950, and "The Russ Morgan Show" on CBS in 1956.

From 1965 to 1967, the Russ Morgan Band performed at the Dunes Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. Morgan

passed away in Las Vegas on August 7, 1969.

Source:

"Russ Morgan." Battle of the Big Bands. Accessed October 7, 2020. http://www.battleofthebigbands.com/

russ-morgan

Preferred Citation

Russ Morgan Music Manuscripts, approximately 1950-1967. MS-00944. Special Collections and Archives, University Libraries, University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Las Vegas, Nevada.

Acquisition Note

Materials were transferred in 2019 by the Arnold Shaw Popular Music Research Center; accession number 2019-058.

Processing Note

Materials were processed in 2019 by Mary Anilao, Chriziel Childers, Kyle Gagnon, Paola Landaverde,

and Lauren Paljusaj. In 2020, Paola Landaverde, Victoria Palma, and Krisada Sinamkam administered

paper conservation on the materials and created the inventory. In 2020, Tammi Kim entered the inventory

and created a finding aid in ArchivesSpace.

Resource Type

Collection

Collection Type

EAD ID

US::NvLN::MS00944

Storage Location

Some materials are stored in the Lied Automated Storage and Retrieval Unit (LASR). Advanced notice may be required to access these materials.

Custodial History

The complete library for the Russ Morgan Band, including published stock arrangements and manuscript arrangements, are held in two locations at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. In 2019, the manuscript arrangements were transferred to Special Collections and Archives and the published stock arrangements remain at the Arnold Shaw Popular Music Research Center. The complete catalog of stock arrangements can be accessed here: https://tinyurl.com/ShawMorganPrintCollection

Finding Aid Description Rules

Describing Archives: A Content Standard
English