Guide to the Whitney Balliett Papers,
1941-2006

Collection Number: 6948

Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections
Cornell University Library

Contact Information:
Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections
2B Carl A. Kroch Library
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY 14853
(607) 255-3530
Fax: (607) 255-9524
rareref@cornell.edu
http://rmc.library.cornell.edu
Compiled by:
Theo Wolf
Date completed:
May 2011
EAD encoding:
Theo Wolf, May 2011
Date modified:
Theo Wolf, May 2011

© 2011 Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library

DESCRIPTIVE SUMMARY

Title:
Whitney Balliett papers, 1941-2006
Collection Number:
6948
Creator:
Balliett
Quantity:
3 cubic ft.
Forms of Material:
Correspondence, photographs, printed material
Repository:
Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library
Abstract:
Notes, drafts, and writings on jazz criticism and biography. Also, letters to Balliett and photographs.
Language:
Collection material in English

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE

Whitney Balliett was esteemed jazz critic. He graduated from Cornell in 1951, and went on to write for The New Yorker. For nearly 50 years, he contributed to the publication with over 550 articles, and many more unsigned. He is known for his non-technical approach to criticism, using artful adjectives and vivid verbs to frame the music. His writing was more poetry than anything, and reading it, one will find metaphors and synesthetic synopses understandable by even the most uninformed music listener.
COLLECTION DESCRIPTION

Notes, drafts, and writings on jazz criticism and biography. Also, letters to Balliett and photographs. The Whitney Balliett collection houses a variety of papers and correspondences from Balliett's career. There are a number of notebooks containing (nearly illegible) notes of various musician's concerts or recordings. There are also items relating to the New Yorker, including a drawing of Buddy Rich by Balliett that appeared in the magazine. Some notable letters include notes from Alice Toklas, John Updike, and Frank Sinatra. Additionally, there are a number of formerly framed items from the wall of Balliett's office.
SUBJECTS

Names:
Balliett, Whitney.
Charles, Ray, 1930-2004
Dahl, Roald
Gillespie, Dizzy, 1917-1993
Sinatra, Frank, 1915-1998
Toklas, Alice B.
Updike, John
Newport Jazz Festival

Subjects:
Jazz--History and criticism.
Jazz musicians--United States--Biography.

INFORMATION FOR USERS

Cite As:
Whitney Balliett papers, #6948. Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library.
CONTAINER LIST

Date
Description
Container
Misc. Papers and Notes
March - October 1941
"The Thoughts of Youth" - Poems by Whitney B.
 Box 1 Folder 1
Ghost Experience - Notes about Marian Johnson
 Box 1 Folder 2
O'Neal, Hank
 Box 1 Folder 3
Powell, Mel
 Box 1 Folder 4
Reviews of WB's Books
 Box 1 Folder 5
Poetry Images... Whitney's Notes for his own Work
 Box 1 Folder 6
November 28, 1987
"American Singers" - Book Party
 Box 1 Folder 7
May 15, 1996
American Academy of Artist Letters Program
 Box 1 Folder 8
Armstrong, Louis (note from a reader)
 Box 1 Folder 9
"Atlantic Monthly" Article on a 10 day QE 2 Jazz Cruise by Whitney Balliett
Box 1 Folder 10
Review: American Musicians
 Box 1 Folder 11
Bach, Jean (notes on "A Great Day in Harlem")
 Box 1 Folder 12
Bagneris, Vernel (original manuscript)
 Box 1 Folder 13
Dearie, Blossom
Box 1 Folder 14
Beiderbeike, Bix (notes)
 Box 1 Folder 15
Bennett, Tony (notes)
 Box 1 Folder 16
Bertoncini, Gene - Moore, Michael (notes)
 Box 1 Folder 17
The Blue Book Guide of the "Sporting District" in New Orleans
Box 1 Folder 18
Books: James Gould Cozzens Original Manuscript
 Box 1 Folder 19
Book Review: DownBeat - "Ecstasy at the Onion - 31 Pieces on Jazz by Whitney Balliett
Box 1 Folder 20
Book Review: "God's Perfect Child" by Caroline Fraser
 Box 1 Folder 21
Braff, Ruby (notes)
 Box 1 Folder 22
Braff, Ruby (notes)
 Box 1 Folder 23
Briggs, Bunny
 Box 1 Folder 24
Burns Ken (notes and piece about his Jazz series)
 Box 1 Folder 25
Cain Jackie - Kral, Roy (notes on the singers Jackie + Roy)
Box 1 Folder 26
Canney, Harry
 Box 1 Folder 27
Canney, Harry (notes)
 Box 1 Folder 28
Canter, Betty (notes)
 Box 1 Folder 29
Charlap, Bill (notes)
 Box 1 Folder 30
Charlap, Bill (original manuscript)
 Box 1 Folder 31
Charlap, Bill
 Box 1 Folder 32
Charles, Ray (also Moore, Michael
 Box 1 Folder 33
Charles, Ray (notes
 Box 1 Folder 34
Cheatham, Doc (notes)
 Box 1 Folder 35
Coleman, Ornette (notes)
 Box 1 Folder 36
Cunningham, Bradley (notes)
 Box 1 Folder 37
Davis, Miles
 Box 1 Folder 38
Deanie, Blossom (notes)
 Box 1 Folder 39
Eldridge, Roy (notes)
 Box 1 Folder 40
Elliott, Bob - Goulding, Ray
 Box 1 Folder 41
Ellis, Anita (notes)
 Box 1 Folder 42
Feinstein, Sasha
 Box 1 Folder 43
Finegan, Bill
 Box 1 Folder 44
Flanagan, Tommy
 Box 1 Folder 45
Fraishberg, Dave (notes)
 Box 1 Folder 46
Ganner, Erroll (notes)
 Box 1 Folder 47
1969
Gibson, Dick: Jazz Party - Aspen, Colorado
 Box 1 Folder 48
Gillespie, Dizzy (notes)
 Box 1 Folder 49
(Goodman, Benny (notes and original manuscript)
 Box 1 Folder 50
Gordon - Research - John Gordon Piece
 Box 1 Folder 51
Gordon, John (dealer in Americana)
 Box 1 Folder 52
Gordon, John
 Box 1 Folder 53
Gordon, Max
 Box 1 Folder 54
Cafe Society, Uptown and Downtown (Murals)
 Box 1 Folder 55
Grappelli, Stephane - Reinhardt, Django
Box 1 Folder 56
Spring 1989
The Great Hurricane of 1938, Reprint from the New Yorker
Box 1 Folder 57
Hackett, Bobby (notes)
 Box 1 Folder 58
Hackett, Bobby
 Box 1 Folder 59
March 1999
Hall, Jim - Charlap, Bill
 Box 1 Folder 60
Hall, Jim (notes)
 Box 1 Folder 61
Hall, Jim
 Box 1 Folder 62
Hall, Jim
 Box 1 Folder 63
Holiday, Billie
 Box 1 Folder 64
New York Notes Columns' Notes
 Box 1 Folder 65
365 Cedar Swamp Road Article
 Box 1 Folder 66
December 25, 1971
"The House and the Highway" - New Yorker
 Box 1 Folder 67
1938
Hurricane photos
 Box 1 Folder 68
Keating, Cletus (Mrs.) interview for "The House and the Highway"
Box 1 Folder 69
Jazz Festival, Mobile notes
 Box 1 Folder 70
Jazz Festival, Monterey notes
 Box 1 Folder 71
Jones, Elvin (notes)
 Box 1 Folder 72
Jones, Elvin
 Box 1 Folder 73
Jones, Hank (notes)
 Box 2 Folder 1
"Kansas City," Robert Altman Movie
 Box 2 Folder 2
Knepper, Jimmy (notes)
 Box 2 Folder 3
Lankins, Ellis notes
 Box 2 Folder 4
Lawrence, Baby notes
 Box 2 Folder 5
Lovano, Joe (notes)
 Box 2 Folder 6
Marano, Nancy (notes and original manuscript)
 Box 2 Folder 7
McPartland, Marian - McPartland, Jimmy
 Box 2 Folder 8
McPartland, Marian (notes)
 Box 2 Folder 9
The Modern Jazz Quartet (notes)
 Box 2 Folder 10
Monk, Thelonious - Downbeat Score for "Straight No Chaser"
Box 2 Folder 11
Moore, Freddie (notes)
 Box 2 Folder 12
New York Notes Columns
 Box 2 Folder 13
New York Notes
 Box 2 Folder 14
February 12, 1987
NY Review - E.J. Hobsbawn: Jazz Comes Back
 Box 2 Folder 15
Moore, Michael and Charles, Ray
 Box 2 Folder 16
1974
Newport Jazz Festival Notes
 Box 2 Folder 17
1973
Newport Jazz Festival
 Box 2 Folder 18
1973
Newport Jazz Festival
 Box 2 Folder 19
Playing the drums on a QE2 Jazz Cruise
 Box 2 Folder 20
The New Yorker, 70th Anniversary Party
 Box 2 Folder 21
Norris, Walter - Interview, notes
 Box 2 Folder 22
Norvo, Red
 Box 2 Folder 23
Mercer, Mabel notes
 Box 2 Folder 24
October 15, 1965
Mercer, Mabel (piece in Life Magazine)
 Box 2 Folder 25
Mercer, Mabel (notes)
 Box 2 Folder 26
McKenna, Dave (notes)
 Box 2 Folder 27
Marcus, Marie
 Box 2 Folder 28
Moore, Michael (notes)
 Box 2 Folder 29
Dates of Whitney Balliett's New Yorker Pieces
 Box 2 Folder 30
Oliver, Edith (original manuscript of Edith Oliver's obituary by Balliett)
Box 2 Folder 31
Parker, Leon (notes)
 Box 2 Folder 32
Powell, Mel
 Box 2 Folder 33
Powell, Mel (notes)
 Box 2 Folder 34
Snyder, John
 Box 2 Folder 35
Reinhardt, Django (original manuscript)
 Box 2 Folder 36
Rowles, Jimmy (notes)
 Box 2 Folder 37
Rich, Buddy notes
 Box 2 Folder 38
Rich, Buddy - Drawing by Balliett which appeared in the New Yorker
Box 2 Folder 39
Shawn, William (Interview from Womnen's Wear Daily)
 Box 2 Folder 40
Schueler, Jon (notes)
 Box 2 Folder 41
Sheaming, George
 Box 2 Folder 42
Short, Bobby notes
 Box 2 Folder 43
Sims, Zoot - Sims, Louise
 Box 2 Folder 44
Zutty Singleton - Modern Jazz Quartet notes
 Box 2 Folder 45
Sloane, Carol interview notes
 Box 2 Folder 46
Steig, Jeremy
 Box 2 Folder 47
Syms, Sylvia
 Box 2 Folder 48
Tate, Buddy (notes)
 Box 2 Folder 49
Tatum, Art (notes)
 Box 2 Folder 50
Smith, Jabbo (notes)
 Box 2 Folder 51
Taylor, Cecil - interview notes
 Box 2 Folder 52
Thornhill, Claude
 Box 2 Folder 53
Torme, Mel notes
 Box 2 Folder 54
Tough, Dave
 Box 2 Folder 55
Venuti, Joe
 Box 2 Folder 56
Wein, George and Joyce
 Box 2 Folder 57
Wellstood, Dick (notes)
 Box 2 Folder 58
Wilber, Bob (notes)
 Box 2 Folder 59
Wilder, Joe
 Box 2 Folder 60
Wilson, Julie - Interview Notes
 Box 2 Folder 61
Wilson, Cassandra
 Box 2 Folder 62
Whiting, Margaret - interviews and notes
 Box 2 Folder 63
Collected Works
 Box 2 Folder 64
Correspondence
Letters from Fans of WB's Writing
 Box 2 Folder 65
DownBeat - Letter to Editor - Re: Sidney Catlett (WB)
 Box 2 Folder 66
Cooke, Alistair
 Box 2 Folder 67
McNulty, Faith
 Box 2 Folder 68
September 29, 1997
Macklin, Elizabeth - "The House Style
 Box 2 Folder 69
Maxtone - Graham, John
 Box 2 Folder 70
Lee, Peggy
 Box 2 Folder 71
Toklas, Alice
 Box 2 Folder 72
Letters from: Lena Horne
 Box 2 Folder 73
Dahl, Roald
 Box 2 Folder 74
Dirda, Michael
 Box 2 Folder 75
Foote, Shelby
 Box 2 Folder 76
Hentoff, Nat
 Box 2 Folder 77
Rowles, Jimmy
 Box 2 Folder 78
Ondaatje, Michael
 Box 2 Folder 79
Updike, John
 Box 2 Folder 80
Yardley, Jonathan
 Box 2 Folder 81
Steinman, Michael (a fan of Whitney's)
 Box 2 Folder 82
Dance, Helen Oakley - Dance, Stanley
 Box 2 Folder 83
Letters from: Brian McInerry - Maher, James T.
 Box 2 Folder 84
Wilbur, Bob (letter re: Jelly Roll Morton)
 Box 2 Folder 85
Remnick, David
 Box 2 Folder 86
Stephenson, Sam
 Box 2 Folder 87
Gibson, Rob (Lincoln Center)
 Box 2 Folder 88
Letters from musicians, writers, critics, and others (including Frank Sinatra)
Box 2 Folder 89
Whitworth, Bill
 Box 2 Folder 90
Reviews and quotes on WB's writing
 Box 2 Folder 91
Turner, Frederick
 Box 2 Folder 92
Asekoff, Louis (poet)
 Box 3 Folder 1
Letters from fans
 Box 3 Folder 2
1995 - 2006
Letters, answered and unanswered
 Box 3 Folder 3
1995 - 2006
Letters, answered and unanswered
 Box 3 Folder 4
1995 - 2006
Letters, answered and unanswered
 Box 3 Folder 5
1995 - 2006
Letters, answered and unanswered
 Box 3 Folder 6
2001
Lewis, John (memorial service in St. John's Cathedral, letter from a reader)
Box 3 Folder 7
Letters from Readers
 Box 3 Folder 8
Letter from Borclay Henry
Box 3 Folder 9
Letters from Cheatham, Doc - Ellis, Anita - Lewis, John
Box 3 Folder 10
Letters from Alex Wilder
 Box 3 Folder 11
Photo by Jack Bradley, p. 19 - Whitney, Nancy dancing... from DownBeat magazine
Box 3 Folder 12
Photos of Musicians
 Box 3 Folder 13
The Saturday Review (pieces by WB)
 Box 3 Folder 14
Original Manuscript - City Voices: Fourteen New York Portraits
Box 3 Folder 15
Photographs, drawings, posters
Novebmer 30, 1963
Richard Avedon photograph of Duke Ellington in front of the Apollo theater, signed to Balliett with appreciation.
 Box 2 Folder 93
May 15, 1996
Henry Groskinsky photo of the members and recipients of awards ceremonial of the American Academy of Arts and Letters.
 Box 2 Folder 93
Includes a sheet identifying all people in photo.
1958
Art Kane photograph Harlem 1958 also known as A Great Day in Harlem, and recreation photograph.
 Box 2 Folder 93
The photo depicts 57 jazz musicians. In the more modern, recreated, photo at the same location, ten of the original musicians are pictured. The photo was taken sometime before October 2003.
Undated photo of Ben Webster in silhouette.
 Box 2 Folder 93
Poster for a performance, "Red Allen, Pee Wee Russell Quintet - Introduced by Whitney Balliett" Poster
Box 2 Folder 94
1966
Photograph of Balliett with Duke Ellington backstage at the Monterey Jazz Festival.
 Box 3 Folder 16
Also in the photo is Nancy and Fred Seligo's date. Fred took the photo at three a.m.
Photographs
 Box 3 Folder 16
Includes photo of Balliett at home taken by A. Hall, a New Yorker publication with an interview and photos titled "Whitney Balliett and All That Jazz", photograph of drummer Big Sid Catlett by Skippy Adelman circa 1945.
January 15, 1991
Pencil drawing on paper of Whitney Balliett playing the drums by Paul Resika
Box 3 Folder 17
Watercolor and ink drawing for Atlantic Monthly by Barry Blitt.
Box 3 Folder 18
The illustration was for a piece Balliett wrote about playing the drums with a New Orleans group on a jazz cruise in November 1994, which no critics were invited on. It was a ten day voyage on the QE2 from New York City to Antigua.