Library: Archives & Special Collections: Music, Art, Theater & Entertainment

Collection Subject: Music, Art, Theater & Entertainment

Andrew Brown Choral Arts Collection [c. 1968-1991] A tenor soloist at St. John Baptist Church, Andrew Brown (1929-1977) became the church's minister of music in 1955. There, he organized a hundred-voice choir and personally established concert series as well as composing popular and renowned spiritual songs such as "My Prayer to Thee," "In Jesus' Name," "Come and Go with Me to My Father's House" and "Lord, Lord." A native of Buffalo, NY, Brown was also involved locally and elsewhere in organizing, establishing and conducting church choirs while promoting his love of gospel music. Installed as an instructor of music at Buffalo State College (then State University College at Buffalo), Brown became the director of the Pilot Musical Experiment Program in Gospel Music in 1967. Due to the program's success, it was instituted into the College's curriculum the following year. He directed the annual "Gospel Festival Comes to College" and remained active in teaching and community groups until his death in 1977. In 1978, a Memorial Scholarship Fund was established in memory of Andrew Brown, the first director of Buffalo State College All-College Choir, by Dr. Joseph Wincenc, Distinguished Teaching Professor Emeritus, of the Buffalo State College Performing Arts Department. Since 1978, scholarships and awards have been given annually to outstanding students who participate in Choral Arts at Buffalo State. With encouragement and support from Dr. Joseph Wincenc and Miss Rosalie Turton, former director of the Buffalo State Alumni Association, an Andrew Brown Chapter was established in 1987 by Reather Walker Diamond (BSC '76), coordinator of the Buffalo State All-College Gospel Choir, 1973-1982. The main object of this Chapter is to provide educational enrichment and assistance for people who have little or no background in music or singing. The Chapter's future goal is to maintain an Archives and Music Library to preserve the tradition, legacy, and ideals of African-American Choral Arts directors and accompanists in the educational process of learning, searching, and serving mankind.
Buffalo Youth & Young Adult Choral Society [1970-2000] The Supervisors Guild of Buffalo Youth and Young Adult Choral Society was organized in 1958-1959 with approximately seven members in the home of the late Rosalie Henry. The purpose of the Guild was to supervise, guide and assist the youth. Also, to travel with the children both locally and out of town when presenting programs and attending the National Convention of Gospel Choirs and Choruses, Inc., under the leadership of Professor Thomas A. Dorsey. Presidents: Mother Sarah Parham (deceased), Mrs. Mary Jackson and Mr. George "Buddy" Davis, II, Mrs. Gertrude Johnson, presiding.
Charles Rand Penney Art Library & Papers [c. 1900-present] A native of Buffalo, NY, Dr. Charles Rand Penney made his life and career in Western New York, working first as a lawyer and later pursuing a life-long love of collecting and lecturing about art and antiques around the world. In 1995, he was honored with a Doctorate of Fine Arts from the State University of New York for his commitment and contributions to the arts, especially in Western New York. In 1999, he received the Red Jacket Award from the Buffalo History Museum for his commitment to raising awareness of the shared heritage of Western New York. Whether traveling to Papua, New Guinea or up the Niagara River to Olcott Beach, Dr. Penney’s collection signified his approach to learning about new people and places, eventually growing to include more than 100 different themes. In the early 1990s, he donated a collection of Western New York Art to the Burchfield Art Center at Buffalo State College (resulting in the renaming of the Center to the Burchfield-Penney Art Center). His collection of Historical Niagara Falls Prints was donated to the Castellani Art Museum in 1993. In 2008, he donated his entire collection of Niagara County art, artifacts, and research materials to the History Center at the Niagara County Historical Society, eventually resulting in the opening of the eponymous Penney Gallery.
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Colored Musicians Association of Buffalo - Musicians Local 533 The records and documents preserved in this microfilm reel are part of our on-going effort to collect and preserve sources (oral and written) relating to the history of the black community of Buffalo, New York and vicinity. The documents herein were gathered together and loaned to us by Mr. Raymond E. Jackson. Mr. Jackson is the oldest living charter member of Musicians Local 533 (Colored Musicians Union of Buffalo). In addition to his active involvement in local 533, Mr. Jackson was the first black to be appointed a field representative for the American Federation of Musicians. He was appointed to that position in 1936. While serving as field representative of the American Federation of Musicians, Mr. Jackson worked with black musicians and their local unions throughout the United States. (We are presently taping conversations and interviews with Mr. Jackson covering topics relating to his extensive involvement in the making of 20th century black American history). We also plan to interview other members of local 533 and record the substance of such discussions on tape or written notes.
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Courier-Express Newspaper Collections [1926-1982] The Courier-Express newspaper was born in 1926, with the merger of the Buffalo Courier and the Buffalo Express to form the Buffalo Courier-Express. William J. Conners, owner of the Buffalo Courier, was the person instrumental in bringing the two papers together. During the 19th century numerous newspapers existed. The Buffalo Courier-Express merger can trace its roots back to 1828. From 1828 to 1926, twelve separate newspapers merged during those years, ending with the formation of the Buffalo Courier-Express; quite a chronology for the history of this newspaper. The Courier and then the Courier-Express took a liberal position on all issues. In the late 1970s, the Courier-Express was sold to Cowles-Media, an out of state publisher. Cowles Media decided to close the paper in 1982. The September 19, 1982 issue was the last one for this very popular Buffalo newspaper. Cowles Media donated the library to the Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society and Buffalo State College.
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Dett, Nathaniel The name of Dr. Robert Nathaniel Dett, noted composer, conductor, pianist, poet, and educator, who died in Battle Creek, Michigan on October 2, 1943, only nine days before his 61st birthday, will always have a special significance for the music world. At the time of his death he had become a figure of international prominence through his compositions and the singing groups which he directed. He had also been an inspiration to countless students of music, the most prominent of whom is Miss Dorothy Major, celebrated soprano, who studied with Dr. Dett when she was a student at Hampton Institute. Dr. Dett, youngest of the three sons of Robert Tue and Charlotte Johnson Dett, was born in Drummondsville, Ontario, Canada, on October 11, 1882. He was a Presbyterian and a Republican. On December 27, 1916, he married Miss Helen Elise Smith, pianist of New York, who later was a music instructor at Hampton Institute and at Bennett College. They had two children, Mrs. Henry Noyes (Helen Dett), a graduate of Bennett College, and Miss Josephine Elizabeth Dett, who attended Bennett College and Hampton Institute, and one granddaughter.
The Diane English Script Collection [1988-1995] Diane English was born in Buffalo, New York where she attended Nardin Academy and SUNY Buffalo State. Throughout the 1980s English wrote several series including: The Lathe of Heaven, Foley Square (1985-1986) and My Sister Sam (1986 and 1987 seasons). She is best known for writing and producing the sitcom Murphy Brown for CBS that ran for 10 years (1988-1998) totaling 247 episodes; and writing and directing the 2008 feature film, The Women. Additional sitcoms written in the 1990s include, Love and War (1992-1995), Double Rush (1995), Ink (1996), The Louie Show (1996), and Living in Captivity (1998).
Easley, Robert [1950-1985] Robert W. Easley was the father of Mrs. Madeline O. Scott. For most of his adult life he was a community activist, businessman, labor advocate, and civic leader in the city of Olean, NY. His papers were organized and prepared for microfilming by his daughter, Mrs. Madeline Scott.
Eleanor T. Murray Studio Arena Collection [bulk 1960-1990] The Studio Arena Theatre was established as Studio Theatre in the 1920s and operated in a second floor lodge meeting hall on the corner of Elmwood Avenue and Anderson Place. In 1934, Studio Theatre moved to a concert hall on the second floor of the Teck Theatre, until that building was converted to a movie house three years later. Studio Theatre School was incorporated with the playhouse as an educational institution in 1936 under the New York State Board of Regents. In 1937, having purchased the former Universalist Church at 305 Lafayette, the Studio Theatre was at home there for many years. In the early 1960s, the resident theatre movement was beginning, and Studio Theatre began its evolution into a professional equity theatre under the leadership of Neal Du Brock. In a mere forty-day transformation, the former Town Casino at 681 Main Street was transformed into Buffalo's only not-for-profit professional regional theatre and was renamed Studio Arena Theatre in 1965. Studio Arena Theatre was a key player in the resident theater movement. Eventually it moved across the street into the former Palace Burlesque Theater at 710 Main Street in 1978 and became a cornerstone of the Buffalo Theater District. Studio Arena Theatre operated until 2008 when it closed citing $3 million in debt. It was reopened in 2012 under the new name 710 Main Street and under the management of Shea’s Performing Art Center. It was renamed again in 2016 as Shea’s 710 Theatre in an effort to clarify management.
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Jackie Jocko Music Collection [c.1940-2018] Jackie Jocko (born John Giaccio; 21 January 1929 - 8 August 2019) was a musician, singer, and songwriter from Buffalo, New York. His albums included: “Lover, Come Back to Me” (1952), “Jackie Jocko – Mr. Excitement – From Coast to Coast” (1961), and “Like Wow!” (1962). Following an active national music career, he returned to Buffalo in 1972, and was locally most well-known for the 20 years he played at E.B. Green’s Steakhouse. He was inducted into the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame in 1997. Born in the Buffalo, New York North Fillmore neighborhood, he began playing piano by ear at two years old. He took classical piano lessons at age nine and was playing in taverns on Hertel Avenue by the age of 12. In his teens he played piano with a 10-piece orchestra at Buffalo venues, such as the Kleinhans Music Hall and the Statler Hotel. He met his partner and drummer, Joe Peters, in 1948. They would play together for the next 70 years until Joe's death in March of 2016. Jocko described Peters as, “his partner in life and music.” Jocko and Peters played their first show together at Carl’s Lounge on Jefferson Avenue near Genesee Street. Jocko left Buffalo at the age of 18 with Peters. He received his first record contract from Bill Randall of WERE Station in Cleveland, and a major record deal in 1952 from Mercury Records to produce “Lover, Come Back to Me.” He also spent some time in 1952 as the headliner for New York’s famous Birdland night club. In 1962, he signed with Strand Records to produce “Jackie Jocko – Mr. Excitement – From Coast to Coast” in 1961 and “Like Wow!” in 1962. Jocko and Peters developed a show together following the records and played for five years at the Sahara in Las Vegas, two years at Harrah’s in Reno, and two years touring Hawaii. Jocko and Peters returned home to Buffalo, New York in 1972 and played at the Cloister on Delaware Avenue, the Everglades on Hertel Avenue, and St. George’s Table in the Westbrook Hotel. Jocko invested in a restaurant named Jocko’s Supper Club on Broadway, but later shifted to Fanny’s, a former club on Sheridan Drive in Amherst, New York. His last location was E.B. Green’s where he would play for the next 20 years until 2016.
Lit-Mus Study Club (of Buffalo) Papers [1930s-1990s] The Lit-Mus - short for "Literary" and "Music" -- Study Club is an on-going African American women's study group that originated in Buffalo in 1922. It was founded by Florence Jackson Lee, Amelia Anderson and Ora Lewis Anderson in the hopes of fulfilling its mission to study topics in the arts, humanities and social sciences that would enable the club's women to improve their community. It became part of the Empire State Federation of Women's Clubs as well as an affiliate of the National Association of Colored Women's Clubs. In 1928, the Study Club introduced Negro History Week to Buffalo. The Club maintains a scholarship fund that has assisted many local students with their education and supports many local charities. It has also enabled the community to have greater access to African American literature and has donated books to libraries and schools. In order to preserve the records of the Club, it was deemed advisable to house them in the Special Collections area of the Buffalo State College's E.H. Butler Library.
Manny Fried Collection [bulk 1950-1980] Dr. Emanuel J. Fried was born on March 1, 1913 in Brooklyn, NY. As a young boy, Fried’s family moved to Buffalo, NY where he finished elementary and secondary education and wrote his first play at the age of 14. Fried worked as a bellhop and elevator operator, concessionaire, theater usher, salesmen, and newsboy. His first play written as a teenager was about an entertainer while working as a bellhop. Dr. Fried continuing acting under the stage name Edward Mann and became close friends with theater and film director Elia Kazan while living in New York City. In 1939, he returned to Buffalo and was employed as a template maker for Curtis-Wright airplane factory. While employed at Curtis-Wright he was active with the UAW—CIO Volunteer Organizing Committee and the UE for United Electrical, Radio & Machine Workers and also organized employees at the Wurlitzer, Spaulding Fibre, Buffalo Bolt, Columbus McKinnon, Wales-Stippit, Pratt & Letchworth, Otis Elevator, & Blaw-Knox. In addition, Dr. Fried led the Labor Writers Workshop and was a representative to the Buffalo AFL-CIO Council. Questionable activities while representing several unions resulted in his blacklist from unions and employment for several years. He served in World War II in the 20th Infantry and worked up to the position of lieutenant until discharged in late 1945. During the McCarthy Era, Fried was a person of interest by the Un-American Activities Committee on two separate occasions in which he refused to answer questions. Most notably from a 2007 interview “my answer will be, I will not answer. The first and the Fifth” “or in other words, it’s none of your business”. For a short time Fried served as director of the Buffalo Contemporary Theatre that produced shows about the working class. Dr. Fried attended the University of New York at Buffalo, earning a Bachelor and Masters of Arts in Humanities in 1971 and a Ph. D in English in 1974. Dr. Fried taught English and Creative Writing courses at Buffalo State College and retired in 1983 but continued to teach part-time until 2008. In 2009, Dr. Fried donated his collection to the E.H. Butler Library Archives and Special Collections. The collection of 36 boxes includes plays, letters, correspondences, audio and video tapes, and FBI papers. In addition, Dr. Fried granted Buffalo State College permission to perform his plays for the educational benefits of students with no fee charged for performances. Dr. Fried died on February 25, 2011 at his Kenmore Nursing Home, he was 97.
Michael Shea Papers [c. 1898-1918] Michael Shea was born in Buffalo’s Old First Ward in 1859 and played an instrumental role in developing the city’s theater and entertainment scene. Between 1882 and 1934, Michael Shea was one of the leading purveyors of middle class entertainment in Buffalo and operated a number of popular vaudeville halls and later movie theaters. Shea's Performing Arts Center (originally Shea's Buffalo) is a theater for touring Broadway musicals and special events in Buffalo, New York. Originally called Shea's Buffalo, it was opened in 1926 to show silent movies. It took one year to build the entire theatre. Shea's boasts one of the few theater organs in the US that is still in operation in the theater for which it was designed.
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Milton Rogovin Correspondence Collection
New York State Art Teachers Association (NYSATA) Collection [c. 1949-2021]
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Peter Yates Musical Composition and Material Collection [mid 20th century] Peter Yates (1909-1976), along with his wife Frances Mullen, is perhaps best remembered for his founding of the concert series Evenings on the Roof in Los Angeles. It grew literally on the roof of the 2nd floor of the Yates’ home, designed by Rudolf Schindler, one of the first of many artists and musician to emigrate from Europe to southern California during the early years of World War II. This concert series was to give most of them a much needed opportunity to have their music performed in an extremely supportive setting. (The reader is urged to consult the early chapters of D. Crawford’s Evenings On and Off the Roof for extensive coverage of this most important aspect of music history in the United States.) Mr. Yates’ appointment as Chair of the Music Department at Buffalo State College in 1968 met with many “raised eyebrows,” due to his lack of experience in higher education teaching and administration. He was, after all, an interviewer with the California Employment Service for most of his pre-Buffalo years. Additionally, he had earned only minimal academic qualifications, a BA degree from Princeton. However, having served as associate editor of Arts and Architecture, 1940-1967, as a contributing editor to Arts in Society, as well as author of two well-received books -- An Amateur at the Keyboard (1964) and Twentieth Century Music (1967) plus his long and unparalleled association with many of the most important contemporary European and American composers, the usual and traditional resume expectations were overlooked in lieu of this newer and richer experience.
Robert Cantrick - Original Music Collection [1990s] As Dr. Robert B. Cantrick (1917-2006), composer and music professor at Buffalo State College, 1969-1985, indicated in correspondence dated 2005, his intention throughout the last thirty years of his life was to "formulate fundamental concepts of music which are applicable to all cultural traditions and historical eras.” This mission seems to have been in the back of his mind since 1970 and the contents of his archive documents his attempts to bring this life-long project to fruition. The project was evolutionary in its scope. He was constantly pushing towards greater comprehensiveness and clarity as can be seen by the sheer volume of notes and revisions within the contents of the archive, as well as evidence of extensive and close reading not only in music but especially in philosophy as well. Project completion was never realized as he passed away not long after the above-mentioned letter to a prospective publisher as it turned out, was written.
Royal Serenaders Male Chorus [1946-2009] By 1947, the African American group expanded to six members and later to nearly 20. In its heyday in the 1960s, the group was in constant demand, had its own radio show, and frequently performed multiple concerts on weekends.
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William Schmidt Commercial Art Collection [1936-1975] Mr. William Schmidt (Buffalo State, Art Education, 1950), the creator of art designs on plastic covers for commercial products contained in plastic, requested that his special art work be deposited in the Buffalo State College E. H. Butler Library's Special Collections. He helped to set up the Schmidt and Eckert Award, offering several scholarships annually to Art Education majors at State University of New York at Buffalo. William Schmidt was drawn to art all his life, beginning his path as an artist as a young child. He was a World War II veteran, serving in the Pacific theater. His powerful and often harrowing artwork depicted the experiences of GI's and Japanese prisoners. Many of his pencil sketches and ink drawings are of the battle of Iwo Jima. He also attended the Art Institute of Buffalo, where much of his work would take on an abstract quality. After the war, he became a freelance designer working under Mr. Sidney Schulman of the Transparent Bag Company of Buffalo. Together, they handled many of the Western New York area's most important plastic bag accounts, and was one of the most successful businesses of its kind during the 1950's and 1960's. Although Mr. Schulman sold the Transparent Bag Company in December of 1981, the legacy of the company lives on in the William Schmidt Collection.
William Tallmadge Music Collection [c. 1925-1975] Dr. William H. Tallmadge (1916-2004), Professor of Music and charter member of the Sonneck Society (now the Society for American Music). Dr. Tallmadge taught music at Buffalo State College from 1949-1976, specializing in jazz and American folk music. Indeed, he developed the first course for credit in the United States on the history of jazz. Dr. Tallmadge's work is especially notable for the attention he paid to recording and studying African American church music of the early 20th century, though it is believed that none of these recordings are maintained within this collection. Dr. Tallmadge continued to teach at Berea College after his retirement from Buffalo State College.
WIVB-TV Black History Specials, 1987-2006 Prepare for a journey that will take you back to the days of the Underground Railroad, the great Pan American Exposition, the powerful Niagara Movement which led to the creation of the NAACP, and the golden era of jazz when Buffalo’s Colored Musicians Club featured some of the nation’s greatest musical artists. This history has been documented by WIVB-TV in Buffalo through Emmy Award winning television specials produced at the dawn of the new millennium. I was privileged to have co-hosted these long form journalistic endeavors with WIVB-TV reporter Mylous Hairston. A team of highly gifted and dedicated videographers, editors, and graphic artists helped put a human face on struggles that continue to this day.
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Contact an Archivist

Daniel DiLandro, MLS, CA
College Archivist & Special Collections Librarian
Email: dilanddm@buffalostate.edu
Phone: 716-878-6308

Hope Dunbar, MLIS, JD
Special Collections Archivist
Email: dunbarhm@buffalostate.edu
Phone: 716-878-4790