Buffalo Regional History Collection

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Colored Musicians Association of Buffalo
Musicians Local 533

Note on Part One of the Collection:

            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.

Monroe Fordham & Ralph Watkins- 1974

Note on Part Two of the Collection:

The first collection of records of the Colored Musicians Association of Buffalo (Local 533) was filmed in 1974. At that time it was thought that that assemblage of material represented the only remaining records of Local 533.  In 1983, additional records were discovered during the renovation of the building that was owned by the Colored Musicians Club. Mr. James Bullock, Director of the Jazz Triangle Project, contacted the Afro-American Historical Association of the Niagara Frontier, Inc., about preserving the records on microfilm. Mr. Bullock, working with the Board of Directors of the Colored Musicians Club, arranged to have the materials placed on loan to the Afro-American Historical Association. Monroe Fordham, member of the History Department at Buffalo State College, was asked to coordinate the microfilming project. Most of the work of the project was performed by students from Dr. Fordham's Afro-American History courses (at Buffalo State College).  The materials were organized and indexed by Brenda Renfroe. The filming was done by Johnnie Home, Gloria Wallace, and Eric Toppin. The project was completed in the summer of 1984.

*NOTE*   The researcher should also consult the "Records and Documents Pertaining to the History of the Colored Musicians Association of Buffalo—Musicians Local 533," that were filmed in 1974. Those records contain materials that were not filmed in this collection.

Click here for and index to the first part of the collection.

Click here for and index to the second part of the collection.

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