Derek Coller Collection of Jess Stacy Materials

Collection — Box: 1502

Identifier: 2010.007

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection contains materials gathered by Derek Coller while writing his book Jess Stacy: Quiet Man of Jazz. Within are correspondence between Coller and Stacy as well as other musicians, news clippings, obituaries, oral and written interviews, postcards, and handwritten notes on Jess Stacy by his mother Vada Stacy. The collection has been left in the original order as created by Derek Coller.

Dates

Creation: circa 1921-1998

Rights Statement

Materials in this collection may be protected by copyright law (Title 17, U.S. Code).

Biographical / Historical

Derek Coller, born 1926, is a British journalist and author whose research focuses on Jazz musicology. He served in the Royal Signal Corps where he first published S.E.A.C. Jazz News in 1947. Over the years he published many articles and several books relating to Jazz music and musicians.

Jess Stacy was a native Missourian. He was born in Bird's Point, MO on August 11, 1904 and was then raised in Cape Girardeau, MO. His jazz career first began on the riverboats of the Mississippi River. He then spent time in Chicago, IL honing his craft. Stacy went on to perform with many different acts and even as a solo artist. He is perhaps best well known for his time spent in the Benny Goodman band. Stacy officially retired in 1950 but had several appearances after that. He passed away on January 1, 1995.

Extent

0.5 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Materials collected and compiled by Derek Coller relate to Jess Stacy (1904-1995), a jazz pianist with roots in Southeast Missouri. Stacy played with the Benny Goodman Band and several other ensembles during his career. The collection includes correspondence between Coller and Stacy and other musicians, photographs, news clippings, and publications.