The library’s Jazz Archive contains a range of materials including:
Ted Heath collections
Ted Heath led Britain's greatest post-war big band. His manuscript band scores and parts are kept at Leeds Conservatoire. The Ted Heath Music Appreciation Society archive complements this collection.
Max Abrams diaries
Max Abrams' diaries, scrapbooks and correspondence give a detailed insight into the life of this well-known drum teacher, who fixed jobs for his students with the top big bands.
Joe Daniels band sets
Joe Daniels's drumming career lasted from the 1920s to the 1970s. The archive holds his score collection, which includes both original and published arrangements.
Ronnie Aldrich Band sets
Ronnie Aldrich was the pianist in The Squadronaires, from 1940. He was later famous for his Phase 4 stereo recordings, exploiting the stereo possibilities of two pianos. His scores are kept in the Jazz Archive.
Recordings
There are many thousands of recordings available in the archive, including 33rpm albums, 78rpm discs, home-recorded cassette tapes, reel-to-reel tapes and a huge CD collection.
Make a donation
We are currently only able to consider taking collections of manuscript music that are significant on a national level, or collections that tell the story of jazz in Yorkshire.
Visiting the archive
Anyone wishing to visit should contact the library. Visits cannot be arranged outside the opening times listed on the main library web page, and visitors without appointments will be turned away.
Scanning or copying of archive collection items
Visitors are not allowed to make copies of archive or collection items themselves. However, if the conditions of the archive/collection allow, library staff can provide scans or copies of items if requested.
Charges for this service are as follows:
- Handling fee (per work): £10
- Cost per page scanned: 75p
- Printing (unbound) per page: 50p
- Postage costs: as per local rate
Additional services are also available:
- Printed score (comb bound or stapled, depending on size): £10
- Printed instrumental parts (formatted for players)*: £4
*Instrumental part charge only applicable to parts longer than one A4 page.
For more information, or to arrange a visit to the archive, please email the library.
