Summary
Abstract
Walter Lowenfels began working on New Jazz Poets in 1962 to collect a group of poems written in a "modern rhythm influenced by street sounds and other non-literary sounds of the 1960s" that would be anthologized and a select few recorded for an album. The collection contains correspondence files of Walter Lowenfels and his wife Lillian with poets, publishers, and the Broadside record label for New jazz poets. It also includes manuscript poems, typescript poems, contracts, biographical materials, setting copy, galleys, and page mock-ups.
Dates
- Creation: 1962-1970
Extent
1.5 Linear Feet
Background
Biographical / Historical
Walter Lowenfels began working on New Jazz Poets in 1963. His original intention was to collect a group of poems written in a "modern rhythm influenced by street sounds and other non-literary sounds of the 1960s" that would be anthologized and (a selected few) recorded for an album. With the help of his wife Lillian, Art Berger, and Nan Braymer, the album, containing 21 individual poets reading their own work was released in 1967 on the Broadside label. However, the publication of the more comprehensive anthology was delayed. Lowenfels had contracted the anthology to Oak Publications, but in 1967 Oak was bought by Music Sales Corporation (MSC). MSC chose not to pick up New Jazz Poets, forcing Lowenfels to search for another publisher. In the Spring of 1968, Random House obtained the rights to the anthology. Two years later, under the title In a Time of Revolution, the collection of works by over 70 poets was published.
Scope and Contents
This collection documents the creation of the New Jazz Poets. The collection includes correspondence with poets, correspondence with publishers, poet biographical materials, poems, notes, galleys, and other material. This collection chiefly consists of correspondence files with poets, which may also include copies of poems, biographical materials, and notes.
This collection may be of interest to researchers studying literary publishing, African-American poetry, American poetry, the American Civil Rights Movement, and how the Civil Rights Movement intersected with the arts. Many of these poems reference the Civil Rights movement, struggles against discrimination, and Black culture. A few of these poems are writen by persons of Puerto Rican decent and reflect the Afro-Puerto Rican experience. In addition, many pieces of correspondence from poets are typed on Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) letterhead, demonstrating the linkages between the Civil Rights Movement and the artistic community. Notable poets represented include Carol Bergé, Paul Blackburn, Julian Bond, Nikki Giovanni, LeRoi Jones, Clarence Major, Ishmael Reed, and Diane Wakoski.
Physical Location
For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Penn State University Libraries catalog via the link above. Archival collections may be housed in offsite storage. For materials stored offsite, please allow 2-3 business days for retrieval.
Other Finding Aids
An original finding aid with item-level description is available in the control folder.
Custodial History
Walter and Lillian Lowenfels created and compiled this material. This collection was purchased from Walter Goldwater of University Place Bookshop in 1971.
Processing Information
Processed by James N. Hennelly, October 1988. James Hennelly grouped this collection into four groupings of folders, "Name Folders" (#1-87), "Institution Folders" (#88-90), "Miscellaneous" (#91-95) and "Publishing Materials" (#96-99). Lexy deGraffenreid reinventoried this collection in June 2022. She retained the original folders and titles. She edited contextual information.
Using These Materials
Repository Details
Part of the Eberly Family Special Collections Library Repository
104 Paterno Library
Penn State University
University Park 16802 USA
(814) 865-1793
spcollections@psu.edu
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Photocopies of original materials may be made available for research purposes at the discretion of the Eberly Family Special Collections Library. Photocopies or reproductions of original materials may be subject to fees as outlined by the Pennsylvania State University Libraries reproduction policies.
Copyright is retained by the creators of items in these papers, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law. Patrons seeking advice on the availability of unpublished materials for publication should consult relevant copyright law and laws of libel.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], New jazz poets collection, 02402, Eberly Family Special Collections Library, Pennsylvania State University.
- Title
- Guide to the New jazz poets collection
- Status
- Published
- Author
- Compiled by James N. Hennelly (October 1988). Updated by Lexy deGraffenreid, June 2022.
- Date
- 1988, 2022
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin