Updated finding aid for the Jim Cullum Collection now available for research

An updated finding aid for the Jim Cullum Collection is now available on the Online Archive of California and is open for research. The newly added material, which totals 24 boxes (2,976 music scores) is primarily comprised of music scores collected and commissioned by Jim Cullum (1941–2019) as leader of the Happy Jazz Band and the Jim Cullum Jazz Band, and it includes music that was featured on the radio show Riverwalk Jazz.

The new scores illuminate the bands’ vast repertoire. Most are in Cullum’s hand or include his annotations; there are also arrangements by John Sheridan, Cullum’s longtime collaborator.  

Jim Cullum, Jr.’s career as bandleader began in 1973, when he took over leadership of the Happy Jazz Band from his father, who had formed it in 1962. The Happy Jazz Band was a seven-piece traditional jazz ensemble, similar in makeup to the later Jim Cullum Jazz Band, in which Cullum played cornet and which he led until his passing.

Chris Walker completed the additional processing of the collection with support from Benjamin Bates. The Archive of Recorded Sound (ARS) is open to all researchers. To access this and other ARS collections, please contact the ARS at soundarchive@stanford.edu at least three business days in advance of the visit.