Archives and Special Collections
92 Snell Library
360 Huntington Ave.
Boston, MA 02115
(617) 373-2351
archives@neu.edu

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Collection Overview

Historical Note

Scope and Content Note

Series:


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Collection
Title:Glen Gray and the Casa Loma Orchestra records
Dates:1915-1979
Call Number:M31
List of Contents

Series:
1. Subject Files, 1915-1979
Volume:3.0 cubic ft.
Arrangement:

Alphabetical
Summary:

The series contains material documenting the financial and promotional activities, administrative and performance history, musical repertoire, and public opinion of the band over time.  In addition to programs, posters, press releases, biographical sketches, financial ledgers, and music sheets and lists, the series contains scrapbooks, many newspaper clippings, published works about the band, awards received by both Gray and the Casa Loma Orchestra, and ephemera such as Gray's auto registration, high school diploma, World War I cap, and gun permit.  Financial records document band earnings, employee advancements and refunds, bank, payroll, and expense accounts, and band personnel.  Also included are detailed indexes to the collection's musical scores and arrangements (Series 4) and phonograph records (Series 5), as well as materials documenting Northeastern University's musical tribute to Glen Gray and the Casa Loma Orchestra (1979).  Audio tapes of the event -- marking the 50th anniversary of the band and the donation of its materials to the university -- contain remarks by WGBH radio host, Ron Della Chiesa, and performances of the group's compositions and arrangements by the Dick Johnson Orchestra.
BoxTitleDate
Awards
1, 9Casa Loma Orchestra (2 folders)n.d., 1942
1, 7, FF4/D8Gray, Glen (3 folders)n.d., 1922-1947, 1963
1Business Cardsn.d.
1Casa Loma Clubn.d., 1979
Chronology
1American Musicn.d.
1U.S. and German Political Historyn.d.
Correspondence
1Gray, Glenn.d., 1930-1959
1O'Keefe, F.C.n.d., 1931-1963
1, 3, 5Ephemera: Gray, Glen (1 folder and 2 boxes)n.d., 1915-1962
1Financial Accounts (4 folders)1919-1963
1"Glen Welty and his Dance Orchestra Playing"n.d.
1History: Glen Gray and Casa Loma Orchestran.d., 1963-1979
Indexes
1KYM Tribute to Casa Loma1954
1Musical Scores (A-Z) (3 folders)n.d.
1Newspaper Clippingsn.d.
Recordings
1Audiotapen.d.
1Phonographn.d.
1Scrapbooksn.d.
1Letterheadn.d.
1Magazine Articles1936
1Music Advertisementsn.d., 1958, 1961
1Music Lists (4 folders)n.d., 1936-1944
1Music Reviews1957-1965
7Music Sheetsn.d., 1933-1950
1Musician Profilesn.d.
Newspaper Clippings
1Band Members1937-1938
1Casa Loma Ballroom1934-1938
1Club Owners1938
1Contemporary Performers1938
1Contemporary Swing Bands1937-1938
1Cooperative Bands1937-1938
1Feature Articlesn.d., 1937-1940
1Gray, Glen
1Bios1937-1938, 1957-1961
1Illness1963
1Name Change1938
1Johnson, Dick1980
1Knoblauch, Glen Grayn.d.
1Miscellaneousn.d., 1937-1941
1Music Polls1937-1938
Performances
1Burns and Allen Radio Show1938
1Midwestern States1935-1938
1New York1935-1938
1Northeastern States1934-1938
1Southern States1935-1938
1Texas1935-1938
1Washington, D.C.1937-1938
1Western States1935-1938
1Pyle Jack – Car Crash1959
1Radio Broadcastsn.d., 1936-1938, 1961
1Recordings1937-1938, 1960-1962
1Reminiscence1986
1Reviews1937-1938
1Rockwell – O'Keefe corporation1936-1938
1Schrepfer, Mr. and Mrs. John C.n.d.
1Northeastern University Tribute
1Articles and Brochures1989
8Musical Performance (Audio Cassettes 1-19194; Audio Tape 1 shelved in individual box)
Obituaries
1Gray, Glen1963
1Hunt, Walter "Pee Wee"n.d.
1Performance Itinerary1936-1938
1Picture Framen.d.
1, 7Press Releases (2 folders)n.d., 1942
2Programsn.d., 1936-1961
2, 7Publicity (2 folders)n.d., 1930-1962
2Regan, Phil: Biographyn.d.
2, 4, 6Scrapbooks (7 books)n.d., 1930-1964
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Series:
2. Interviews, 1957-1979
Volume:0.5 cubic ft.
Arrangement:

Alphabetical
Summary:

The series contains both audio- and videotaped interviews with prominent CLO associates about their experiences with, and memories of, Glen Gray and the band during and after the Casa Loma years.  Interviewees include Dave Cavanaugh (Capitol Records), Walter "Pee Wee" Hunt (trombonist), Larry Wagner (arranger), and F.C. "Cork" O'Keefe (business manager).  Albert Donley, Jr. (NU Librarian) and Dick Johnson (bandleader) were interviewed on local cable television to publicize the University's tribute to the band (1979).  Interviews with Hunt, Wagner, and O'Keefe were conducted by Ron Della Chiesa (WGBH radio) to commemorate the donation of the CLO collection to NU. Chuck Cecil's radio tribute to Gray in 1963 (KFI, Los Angeles) contains reminiscences from O'Keefe, Hunt, Wagner, and other band members including Murray McEachern, Dan D'Andrea, Eddy McGargin, and Barney McDevitt.
BoxTitleDate
8Cavanaugh, Dave with Bill Stewar U.S. Armed Forces Radio and Television Service (Audio Cassettes 5-9; Audio Tapes 4-5 shelved in individual boxes)ca. 1963
Cecil, Chuck: Radio Tribute to the Casa Loma Orchestra
8Audio Cassettes 10-11 (Audio Tapes 4-5 shelved in individual boxes)1963
2Letter to Mrs. Glen Gray1963
10Donley, Albert Jr. and Dick Johnson on "Sunday Open House"1979
10Gray, Glen and Sonny Dunham with Jack Pyle (Audio Cassettes 12-13; Audio Tape 6 shelved in individual box)1957
10Hunt, Walter "Pee Wee"1977
10O'Keefe, F.C. "Cork" and Larry Wagner1979
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Series:
3. Photographs, 1920-1961
Volume:1.0 cubic ft.
Arrangement:

Alphabetical
Summary:

The series contains primarily 8" x 10" and 11" x 14" black and white photographs of Glen Gray and the CLO during all stages of the band's career.  It includes promotional photos, candid shots of CLO performances, and photographs of Gray with fans, friends, family members, and celebrities, including Bette Davis, Barbara Stanwyck, Bing Crosby, and the Dorsey brothers.  The series also contains photographs of Glen Gray in pre-CLO bands, such as George Haschert's Novelty Orchestra (in which Gray's sister, Mabel, performed) and the Orange Blossoms.
BoxTitleDate
2Bell, Earln.d.
2Biagini, Hankn.d., 1924
2Boswell, Connien.d.
2Bren, Genen.d.
2Briglia, Tonyn.d.
2Burns, George and Gracie Allenn.d.
2"Cadets"192?
Casa Loma Orchestra
2Audiencen.d., 1932
2Membersn.d., 1934-1939
2Miniature Model1935, 1938
2Performancesn.d., 1943-1950
2, 9Publicity Shots (2 folders)n.d., 1930-1943
2Rehearsalsn.d.
2, 9Reunions (2 folders)1936-1937
2Cohen, Sammy1925
2Daniels, Fatsn.d.
2Dennis, Stanleyn.d.
2Dunham, Sonnyn.d.
2, 9Early Glen Gray Band (2 folders)n.d., 1925
2Eberle, Rayn.d.
2Froas, Sylvia1937
2George, Bettyn.d.
2, 9George Haschert's Novelty Orchestra (2 folders)1920-1923
2Gifford, Genen.d.
2Gladfelt, Jimn.d.
Gray, Glen
2, 9Casa Loma Years (2 folders)n.d., 1937-1940
2Personaln.d.
2, 9Post-Casa Loma Years (2 folders)n.d., 1956-1961
2Pre-Casa Loma Years1916-1922
2, 9Publicity Events (2 folders)n.d., 1940-1959
2Recreationn.d., 1956
Relatives
2Generaln.d., ca. 1937
2and Band Membersn.d., 1934-1939, 195?
2and Celebritiesn.d., 1938
2and Familyn.d.
2and Friendsn.d., 1943-1945, 1960
FF4/D8and Masons at 49th Annual Session1923
FF4/D8and World War I Regimentn.d.
2Gray, Marionn.d.
2Hackett, Bobbyn.d.
2Hall, Joe1942
2Harsch, Daven.d.
2Haschert, George1922
2Hornbeck, Glennn.d.
2Hotel President1938
2Howard, Robertca. 1924
2Hunt, Walter "Pee Wee"n.d.
2, 9Jean Goldkette and the Orange Blossoms (2 folders)n.d., 1928
2Jenssen, Meln.d.
2Johnson, Dickn.d.
2Jones, Tomn.d.
2Knoblauch, Mabeln.d.
2Loughton, Eddien.d.
2Manero, Tonyn.d.
2Mathews, Shortyn.d.
2McEachern, Murrayn.d.
2McGargin, Eddien.d.
2Murphy, Deann.d.
2Ralston, Artn.d.
2, 9Sargent, Kenny (2 folders)n.d.
2Skiel, Toddyn.d.
2, 9Spencer, Warrenn.d.
2Theater Marquis (2 folders)n.d., 1934
2Unidentifiedn.d., 1925, 1943
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Series:
4. Musical Scores, 1933-1963
Volume:17.0 cubic ft.
Arrangement:

Alphabetical
Summary:

The series contains both original musical scores and arrangements of popular contemporary songs composed by band associates.  These hand-written drafts, with rehearsal markings, document the musical development and style of the Casa Loma Orchestra.  An alphabetical listing of CLO compositions is located in Series 1 (Box 1), as is a comprehensive index to the musical scores, providing information on composers, arrangers, and instrumentations.
BoxTitleDate
31"720 in the Books" (2 folders)
11"After Hours" (2 folders)
11"After You've Gone"
11"Afternoon in August" (2 folders)
11"Alley Cat" (2 folders)
11"Apollo (aka Ristina Swings Again)"
11"Apple Honey" (2 folders)
11"Around the World" (2 folders)
12"Artistry in Rhythm" (2 folders)
12"Back Bay Shuffle" (2 folders)
12"Baubles, Bangles, and Bead"
12"Beautiful Love" (2 folders)
12"Begin the Beguine" (2 folders)
13"Begin the Beguine" – Eddie Heywood
13"Black Jazz" (2 folders)
13"Blow the Smoke Away" (2 folders)
13"Blowin' up a Storm"
13"Blue Flame" (2 folders)
13"Blues on Parade" (2 folders)
13"Blues Rhapsody" (2 folders)
13"Boogie Woogie"
13"Boy Meets Horn"
39"Bugle Call Rag" (Xerox copy, no original)
14"Buji" (2 folders)
14"'C' Jam Blues"
14"Carolina in the Morning" (2 folders)
39"Casa Loma Stomp" (2 folders)
39"Casa Loma Stomp" – Mambo (2 folders)
14"The Champ" (2 folders)
14"Chant of the Jungle" (2 folders)
14"Charade" (2 folders)
15"Cajun Shout" (2 folders)
15"Cherokee" (2 folders)
15"Ciribirbin"
15"Collaboration" (2 folders)
15"College Songs" (2 folders)
15"Columbia The Gem of the Ocean"
15-16"Come and Get It (aka Well All Right!)" (2 folders)
16"Contrasts" (2 folders)
16"Cottonbelt Cannonball (aka Gray and the Blues)" (2 folders)
16"Dance Call" (2 folders)
16"The Dance of the Lame Duck" (2 folders)
16"Dance the Hours" – Part I
17"Dance the Hours" – Part II
17"Dancing in the Dark"
17"Danke Schoen" (2 folders)
17"Dardanella" (2 folders)
17"Dardanella – Challis"
17"Days of Wine and Roses" (2 folders)
39"Desafinado" (2 folders)
17"Dichter Und Bauer" – Part I (Poet and Peasant)
18"Dichter Und Bauer" – Part II (Poet and Peasant)
18"Dipper Mouth Blues (aka Sugarfoot Stomp)" (2 folders)
18"Dixie" (2 folders)
18"Drifting Apart"
18"Early Autumn" – Bossa (2 folders)
19"The Elk's Parade" (2 folders)
19"El Rancho Grande" (2 folders)
19"Embraceable You"
39"Falling in Love With You"
19"Farewell Blues" (2 folders)
20"Finale" – G Minor Symphony
20"Floyd's Guitar Blues" (2 folders)
20"Fly Me to the Moon" (2 folders)
20"Flying Home"
20"For You" (2 folders)
20"Forget Him"
20"Frenesi" – Bossa (2 folders)
21"Gary Indiana" (2 folders)
21"Georgia On My Mind"
21"Gettin' Sentimental"
21"Ghost of a Chance" (2 folders)
21"Girl of My Dreams" (2 folders)
21"Golden Earrings" (2 folders)
21"The Good Life" (2 folders)
22"Goodbye" (2 folders)
22"Harlem Nocturne (aka Duke's Mixture)" (2 folders)
22"Hindustan"
22"Hot Lips"
22"Huckleberry Duck" (2 folders)
22"Humoresque"
22"Hungarian Dance #5"
22"I Can't Get Started With You" (2 folders)
22"I Can't Stop Loving You" (2 folders)
23"I Concentrate on You" (2 folders)
23"I Cried for You" (2 folders)
23"I Wanna be Around" (2 folders)
23"I Will Follow You (Chariot)" (2 folders)
23"I Left My Heart in San Francisco" (2 folders)
23"In San Francisco" – B.G.
23"In the Mood" (2 folders)
23"In the Still of the Night"
24"Intermission Riff" (2 folders)
24"It's You" (2 folders)
26"Jack the Bear" (2 folders)
24"John Silver" (2 folders)
24"Jumping at the Woodside" (2 folders)
24"Just and Old Manuscript" (2 folders)
25, 26"King Porter Stomp" (2 folders)
25"King Porter Stomp" – Bossa Nova (2 folders)
25"Leap Frog" (2 folders)
26"Lean Baby (aka My Lean Baby)"
25"Little Rock Getaway" (2 folders)
25"Love Letters" (2 folders)
25"Love Me" (2 folders)
26"A Lovers Lullaby" (2 folders)
26"Malibu" (2 folders)
26"Maniac's Ball" (2 folders)
26"Marian the Librarian" (2 folders)
27"Medic Theme" (2 folders)
27"Melody in F"
27"Memories of You" (2 folders)
27"Midnight Sun" (2 folders)
27"Milenberg Joys" (2 folders)
27"Minuet"
28"Minuet in G"
28"Mission to Moscow" (2 folders)
28"Misty" (2 folders)
28"The Mole" – Bossa Nova (2 folders)
28"More" (2 folders)
28"Molten Swing" (2 folders)
29"My Foolish Heart" (2 folders)
29"Never on a Sunday" (2 folders)
29"Night Train"
29"The New No Name Jive"
29"Nightmare" (2 folders)
29"No Name Jive" – 1st Movement (2 folders)
29"No Name Jive" – 2nd Movement (2 folders)
29"No Name Jive" – Ford
29"No Name Jive" – Mambo (2 folders)
30"Oh, What a Beautiful Morning" (2 folders)
30"One Note Samba" (2 folders)
30"One O'Clock Jump" (2 folders)
30"Opus I"
30"Our Day Will Come" (2 folders)
30"Out of Space" (2 folders)
30"Panama" (2 folders)
30"The Plymouth Rock" (2 folders)
31"Quaker City Jazz" (2 folders)
31"Redskin Rhumba" (2 folders)
31"Riverboat Shuffle" (2 folders)
31"Shanty Town" (2 folders)
31"Sherwood Forest (aka Duel in the Sun)" (2 folders)
32"Sleepy Time Gal" (2 folders)
32"Smoke Rings" (2 folders)
32"Smoke Rings" – Ford Show
32"Snowfall" (2 folders)
32"Song of India"
32"South Rampart Street Parade" (2 folders)
32"Southland Shuffle" (2 folders)
32"Star Dreams" (2 folders)
32"Starburst" (2 folders)
33"Stardust" – Beguine (2 folders)
33"Stars and Stripes Forever" (2 folders)
33"Stella by Starlight"
33"Stranger on the Shore" (2 folders)
33"Street of Dreams" (2 folders)
39"A String of Pearls" (2 folders)
39"A String of Pearls Cha-Cha" (2 folders)
33"Study in Brown" (2 folders)
33"Sugar Blues"
34"Summer Night" (2 folders)
34"Summertime" (2 folders)
34"Sunrise Serenade" (2 folders)
34"Swanee River Boogie" (2 folders)
34"The Sweetest Sounds" (2 folders)
34"Swingin' the Blues"
34"Symphony in Riffs" (2 folders)
34"Take the 'A' Train" (2 folders)
34"Take the 'A' Train" – Bossa Nova (2 folders)
34"It's the Talk of the Town" (2 folders)
35"Tango Blues" (2 folders)
35"Tenderly"
35"Tenderly" – Brooks Version (2 folders)
35"That's A Plenty" (2 folders)
26"Those Lazy-Hazy-Crazy Days of Summer" (2 folders)
35"Through" (2 folders)
35"Time on My Hands" (2 folders)
35"Tippin' Inn" (2 folders)
35"Topsy" (2 folders)
36"Triflin' Eyes" (2 folders)
36"Tumbling Tumbleweeds" (2 folders)
36"Tuxedo Junction" (2 folders)
36"Twilight Blue" (2 folders)
36"Two O'Clock Jump"
36"Under a Blanket of Blue" (2 folders)
36"V.I.P.'s Boogie" (2 folders)
36"Washington Square" (2 folders)
36"Was I to Blame?" (2 folders)
36"Well, Git It" (2 folders)
37"White Jazz" (2 folders)
37"Wild Goose Chase" (2 folders)
37"West End Blues"
37"What Kind of Fool am I?" (2 folders)
37"When Buddha Smiles" (2 folders)
37"When I Fall in Love" (2 folders)
37"Woodchopper's Ball"
38"The World is Waiting for the Sunrise" (2 folders)
38"Yes Sir, That's My Baby" (2 folders)
38"Your Other Love" (2 folders)
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Series:
5. Musical Recordings, 1934-1964
Volume:2.5 cubic ft.
Arrangement:

Alphabetical by medium.
Summary:

The series contains phonograph records (33 1/3 and 78 rpm) and audio-taped radio broadcasts of CLO recordings.  Some broadcasts are narrated, offering information on the history of the band and its musical development.  All reel-to-reel audio-taped broadcasts have been transferred to audio cassette and are alphabetized by subject.  The 78 rpm records, which contain original CLO recordings, have one song per side and are alphabetized by the title song on Side A.  The 33 1/3 rpm records, alphabetized by record title, contain covers of Big Band compositions recorded by Capitol Records (with Gray as conductor) during the 1950s and early 1960s.  One oversized 33 1/3 rpm record (Box 9) contains a performance by Gray on "Manhattan Melodies", a former radio program of the U.S. Air Force Recruiting Service.  An index to all phonograph records in the collection is located in Series 1 (Box 1).
BoxTitleDate
8Audio Cassettes 14-27n.d., 1954-1979
8Audio Tapes 7-17 (stored in individual boxes)n.d., 1954-1979
2Christmas Seals Radio Program - Letter to Mrs. Glen Gray1962
Phonograph Records
9, 4033 1/3 RPM, A-Zn.d.
41-4278 RPM, A-Zn.d.
2Pyle, Jack and Bill Givens Radio Tribute to the Casa Loma Orchestra (KYW) - Music List1954
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