James Crockett oral history, 2002 April 10

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[Aviary] James Crockett oral history, 2002 April 10

Scope and Contents

From the Series:

Oral histories were conducted by archives staff and by student interviewers. Most oral histories in this series include a transcript and an audio recording on cassette. Some files may contain related information about the subject.

Dates

Creation: 2002 April 10

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for use. Contact peabodyarchives@lists.jhu.edu for more information.

Extent

From the Collection: 4.87 Cubic Feet (17 boxes)

Language of Materials

From the Collection: English

Additional Description

Abstract

James Crockett (1925-2019) was a jazz supporter, realtor, and businessman. Raised in Baltimore, Crockett attended Douglass High School, where he was inspired by the school's music teacher, W. Llewellyn Wilson. As a young man, he frequented the Royal Theater and the clubs on Pennsylvania Avenue, where he heard Fats Waller, Ella Fitzgerald, Billy Eckstine, and many other jazz greats. Crockett was influential in creating and supporting Baltimore's musical institutions, including the Eubie Blake Cultural Center. In this interview, Crockett describes the Pennsylvania Avenue jazz scene and his encounters with musicians such as Duke Ellington, Eubie Blake, and Ella Fitzgerald.