Creative Music Studio Tapes and Files, 1974-1980
Collection context
- Creator:
- Creative Music Studio
- Abstract:
- Reel to reel tapes (599); cassettes (8); videotapes (3); and some files.
- Extent:
- 56.25 linear feet 45 boxes
- Language:
- English .
- Scope and content:
-
An extensive collection of reel-to-reel tapes (599 in all). There are also 8 cassettes, three videotapes and four cartons of files.
- Biographical / historical:
-
The Creative Music Studio was founded in 1971 by musicians Karl Berger, Ingrid Sertso and Ornette Coleman. Its initial advisory board, comprised of luminaries from all aspects of music, the arts, and philosophy, included composers John Cage, Gil Evans, George Russell, and Gunther Schuller; philosopher and educator Buckminster Fuller; and painter Willem DeKooning, among others.
CMS was considered the premier study center for music in the1970s and 80s--it was an environment of musical cross-pollination and exploration that went beyond hierarchy and genre. Hundreds of Guiding Artists, including five MacArthur Fellows, came from all over the world to share their musical wisdom; the list includes: Don Cherry, Dave Holland, Carla Bley, Anthony Braxton, Jimmy Giuffre, Frederic Rzewski, Ursula Oppens, Pat Metheny, George Lewis, Nana Vasconcelos, Aiyb Dieng, Trilok Gurtu, Collin Walcott, and Cecil Taylor. To this day, CMS continues to engage musicians and listeners from all backgrounds and traditions, deepening and transforming their personal experience, understanding and expression of music as a universal language by illuminating its shared elements in workshops, residencies, performances, recording and archival projects throughout the U.S. and around the world that push the boundaries of musical expression and sensitivity.
To this day, CMS continues to engage musicians and listeners from all backgrounds and traditions, deepening and transforming their personal experience, understanding and expression of music as a universal language by illuminating its shared elements in workshops, residencies, performances, recording and archival projects throughout the U.S. and around the world that push the boundaries of musical expression and sensitivity.
Access and use
- Restrictions:
-
This collection is located off-site. For the non-audiovisual material in box 34-37, you will need to request this material at least three business days in advance to use the collection in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room. The AV materials have been digitized, and onsite access to the files is provided via a locked-down laptop in the RBML reading room, by special request. Please email rbml@columbia.edu for more information.
- Terms of access:
-
The RBML maintains ownership of the physical material only. Copyright remains with the creator and his/her heirs. The responsibility to secure copyright permission rests with the patron.
- Preferred citation:
-
Identification of specific item; Date (if known); Creative Music Studio Tapes; Box and Reel; Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.
- Location of this collection:
- Before you visit:
- Researchers interested in viewing materials in the RBML reading room must must book an appointment at least 7 days in advance. To make the most of your visit, be sure to request your desired materials before booking your appointment, as researchers are limited to 5 items per day.
- Contact:
- rbml@library.columbia.edu