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Pearl Bailey Collection [collection]

Title

Pearl Bailey Collection [collection]

Dates Created

Span: 1944-1989

Bulk: 1950s-1970s

Language

English

Form

collection

Physical Description

62 boxes

Abstract

African American entertainer, Pearl Bailey, gained fame for her work in Broadway, cabaret, and Hollywood as vocalist, dancer and actress. Bailey's humorous, sultry, slurred delivery livened up many a standard, including "Baby It's Cold Outside" and her only hit, "Takes Two to Tango." Although there is no sheet music included with the Bailey deposit, arrangements of some of her performance pieces are included with the Louis Bellson materials, Mr. Bellson being the donor of the Bailey materials. Bailey's life and career is chronicled in sound recordings, newsclippings, and photographs and memorabilia.

Contents Note

Sound recordings (misc. cassettes), photos (loose and bound in photo albums), scrapbooks, memorabilia, honors & awards, books, realia.

Note

Transfer of recorded sound formats expected.

Microfilm available

No

Preferred Citation

Pearl Bailey Collection, Music Division, Library of Congress

Access Permissions

Researchers wishing to work with special collections are advised to inquire in advance about availability of material since many special collections are stored off-site.

Subjects

African American Music

American Musical Theater

Dance

Jazz

Women in the Performing Arts

Bailey, Pearl

Bellson, Louis

Calloway, Cab

Gershwin, George

Gershwin, Ira

Hayes, Edgar

Redman, Don

Sissle, Noble

Williams, Cootie

Repository

Music Division, Library of Congress

Last Updated: 02-01-2011