Oral history interview with Marian McPartland
Marian McPartland (Interviewee), James Briggs Murray (Director), Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture
The oral history interview with Marian McPartland begins with her childhood. She recalls a family-owned music store and playing piano at 3. Her mother played classical music and Marian herself began with Chopin waltzes. At 17 she enrolled in London's Guildhall School of Music. Until then her formal music education had been restricted to the violin. Although Guildhall's focus was on classical music, in her free time she played Fats Waller, Duke Ellington and Teddy Wilson; learned fingering techniques and began composing for piano. Left Guildhall to join Billy Mayerl's four-piano vaudeville act (Billy Mayerl and His Claviers); toured England and recorded for Decca. WWII: joined ENSA and entertained troops throughout Europe. Talks about meeting Jimmy McPartland and performing with him in USO service shows (Belgium/1944). She married McPartland in 1945 and, the following year, moved to the US. Talks about NYC, Chicago, and meeting Louis Armstrong, Mary Lou Williams, Billie Holiday, Ellington, Gene Krupa and the De Paris brothers; labored over arrangement of Bix Beiderbecke's In a mist; and learned that Jimmy had a drinking problem. Established her own trio, most often performing at the Hickory House (NYC/1950s). The trio performed opposite Eddie Heywood and with Roy Eldridge and Coleman Hawkins. Discusses Duke Ellington, his book (Music is my mistress/1973) and his participation in her jazz education work. Mentions Billy Taylor's parallel efforts to educate the young: Jazz Mobile and Taylor Made Piano. Talks about Louis Armstrong as a performer and person. Then, at length, about her nationally syndicated radio series Piano jazz; guests included Bill Evans, Dave Brubeck, Benny Carter, Dizzy Gillespie, Alice Coltrane, etc. Continues with discussion of the famous Art Kane photograph, featuring herself and other jazz greats of the period (1958); subsequent Jean Bach film, A great day in Harlem (a documentary based on Kane's photograph); and Kane's suicide. Mentions Elvis Presley and his adaptation of old rhythm & blues tunes (referred to as "race music"). Talks about Wynton Marsalis, Herbie Hancock, Pat Metheny, and, through adaptation of traditional arrangements, leaving a legacy of jazz. Proceeds to discuss her book, All in good time (1987) and her attempt to write an autobiography; also discusses Ambiance, a composition produced by her label Halcyon (1970). Concludes the interview by playing a tribute to Mary Lou Williams titled Threnody
DVD Video, English, 1996