"Wild" Bill Davison papers
Collection Overview
Abstract
The "Wild" Bill Davison papers document the life of a jazz cornetist. The collection focuses on his public and private life between 1906 through 1989. The collection consists of over 30 cubic feet of correspondence, magazines, news clippings, photographs, posters, art work, and books.
Dates
- Creation: 1906-1995
Extent
29.19 Cubic Feet (42 boxes, 7 loose oversize items)
Creator
- Davison, Wild Bill, 1906-1989 (Person)
Scope and Contents
The "Wild" Bill Davison papers are comprised of correspondence, photos of "Wild" Bill with friends and jazz artists, foreign and domestic publications, contracts, sheet music, concert itineraries, awards, foreign and domestic news clippings, and art work. Each series in this collection is extensive, the largest series being the correspondence, sheet music, photos, and news clippings.
The correspondence covers a span of sixty years. This series consists of letters from friends, business associates, and fans to "Wild" Bill and Anne. There are also copies of letters sent from Anne Davison regarding "Wild" Bill.
The foreign and domestic news clippings are also an important series in this collection. These news clippings range from the 1940s through the year of his death, 1989, and well into the 1990s. The news clippings cover "Wild" Bill and Anne's private and public life. This series has extensive information on his career and life and is an integral part of this collection.
The photographs are largely identified although many are not dated. The photographs depict "Wild" Bill on his tours, as he is performing with various musicians and dignitaries, and with his family.
The sheet music may be of interest to musicians as many contain "Wild" Bill's notations. Contracts, dating 1950-1989, document the business aspect of a performer's life. Programs, posters, certificates, and awards complete this collection and highlight "Wild" Bill's popularity and abilities as a jazz cornetist.
The "Wild" Bill Davison Collection is an excellent source for any researcher or fan interested in researching his life and work. This collection is also a great resource for any researcher attempting to document the evolution of jazz in the 20th century in the United States, Europe, and/or Asia.
Biographical / Historical
William Edward Davison was born on January 5, 1906, in Defiance, Ohio. From an early age he was interested in playing music. By the age of 15 he left Defiance and moved to Cincinnati, then Chicago, and finally New York City. William Edward Davison, known affectionately as "Wild" Bill, recorded his first album in 1925, at the age of 19. "Wild" Bill was known for his casual, but hot, Chicago-style jazz. Though accomplished on several instruments he is most famous for playing the cornet.
During the mid-1940's, "Wild" Bill was drafted into the army. While in the army he played in a touring Dixieland band. He received an honorable discharge in 1945 and was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, much to the amusement of his friends. After he was discharged, "Wild" Bill spent a successful dozen years playing in Eddie Condon's band and touring with them throughout the United States and Europe.
In 1954, "Wild" Bill met his fifth and last wife, Anne Stewart. Anne, a former actress under contract with 20th Century-Fox, became not only "Wild" Bill's wife but also his manager. During the last twenty years of his life "Wild" Bill concentrated on playing jazz in Europe and Asia. He and Anne spent several years living in Denmark and Japan. In Europe and Asia, "Wild" Bill found more success and appreciation than in the United States. "Wild" Bill Davison died on November 14, 1989, at the age of 83.
Conditions Governing Access
No known access restrictions.
Conditions Governing Use
Researchers using this collection assume full responsibility for conforming to the laws of libel, privacy, and copyright, and are responsible for securing permissions necessary for publication or reproduction.
Language of Materials
English
Separated Materials
Recordings and selected books and sheet music from the collection were transferred to the Music Library and Bill Schurk Archives, Bowling Green State University.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The collection was donated by Anne Davison on March 10, 1995.
Processing Information
The collection was processed by Jennifer Hults, graduate assistant. The finding aid was completed in January 1997.
Subject
- Davison, Wild Bill, 1906-1989 (Person)
- Title
- Guide to the "Wild" Bill Davison papers
- Author
- Jennifer Hults, Libby Hertenstein, Nick Pavlik
- Date
- January 1997, October 2018, February 2022
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
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