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Collection

Sonny Burke papers, circa 1949-1951 and undated 4 Linear Feet — 5 flat boxes; 76 complete big band charts — 5 flat boxes — 76 complete big band charts

The Sonny Burke Collection (chiefly undated, but some dated between Nov., 1949 and June, 1951) has as its focal point 76 arrangements of popular music for "Big Band." These charts were used by Burke's band during the 1940's-1950's for performances in the United States and Mexico. Most of the arrangements appear to be by Sonny Burke, but other composers/arrangers include: Frank Erickson, Hal Schaefer, Stan Kenton, John Valentine Eppel, Laurindo Almeida, and Ray Conniff. Some of the arrangements were made for recordings on the Decca Records label. The most common instrumentation is for two alto saxophones/clarinets, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, four trumpets and four trombones, although other combinations exist. The instrumentation is noted for each title in the Container List.