Charlie Barnet Collection of Big Band Arrangements, 1939-1949 Span: 1939-1949 English collection 18 ft. 38 boxes Charlie Barnet (1913-1991) was a saxophonist and bandleader. He formed several bands during the 1930s, and was one of the first white bandleaders to feature African-American musicians and to perform in both white and African-American venues. His primary band was formed in 1938, but in 1939 a fire destroyed the band's music library; this collection represents the arrangements from that post-fire period, including many of his signature titles, such as "Cherokee,” "I Hear a Rhapsody,” "Where Was I,” and "Skyliner”. Strongly influenced by the Duke Ellington orchestra, Barnet's band was among the musically more adventurous of the dance and swing bands, known for its jazz playing and "hard-swing riff numbers”. Arrangements for approximately 660 songs and instrumentals for big band, mostly full scores or short scores, but 35 include parts, and 40 titles are represented by parts only. Charlie Barnet Collection of Big Band Arrangements, Music Division, Library of Congress Barnet, Charlie Music library of the noted swing band leader and saxophonist. 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. Certain restrictions to use or copying of materials may apply. Big Band Music Arrangers (Musicians) Conductors (Music) Swing (Music) Barnet, Charlie ML31.B27 Performing Arts Encyclopedia scdb Music Division, Library of Congress http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.music/eadmus.mu010031 IHAS 110125 loc.natlib.scdb.200033555