THE HILL-MANGURIAN COLLECTION

Between 1958 and 1961, Donald Hill and David Mangurian, two friends from Pomona College, CA, traveled around the country several times recording and interviewing nearly 60, folk, blues, country, and jazz musicians, ranging from well-known to obscure.

A few of their recordings were issued in the 1960s on small record labels. After that, their tape recordings languished in storage boxes in their homes. In 2007, the Grammy Foundation awarded Hill and Mangurian a grant to digitize their reel-to-reel field recordings, catalog and document their collection.

Rena Kosersky, who has extensive knowledge of American musicians and rights issues, was brought into the project to find the artists or their heirs or representatives to obtain their permission to donate the collection to the American Folklife Center of the Library of Congress, which is working with Hill and Mangurian to preserve the recordings and make them available to researchers. The search is difficult because most of the musicians were old when recorded and died years ago.

The project is seeking the public’s help in locating heirs or representatives for many of the musicians. Any information will be greatly appreciated.

PRESS

The Tri-State Defender. February 14, 2008. "Interest in recordings from 50's 60's prompts search for artists, heirs."Article focuses on Memphis & Nashville recordings.

In conjunction with Arlo Leach and the May 3rd,Will Shade Gravestone Dedication, we are currently focusing on

WILL SHADE AND THE MEMPHIS JUG BAND


The Memphis Jug Band appeared with many different musicians. Those recorded by Hill and Mangurian include

Will Shade, Gus Cannon, Laura Dukes, Catherine Young, Mary Mitchell and Charles Hicks

performing 1920s style jug band music on guitar, banjo, banjo uke, harmonica, washtub bass, vocals. In addition, Hill and Mangurian taped an interview with the musicians. Memphis, TN.

Any information or leads are greatly appreciated. Contact linda@lindagriggs.com or call 212 777-9837.