The University of Chicago Library > The Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center > Finding Aids > Guide to the Wilbur and Valarie Campbell Collection 1958-2004
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The Wilbur and Valarie Campbell Collection was processed and preserved as part of the "Uncovering New Chicago Archives Project," funded with support from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.
| Title: | Campbell, Wilbur and Valarie. Collection |
|---|---|
| Dates: | 1958-2004 |
| Size: | 10.5 linear feet (12 boxes) |
| Repository: |
Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center |
| Abstract: | Wilbur and Valarie Campbell. Wilbur Campbell, Chicago drummer; Valarie Campbell, wife and jewelry maker. The Wilbur and Valarie Campbell Collection contains correspondence, articles, artifacts, photographs, publications, posters, audio-visual material, and event ephemera. |
Series III, Audio-Visual, does not include access copies for part or all of the material in this series. Researchers will need to consult with staff before requesting material from this series.
The collection is open for research.
When quoting material from this collection, the preferred citation is: Campbell. Wilbur and Valarie, Collection. [Box#, Folder#], Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library
Wilbur Campbell was born on July 29, 1926 in Chicago, Illinois. He attended DuSable High School and was a member of “Captain Walter Dyett’s Dynasty” which produced more than 200 internationally known musicians. Although he was trained on piano, vibraphone, and drums, Campbell eventually settled on the drums after a three day-long practice with legendary vibes player Milton Jackson. At the age of fifteen, Campbell played his first professional gig in a band called “Baby Band,” a band named for its young musicians. Two years later, he was featured in a Down Beat article called “Young Lion.” From 1945-1947, he served in the United States Navy.
After living in New York and traveling, Campbell settled in Chicago. In 1948, he married Osceola Simmons. As one of Chicago’s first-call drummers, he often played with Lester Young, Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, and Thelonious Monk when they performed in the city.
Campbell was active in the Jazz Institute of Chicago in various capacities, including director, vice president, and programming committees for the Jazz Express and annual Chicago Jazz Festival. He also worked for the state of Illinois as a drug counselor. In 1972, he married Valarie Thompson-Villard.
Valarie (Thompson-Villard) Campbell was born on February 19, 1939 in Chicago, Illinois. She attended Parker High School where she was the first freshman on the swim team. After high school, she married and had a son Martin Villard.
In 1967, she began work at Commonwealth Edison and retired from there in 1994. In January 1971, Valarie began studying business at Roosevelt University where she met Wilbur Campbell. After marrying in 1972, the two traveled around the world, meeting jazz musicians and making lifelong friends.
She was an ardent jewelry maker and beader. Valarie served on the board of the Bead Society of Great Chicago. In October 2007, she sent her beads and tools to South Africa with the hope of helping those struggling with HIV/AIDS.
Wilbur Campbell died on December 30, 1999. Valarie Campbell died on January 17, 2008.
The Wilbur and Valarie Campbell Collection is organized into six series: Series I, Personal; Series II, Events and Musicians; Series III, Audio-Visual; Series IV, Publications; Series V, Oversize; and Series VI, Artifacts and Awards. The Wilbur and Valarie Campbell Collection contains correspondence, articles, artifacts, photographs, publications, posters, audio-visual material, and event ephemera.
Series I, Personal, contains business cards, award certificates, calendars, correspondence, an essay, an article, and photographs. Correspondence includes letters from the Chicago Federation of Musicians, Jazz Institute of Chicago, family, and friends and may include newsletters, photographs, newspaper articles, and business cards. The award certificates acknowledge Wilbur Campbell’s contribution to the field of jazz as well as the field of substance abuse awareness. The performance contracts are for various concerts given by Campbell throughout Chicago. The essay was written by Campbell for a humanities class. A Down Beat article features Wilbur Campbell. See Series III and IV for additional material.
Series II, Events and Musicians, contains advertisements, fliers, articles and photographs of various musicians. Events include the Newport Jazz Festival, Chicago Jazz Festival, and the Mary Lou Williams Women in Jazz Festival as well as Chicago concerts and performances. There are receipts documenting a performance tour to Egypt. See Series IV for additional material.
Series III, Audio-Visual, contains photographs from various Chicago Jazz Festivals, an International Association of Jazz Educators event, performances at the Jazz Showcase, and trips to Egypt, Jerusalem, and Mexico, as well as publicity photographs of Wilbur Campbell. The unlabeled photographs appear to be of Wilbur and Valarie Campbell with family, friends, and jazz musicians. Audio cassettes and compact discs are arranged alphabetically by musician and are distinguished by personal and commercial recordings. There is a video cassette of a Grant Park performance given by Campbell. See Series V for additional photographs.
Series IV, Publications, contains jazz magazines and newsletters including Down Beat, Jazz Times, Jazzgram, and Jazz Journal.
Series V, Oversize, contains jazz publications, news magazines, newspaper articles, sheet music, posters, and photographs, arranged by format and size. The articles are from the Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Tribune, Tempo, and Jazz Echo and are about various arts events and venues in Chicago, including the Jazz Showcase and the Chicago Jazz Festivals. The Book of Negro Folklore was edited by Langston Hughes and Arna Bontemps and The Story of Jazz was written by Marshall W. Stearns. Sheet music is arranged alphabetically by title and includes printed, published, photocopied, and transcribed music. The posters advertise events and performances in Chicago. Also included are announcements for Chicago-based performances given by various musicians. See Series II and IV for additional material.
Series VI, Artifacts and Awards, contains drum sticks, brushes, and other percussion accessories. Also included are awards from Jazz Masters and the Jazz Institute of Chicago, and a framed painting of Campbell.
Chicago Jazz Archive
Jazz Institute of Chicago. Records
Series I: Personal |
| Box 1 Folder 1 | Article, “Wilbur Campbell: Hot House Drummer,” 1974 |
| Box 1 Folder 2 | Awards, 1981-1999 |
| Box 1 Folder 3 | Business Cards, undated |
| Box 1 Folder 4 | Calendar, 1978 |
| Box 1 Folder 5 | Calendar, 1979 |
| Box 1 Folder 6 | Calendar, 1995 |
| Box 1 Folder 7 | Correspondence, 1977-1979 |
| Box 1 Folder 8 | Correspondence, 1977-1979 |
| Box 1 Folder 9 | Correspondence, 1992-1997 |
| Box 1 Folder 10 | Essay, 1974 |
| Box 1 Folder 11 | Notebook, undated |
| Box 1 Folder 12 | Notes, 1999 |
| Box 1 Folder 13 | Obituary, 2000 |
| Box 1 Folder 14 | Performance Contracts, 1990-1996 |
| Box 1 Folder 15 | Personal Planner, 1996 |
Series II: Events and Musicians |
| Box 1 Folder 16 | Event, 14th Annual Floating Jazz Festival, 1996 |
| Box 2 Folder 1 | Event, 16th Annual Chicago Jazz Festival, 1994 |
| Box 2 Folder 2 | Event, 17th Annual Chicago Jazz Festival, 1995 |
| Box 2 Folder 3 | Event, Buttons, 1981 |
| Box 2 Folder 4 | Event, Chicago Old Style Jazz Festival, 1988 |
| Box 2 Folder 5 | Event, Festival Internacional de Jazz, 2001 |
| Box 2 Folder 6 | Event, Grant Park Concert, 1977 |
| Box 2 Folder 7 | Event, Jazz City, 2007 |
| Box 2 Folder 8 | Event, The Jazz Express Concert, 1989 |
| Box 2 Folder 9 | Event, Jazz Institute of Chicago 19th Annual Jazz Fair, 1997 |
| Box 2 Folder 10 | Event, Jazz Showcase, 1997-2004 |
| Box 2 Folder 11 | Event, Mary Lou Williams Women in Jazz Festival, 1996 |
| Box 2 Folder 12 | Event, New Foxhole Café, 1976 |
| Box 2 Folder 13 | Event, Newport Jazz Festival, New York, 1972 |
| Box 2 Folder 14 | Event, Now’s The Time Benefit Concert, 1995 |
| Box 2 Folder 15 | Event, Restaurant Menu, Bamboo East, 1966 |
| Box 2 Folder 16 | Event, Roosevelt University All-Star Jazz Concert, 1993 |
| Box 2 Folder 17 | Event, Sweet Home Chicago, 1992 |
| Box 2 Folder 18 | Event, Theatre Under The Stars, 1977 |
| Box 2 Folder 19 | Event, Tri-C Jazz Fest, 1997 |
| Box 2 Folder 20 | Event, Trip to Egypt, 1990 |
| Box 2 Folder 21 | Event, Wilbur Campbell’s Red Sea Jazz Festival Chicago All-Stars, undated |
| Box 2 Folder 22 | Event, Unidentified |
| Box 2 Folder 23 | Musician, Clifford Jordan Discography, 1987 |
| Box 2 Folder 24 | Musician, Cole-McPherson Quintet, 1990 |
| Box 2 Folder 25 | Musician, Eddie Hams, 1996 |
| Box 2 Folder 26 | Musician, Elmer Parker McDougal, Jr., 1994 |
| Box 2 Folder 27 | Musician, Francine Griffin, 1989 |
| Box 2 Folder 28 | Musician, Frank Morgan, 1996 |
| Box 2 Folder 29 | Musician, Gene Ammons, 1974 |
| Box 2 Folder 30 | Musician, Jackie McLean, 1980 |
| Box 2 Folder 31 | Musician, James W. Davis, 1995 |
| Box 2 Folder 32 | Musician, James Moody, 1993 |
| Box 2 Folder 33 | Musician, Jay McShann, 1991 |
| Box 2 Folder 34 | Musician, Joe Henderson, 1986 |
| Box 2 Folder 35 | Musician, Miki Antonelli, undated |
| Box 2 Folder 36 | Musician, Prince James, undated |
| Box 2 Folder 37 | Musician, Richard W. Goodman, 1997 |
| Box 2 Folder 38 | Musician, Rob Mazurek-John Brunbach Quintet, 1994 |
| Box 2 Folder 39 | Musician, Scott Hamilton, undated |
| Box 2 Folder 40 | Musician, Von Freeman, undated |
| Box 2 Folder 41 | Musician, Walter Dyett’s Orchestra, undated |
| Box 2 Folder 42 | Musician, Willie Pickens, 1996 |
Series III: Audio-Visual |
| Box 2 Folder 43 | Audio Cassettes, 1956-1996
|
| Box 3 Folder 1 | Audio Cassettes, 1958-1999
|
| Box 3 Folder 2 | Audio Cassettes, Unidentified |
| Box 3 Folder 3 | Compact Discs, Commercial, 1993-1997
|
| Box 3 Folder 4 | Compact Discs, Commercial, 1993-1997
|
| Box 3 Folder 5 | Compact Discs, 1994-2000
|
| Box 3 Folder 6 | Compact Discs, Commercial, 1994-1995
|
| Box 4 Folder 1 | Compact Discs, Commercial, 1992-1998
|
| Box 4 Folder 2 | Photographs, 1977 |
| Box 4 Folder 3 | Photographs, 1979 |
| Box 4 Folder 4 | Photographs, circa 1995 |
| Box 4 Folder 5 | Photographs, Chicago Jazz Festival, circa 1988 |
| Box 4 Folder 6 | Photographs, Chicago Jazz Festival, 2000 |
| Box 4 Folder 7 | Photographs, Great Day in Jazz 50th Anniversary, Jazz Showcase, 1947-1997 |
| Box 4 Folder 8 | Photographs, International Association of Jazz Educators, 1997 |
| Box 4 Folder 9 | Photographs, Jazz Showcase, 1977 |
| Box 4 Folder 10 | Photographs, Campbell and Other Musicians, undated |
| Box 4 Folder 11 | Photographs, Campbell and Other Musicians, undated |
| Box 4 Folder 12 | Photographs, Campbells and Others, undated |
| Box 4 Folder 13 | Photographs, Publicity, undated |
| Box 5 Folder 1 | Photographs, Trip to Egypt, undated |
| Box 5 Folder 2 | Photographs, Trip to Jamaica, undated |
| Box 5 Folder 3 | Photographs, Trip to Jerusalem, undated |
| Box 5 Folder 4 | Photographs, Trip to Jerusalem, undated |
| Box 5 Folder 5 | Photographs, Trip to Mexico, undated |
| Box 5 Folder 6 | Video Cassette, Grant Park Performance, undated |
Series IV: Publications |
| Box 5 Folder 7 | Advertisement, undated |
| Box 5 Folder 8 | Adventure Road, 1976 |
| Box 5 Folder 9 | Arts Midwest Newsletter, 1995-1996 |
| Box 5 Folder 10 | Book of Negro Folklore, 1958 |
| Box 6 Folder 1 | The Bride’s Book of Etiquette, 1968 |
| Box 6 Folder 2 | Chicago Reader, 1996 |
| Box 6 Folder 3 | The Chicago Reporter, 1987 |
| Box 6 Folder 4 | Chicago Tribune TV Week, 1978 |
| Box 6 Folder 5 | The Cosmo Girl’s 1979 Bedside Astrologer, 1979 |
| Box 6 Folder 6 | Crescendo, 1992 |
| Box 6 Folder 7 | Down Beat, 1973-1985 |
| Box 6 Folder 8 | Down Beat, 1997-1999 |
| Box 6 Folder 9 | Edison Service News, 1977 |
| Box 6 Folder 10 | “From Dreamland to Showcase: Jazz in Chicago, 1912-1996,” undated |
| Box 6 Folder 11 | International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, 1977-1978 |
| Box 6 Folder 12 | Jazz Educators Journal, 1997 |
| Box 6 Folder 13 | Jazz Masters Journal, 1994 |
| Box 6 Folder 14 | JazzTimes, 1991 |
| Box 6 Folder 15 | Jazzgram, 1989-1997 |
| Box 6 Folder 16 | Jazziz, 2004 |
| Box 6 Folder 17 | Metronome, 1957 |
| Box 6 Folder 18 | “Movin On Down De Line,” 1975 |
| Box 6 Folder 19 | Midwest Jazz, 1993-1996 |
| Box 7 Folder 1 | Midwest Jazz, 1997-1998 |
| Box 7 Folder 2 | Newsweek, 1978 |
| Box 7 Folder 3 | Newsweek, 1978 |
| Box 7 Folder 4 | New York, 1977 |
| Box 7 Folder 5 | Park’s Flower Book, 1977 |
| Box 7 Folder 6 | Playboy Book Club, 1977 |
| Box 7 Folder 7 | Psychology Today, 1977 |
| Box 7 Folder 8 | Radio Free Jazz, 1979 |
| Box 7 Folder 9 | “The Real Vocal Book Vol. I,” undated |
| Box 7 Folder 10 | “Rhythm Analysis and Basic Co-ordination,” 1977 |
| Box 7 Folder 11 | The Story of Jazz, 1975 |
| Box 7 Folder 12 | Sound News Vol.III, 1995 |
| Box 7 Folder 13 | Time Magazine, 1977 |
| Box 7 Folder 14 | “A Traveler’s Guide to African American Heritage,” 1994 |
| Box 7 Folder 15 | Where Chicago, 1994 |
| Box 7 Folder 16 | Woman’s Day, 1991 |
Series V: Oversize |
| Box 8 Folder 1 | Articles, 1966-1992 |
| Box 8 Folder 2 | Articles, 1977-2000 |
| Box 8 Folder 3 | Calendar, 1979 |
| Box 8 Folder 4 | Event, 1st Annual “Boogie for Corners,” undated |
| Box 8 Folder 5 | Event, Chicago Jazz Festival, 2006 |
| Box 8 Folder 6 | Event, Ravinia Festival, 1978 |
| Box 8 Folder 7 | Musician, Arlene and The Red Tags, undated |
| Box 8 Folder 8 | Musician, John Gilmore, undated |
| Box 8 Folder 9 | Musician, Sun Ra and his Arkestra, undated |
| Box 8 Folder 10 | Publication, Chicago Jazz Magazine, 2004 |
| Box 8 Folder 11 | Publication, Himalayan News, 1978 |
| Box 8 Folder 12 | Publication, Illinois State Employees Association Newsletter, 1978 |
| Box 8 Folder 13 | Publication, International Musician, 1978 |
| Box 8 Folder 14 | Publication, The Intermezzo, 1978 |
| Box 8 Folder 15 | Publication, Jazz News, 1992 |
| Box 8 Folder 16 | Publication, “The Talk of the Town,” undated |
| Box 8 Folder 17 | Sheet Music, A-J, 1964-1996
|
| Box 8 Folder 18 | Sheet Music, M-Y, 1966-1992
|
| Box 8 Folder 19 | Sheet Music, Unidentified |
| Box 9 Folder 1 | Photograph, Chicago Jazz Festival, 1996 |
| Box 9 Folder 2 | Photograph, Great Day in Jazz 50th Anniversary, Jazz Showcase, 1947-1997 |
| Box 9 Folder 3 | Photographs, Campbell, undated |
| Box 9 Folder 4 | Photographs, Campbell and Others, undated |
| Box 9 Folder 5 | Poster, Chicago Jazz Festivals, undated |
| Box 9 Folder 6 | Poster, Foxhole Café |
| Box 9 Folder 7 | Poster, Jazz Showcase, 1979 |
| Box 9 Folder 8 | Poster, Jazz Showcase, undated |
| Box 9 Folder 9 | Poster, Newport Jazz Festival New York, 1972 |
| Box 9 Folder 10 | Poster, Playboy Lounge, undated |
| Box 9 Folder 11 | Poster, Roberts 500 Room, undated |
| Box 9 Folder 12 | Poster, Slugs’ in the Far East, undated |
Series VI: Artifacts and Awards |
| Box 10 | Drum Brushes |
| Box 10 | Drum Sticks |
| Box 10 | Pedal Buffers |
| Box 10 | Practice Pad |
| Box 11 | Award, Jazz Masters 1996 |
| Box 12 | Award, Jazz Institute Chicago |
| Box 12 | Framed Painting |