THELONIUS MONK His career taking off, Monk contracts for an engagement in Philadelphia. Document signed: "Thelonius Monk", 1p, 8½x11. Also signed by Blue Note club owner "Lou Church." Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1956 November 11. Monk signs an American Federation of Musicians contract for four performances by his quartet at the Blue Note in Philadelphia. The gig includes two evening and two matinee performances. The price agreed upon is $750, to be paid at the end of the engagement. The other members of his ensemble are not named in the document. Accompanied by unsigned, captioned photo (b/w, 10x8) of Monk performing. Jazz pianist and composer Thelonius Monk (1917-1982) has been called "the high priest of bebop," although his idiosyncratic style defies glib categorization. Several of his compositions, including Round Midnight and Blue Monk are classics of the genre. Although Monk had been performing since the early 1940s and had already written some of his classic songs, it was not until the mid-1950s that his avant-garde style began to attract a wide audience. In 1956 he released Brilliant Corners, considered one of the classic jazz albums of all time. read more...

JULES MASSENET He has signed these autograph music and lyrics, the last four measures of his religious cantata, The Virgin, and dated it himself (1880) Autograph Musical Quotation signed: "J. Massenet/Paris 17-8-80", 1p, 10¾x3½. Inscribed by Massenet in French: "To Miss Eugenie Hautier/souvenir with respect". Massenet has identified the four long measures as the last measures of "Holy Friday", Third Scene of his religious cantata The Virgin scored by Massenet for four voices, one for each long measure, identified by Massenet as "Marie Salome", "Marie Magdalena", "Jean" and "Simon", with words penned in his hand. French composer Jules Massenet (1842-1912) made his name with the comic opera Don César de Bazan (1872). read more...

JULES MASSENET On the date of the premier of his comic opera masterpiece Manon, he penned and signed these four double bars from Act II. Autograph Musical Quotation signed: "J. Massenet”, in /Paris/1 er presentation op: comique/samedi 19 Janvier 1884 [1st presentation opera: comic/Saturday 19 January 1884]", in black ink, 9½x2½. The composer has drawn four double bars of music, and written in French: "Prelude de l'act II (Manon) [Prelude to Act II (Manon)]". This historical musical quote was written on the first performance of his comic opera, Manon, considered his operatic masterpiece. The opera, which premiered at the Opéra-Comique in Paris, is a staple in the repertoire of many operatic companies and has been featured on numerous recordings, beginning with the historic first recording in 1923. Jules Massenet (1842-1912), who was extremely popular in his day, wrote numerous operas, but Manon established his reputation as a composer. Lightly creased with folds, vertical fold at 1 word of writing. read more...

ANTON RUBINSTEIN 4¼x6½ cabinet photo, inscribed and signed by him in 1893, a year before his death. He has also penned a 5-bar musical quotation on it. His signature on a photograph is very rare. Autograph Musical Quotation on Photograph inscribed and signed (in French): "A Madame la Comtesse Rosa Lacchis/Souvenir Ant. Rubinstein/Cadenabbia/1893". Sepia 4¼x6½. Above the inscription is his autograph musical quotation (5 measures), which he has marked "Apassionato". Anton Rubinstein (1829-1894, born in Wechwotynetz, Russia, now in Transnistria, Republic of Moldova) founded and directed the St. Petersburg Conservatory of Music (1862-1867, 1887-1891). A virtuoso pianist and prolific composer, Rubinstein wrote several operas, including operas Feramors (1863), Dmitry Donskoy (1852) and Sibirskiye okhotniki (Siberian Huntmsen, 1854), six symphonies, five piano concertos for piano and numerous songs and chamber works. Adhesive and paper residue (previous mounting) on verso. Soiled and lightly foxed. read more...

THE MAMAS and THE PAPAS: JOHN PHILLIPS, MICHELLE PHILLIPS, DENNIS DOHERTY and CASS ELLIOTT The Mamas and the Papas sign a document terminating their contract with Dunhill Records, Inc., Beverly Hills, California. Photocopied Typed Document Signed: "John Phillips", "Michelle Phillips", "Dennis Doherty" and "Cass Elliott" and by the President of Dunhill Records, Inc. in ink, 1p, 8½x11. No place, 1967 September 25. Termination of their contract in letter form to Dunhill Records, Inc., Beverly Hills, California. Begins: "Gentlemen". In full: "This will confirm our understanding and agreement with you that the letter agreement dated as of April 28, 1966 between your predecessor in Dunhill Records Ltd. and us (a photocopy of which is annexed hereto) is hereby cancelled and nullified." Additional photocopy mentioned in document is not present. The day after this contract, Lou Adler resigned from Dunhill Records and was hired by the Mamas and the Papas to be their producer and, as an independent contractor, to supervise, direct and produce their recording sessions. read more...

THELONIOUS MONK His rare signature on a letter of agreement with Columbia Records, concerning recorded distribution of his live performance at the 1963 Newport Jazz Festival. Documentary Letter signed: "Thelonious Monk", 1 page, 8½x11. Forest Hills, N.Y., 1963 September 23. On letterhead of Columbia Records. Monk signs his assent to a letter referencing a prior agreement by him with Columbia Records (1962 July 30), and declaring that no additional compensation will be owed him for the recording of his performance at the 1963 Newport Jazz Festival unless the company issues a complete LP album featuring his performance exclusively. Jazz pianist and composer Thelonius Monk (1917-1982) has been called "the high priest of bebop," although his idiosyncratic style defies glib categorization. Several of his compositions, including Round Midnight and Blue Monk are classics of the genre. Although Monk had been performing since the early 1940s and had already written some of his classic songs, it was not until the mid-1950s that his avant-garde style began to attract a wide audience. In 1956 he released Brilliant Corners, considered one of the classic jazz albums of all time. read more...

SIGNED, HANDWRITTEN COPY OF "CHANTILLY LACE" RECOVERED FROM THE BIG BOPPER'S SUITCASE ON THE DAY THE MUSIC DIED J.P. RICHARDSON "THE BIG BOPPER" Autograph Musical Manuscript signed: "Big Bopper", 9½x12½ lined music paper. The second trumpet part for "Chantilly Lace", written in signer's hand in black ink. A "flat" sign has been added in blue ink to the key signature. Accompanied by photocopy of a handwritten letter from Richardson's son, J. P. Richardson, Jr., which reads in part: "These three pieces (Chantilly Lace, Big Boppers Wedding, Little Red Riding Hood), were recovered from my fathers' briefcase which survived the plane crash of Feb. 3, 1959." [The other two pieces mentioned are not included with the sale of this item.] Jiles Perry Richardson (1930-1959) was a Texas disc jockey who called himself "The Big Bopper" after the latest dance craze, the bop. His song, "Chantilly Lace", which he wrote and sang, reached the "Top Ten" in 1958. In January 1959, The Big Bopper was booked on the Winter Dance Party tour that would cover most of the Midwest. The tour included such headliners as Buddy Holly, Dion and the Belmonts, Waylon Jennings and Ritchie Valens. read more...

THE MAMAS AND THE PAPAS: JOHN PHILLIPS, MICHELLE PHILLIPS, DENNIS DOHERTY and CASS ELLIOT The Mamas and Papas sign a document requesting that the royalties from Dunhill Records, Inc. be paid. Rare Typed Document Signed: "John Phillips", "Michelle Phillips", "Cass Elliot" and "Dennis Doherty", 1p, 8½x11. No place, 1967 September 26. To Dunhill Records, Beverly Hills. In full: "The undersigned hereby irrevocably instruct and direct you to pay a sum equal to twenty (20%) per cent of any and all royalties payable to us from Dunhill Records, Inc., attributable to the sale of records embodying our performances on master recordings produced by Lou Adler, to Mr. Lou Adler at 800 Stone Canyon Road, Los Angeles, California 90024. All recording costs are to be borne solely by us." Adler's name and address are crossed out in black pen, most probably before this document was sold to a collector/dealer. The day after this contract, Adler resigned from Dunhill Records and was hired by read more...

TAX DOCUMENT REVEALS THAT GEORGE GERSHWIN GOT 60% AND IRA GERSHWIN RECEIVED 40% FROM THEIR COLLABORATIONS   GEORGE GERSHWIN and IRA GERSHWIN. Carbon Typed Document Signed: "George Gershwin" and "Ira Gershwin", 1p, 8½x13. Los Angeles, California, 1936 September 30. In part: "GEORGE GERSHWIN and IRA GERSHWIN each, being first duly sworn, deposes and says: That he is one of the parties to the written agreement dated July 29, 1936, executed by and between RKO STUDIOS, INC. and GEORGE GERSHWIN and IRA GERSHWIN, under the terms and conditions of which the said George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin are employed by the said RKO Studios, Inc. and under the terms and conditions of which the compensation payable to the said George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin is paid to them jointly, without any allocation between them. That under the terms and conditions of an agreement existing between the said George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin all compensation received by them read more...