Guide to the Sam Rivers Archive, 1923-2011, CAM.2023.01

Arrangement

Repository
ULS Archives & Special Collections
Title
Sam Rivers Archive
Creator
Rivers, Sam
Collection Number
CAM.2023.01
Extent
92.622 Linear Feet (43 record center boxes, 16 document cases, 29 media cases, 6 oversized flat cases)
Date
1923-2011
Abstract
The Sam Rivers Archive contains an extensive collection of Rivers' manuscript scores and parts, commercially and non-commercially released recordings, programs and posters, some financial documents, photographs, magazine and newspaper articles, awards, art and other ephemera that helps document his creative process and extraordinary career.
Language
English
Publisher
ULS Archives & Special Collections
Address
University of Pittsburgh Library System
Archives & Special Collections
Website: library.pitt.edu/archives-special-collections
Business Number: 412-648-3232 (Thomas) | 412-648-8190 (Hillman)
Contact Us: www.library.pitt.edu/ask-archivist
URL: http://library.pitt.edu/archives-special-collections

Processing Information

This collection was processed by Kathryn Haines, with assistance from Emma Steckline and Jaina DeMeter, from 2023-2025.

Acquisition Information

Gift of Monique Rivers Rencher William on January 7, 2023.

Biographical / Historical

Sam Rivers was born on September 25, 1923, and grew up in Chicago and Little Rock, Arkansas, studying piano, violin, reeds, and trombone. After serving in the Navy during World War II, he attended the Boston Conservatory (1947–53) and played with Herb Pomeroy, Quincy Jones, Charlie Mariano, and Joe Gordon. From 1955–7 he toured with R+B bands in Florida before returning to Boston in 1958, where he played with Hal Galper and fourteen-year-old drummer Tony Williams.

Rivers moved to New York in 1964 and worked briefly with Miles Davis before signing with Blue Note and releasing his first album Fuchsia Swing Song (1964), which included one of his best-known tunes, "Beatrice," which he wrote to honor his wife Bea who he had met in Boston. In the years that followed he released Contours (1965), and A New Conception (1966). In the 1960s he also appeared on albums by Tony Williams, Andrew Hill, and Cecil Taylor. During these years Rivers became involved with the free jazz movement and went to great lengths to create a unique sound, including developing his own exercises.

In the 1970s Rivers and his wife, Bea, opened Studio Rivbea in New York, where he taught lessons, conducted workshops, and hosted live performances. Studio Rivbea quickly became one of the most well-known venues for the presentation of new jazz. During this time Sam led multiple groups, including the Harlem Ensemble, the Rivbea Orchestra, a woodwind ensemble called Winds of Change, and a virtuosic trio, all of which he extensively toured with. He also provided the music for two experimental operas, Black Cowboys and Solomon and Sheba, recorded for Impulse! (Streams, 1973), and collaborated with bassist Dave Holland.

Rivbea closed in 1977 due to flooding issues, rising rents, and competing music events. Sam and Bea moved to New Jersey where he intended to set up another rehearsal band. Instead, Dizzie Gillespie invited Sam to join his world tour. After two years of touring with Gillespie's United Nations Orchestra, Sam and Bea relocated to Orlando, Florida, in 1991. There, Sam quickly formed a new big band—for which he was composing constantly—and a trio that included Doug Matthews and Anthony Cole. He released several albums with his new groups, including Trilogy, which contained twenty-two never before heard compositions. Two of three albums in Trilogy were nominated for Grammy Awards.

Sam's last gig with the Rivbea Orchestra was on October 22, 2011. Just over two months later, on December 26, 2011, Sam passed away from pneumonia.

Arrangement

The Sam Rivers Collection is divided into nine different series, I. Scores II. Recordings III. Promotional Materials IV. Published Articles and Interviews V. Photos VI. Awards VII. Business Records VIII. Personal Possessions

Scope and Contents

The Sam Rivers Archive covers his career from the 1950s until his death in 2009, including materials from Studio Rivbea in New York.

Preferred Citation

Sam Rivers Archive, 1923-2011, CAM.2023.01, Archives and Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System

Copyright

All rights reserved. University of Pittsburgh.

Access Restrictions

No restrictions.

Subjects

    Corporate Names

    • RivBea All-Star Orchestra
    • Studio Rivbea

    Personal Names

    • Rivers, Sam

    Genres

    • scores (documents for music)
    • Sound recordings
    • Concert programs
    • Promotional Materials
    • Clippings (Information artifacts)
    • Photographs
    • Personalia
    • Music posters

    Other Subjects

    • Jazz
    • Music -- Performance
    • Jazz musicians
    • African American jazz musicians
    • Musicians, Black
    • Jazz ensembles

Container List