Wayman
A. Carver Collection
1927-2001
2 linear feet
NOTE: A paper copy
of the finding aid,
with container list,
is available at the
Atlanta University
Center Archives for
in-house consultation
and may be obtained
for a fee.
Wayman A. Carver (b. 1905 d. 1967) was a jazz musician and music educator.
A graduate of the class of 1929,
Wayman Carver is among the most notable alumni
of Clark College (now
Clark Atlanta University). While attending Clark
College he organized a jazz band, “The Collegians,” comprised
of local musicians and students from Clark and Morehouse
Colleges. They performed at social functions around
the city. After graduation Carver headed for New
York where he played and recorded with a number of
musicians and organized his own jazz bands, competing
with the top musicians of the day including Duke
Ellington. In 1934 he joined Chick Webb and his Orchestra
and played clarinet, flute and saxophone. He also
played flute as a member of the Webb’s interior
ensemble, affectionately called the “Little
Chicks.” During his tenure with the orchestra,
he composed “All’s Fair at the World’s
Fair” and “Swingin on the Reservation,” and
wrote the arrangement for “Spinning the Web.” After
Webb’s death in 1939 Ella Fitzgerald took leadership
of the band and Carver continued with the orchestra
through 1941. In 1942, Carver, his wife Joyce and
daughter Avis moved to Atlanta where he accepted
a faculty position in the music department at his
alma mater, Clark College. As an associate professor,
Carver distinguished himself as an outstanding music
educator and band director. He continued to compose
music and among his compositions is the school’s
fight song, “Hail Roaring Panthers,” that
the university band continues to perform today.
This small collection of papers
provides a glimpse into the life and accomplishments
of Wayman A. Carver.
The papers were donated by Carver’s daughter,
Avis Carver Turner. There are news articles and programs
documenting his activities and achievements. Copies
of some of the music he composed and documents related
to copyright and royalties are among the papers.
Of note are photographs of Carver as a member of
the Chick Webb and Ella Fitzgerald orchestras, as
band director at Clark College, and as a student
at Clark University and Vander Cook College. Also
there are autographed photographs of jazz musicians,
bands, orchestras, singers, and dancers including
Benny Carter, Dizzy Gillespie, Peg Leg Bates, and
the Nicholas Brothers.
For more information about Wayman Carver view the
link below:
www.waymancarver.com/ |