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Eva Jessye

Composer
Musician
Civil Rights
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Brief

     Dr. Jessye (1895-1992) was a preeminent Conductor, Choral Director, founder of the Eva Jessye Choir, and the first Black woman to earn international distinction as a director of a professional choral group. She was the first musical director for the original production of Porgy and Bess and, devoted to Civil Rights, Jessye and the Eva Jessye Choir were appointed by Dr. Martin Luther King as the official choir of the 1963 March on Washington.

‍Collections & Papers

1.  Eva Jessye Collection 1885-1994 (largely digitized), Pittsburg State University Special Collections, Leonard H. Axe Library

The Collection contains personal papers, writings, musical scores, photographs, and programs. It also contains her contributions to film and stage productions like Porgy and Bess and Hallelujah.

2.  Eva Jessye collection, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division, The New York Public Library

The Collection contains her funeral and other memorial programs, personal and professional correspondence,  newspaper clippings, critiques, and Eva Jessye Choir performance programs.

3.  Eva Jessye Collection 1927-1992, University of Michigan, Bentley Historical Library.

The Collection contains personal papers as well as materials, personal notes, and a travel diary, production writings, poetry, speeches, personal and professional correspondence, collected articles, reviews, programs, family photographs, as well as production and publicity shots.

4.  Kenneth Spencer Research Library Archival Collection, University of Kansas

This Collection contains photographs of Dr. Jessye from Pittsburg State University in Kansas and the University of Michigan

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Attributions
Attributions
Attributions
Unknown, Unknown, "Program, n.d., "Porgy and Bess" by George and Ira Gershwin and DuBose Hewyard" (2015). Eva Jessye Programs. 108. https://digitalcommons.pittstate.edu/ejpr/108
Birth
January 20, 1895, Coffeyville, Kansas
Death
February 21, 1992 (age 97), Ann Arbor, MI
Resting Place
Language(s)
Spouse(s)
Partner(s)
Relatives
Associate(s)
Alma Mater

Western University (at Quandaro, Kansas City), Langston University

Influenced
Influenced By
Did You Know?
Colleague(s)
Collaborator(s)
Children
Awards & Honors
Parents
Occupation
Choir Director
Certification(s)
License(s)
Education
Organization(s)

Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.

Appointment(s)
Notable Works
Notable Performances

The Eva Jessye Choir performed “We Shall Overcome” and “Freedom Is the Thing We’re Talking About” at the August 28, 1963 March on Washington.

Notable Moments
Military Rank/Branch
Years of Service
Political Affiliation
Associations
Genre(s)
Preceptors

Will Marion, Cook Percy Goetschius

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Legacy
Thesis
Books
Website
*some sources say April 6, 1845

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