Abstract

Regina McCoy was the wife of jazz trumpeter Roy McCoy. She sang in choirs at Douglass High School, Enon Baptist Church, and the Worldwide Church of God. She worked at Fort Holabird during World War II and later she worked briefly at the Regent Theater on Pennsylvania Avenue. In 1943 she married Roy McCoy. She shared her husband's love for music and interest in photography.

Abstract Roy McCoy (1920-2001) began his musical career as a member of the Afro-American Drum and Bugle Corp. He studied with Clarence "Babe" Bright and A. Jack Thomas. He joined Sammy Louis's Band at the Ritz on Pennsylvania Aveue, where his towering height and size 14 shoes earned him the nickname "Tanglefoot." By 1937 he was a member of the house band at the Royal Theater. In 1942 he joined Lionel Hampton's band, with whom he toured and recorded. After a year on the road, McCoy returned to...

Abstract Melvin Miles began studying trumpet in elementary school and continued at Calverton Junior High School with Chester Rowlett, who inspired him to begin composing music. While a student at Douglass High, he performed with Frankie and the Spinners, a local rhythm and blues group and, later, with the Whatnauts (later reorganized as The Sound Experience). Miles went on to perform with the band at Morgan State University, where he would later serve on the faculty of the Music Department. He also...

Abstract

Delandria Mills is a jazz, gospel, and classical flutist, composer, educator, and author. She has studied at Prairie View A&M University and the Peabody Conservatory. Interview by Elizabeth Schaaf.

Abstract A graduate of Howard University, Fannie Newton Moragne (d. 2009) began her music training at Frederick Douglass High School and continued her training at Howard University, where she received her Bachelor of Music degree. She studied with Constantia Reckling, John Eltermann, Herman Schwarz, Martin Rich and Vincent Stanelli. Moragne toured throughout the United States as a soloist and was for many years a member of the faculty of the Baltimore Institute of Musical Arts. She appeared...

Abstract

A graduate of Benedict College, Russ Moss toured with the Benedict College Choir during his college days. A camera operator for WJZ-TV and a gifted photographer, he is also active as a musician in the Baltimore-Washington area. Moss has performed with the Stef Scaggiari Trio and Annapolis Junction. Interview by Elizabeth Schaaf.

Abstract Daughter of bandleader Cab Calloway and niece of singer Blanche Calloway, Camay Calloway Murphy attended Hunter College and New York University. She taught in West Africa, then served as supervisor of early childhood education and as principal in the public schools in Arlington, Virginia. After moving to Baltimore in the early 1980s, she became the director of the Eubie Blake Cultural Center in Baltimore, where she has been instrumental in encouraging and providing opportunities for young...

Abstract Aubrey Maurice Murphy was a pianist, organist, conductor, and vocal instructor. He studied at the Peabody Conservatory, where he earned a Bachelor of Music in 1961 and a Master of Music in 1963, becoming the first African American to receive a master's from Peabody. He served as organist for St. Mary's Episcopal Church, St. Peter Claver Church, and St. James Episcopal Church. He was accompanist for the Baltimore Choral Arts Society for many years. He served on the faculties of the Baltimore...

Abstract William (Bill) Myers began his musical studies in piano with Adah K. Jenkins. He then studied with Georgiana Chester at Douglass High School, at the Peabody Preparatory and Peabody Conservatory (BM 1962, MM 1968, Music Education), and at Morgan State University. Myers served with the U.S. Army Special Services in Europe in the 1960s. After returning to the U.S. and graduating from the Peabody Conservatory, Myers began teaching music and leading choirs in the Baltimore County Schools. Since...

Abstract

Audio memoirs by trumpet player Roy McCoy about his early career in the Baltimore jazz scene in the 1930s and 1940s. No interviewer present on recording.

Scope and Contents

Audio recording of jazz band rehearsal featuring trumpeter Roy McCoy.