The HistoryMakers video oral history with John Levy.

Chicago, Illinois : The HistoryMakers, [2016]

1 online resource (5 video files (2 hr., 32 min., 37 sec.)) : sound, color.

Access is available to the Yale community.

Videographer, Matthew Hickey.

Access restricted by licensing agreement.

Music manager John Levy was born in New Orleans, Louisiana on April 11, 1912. Although he was encouraged by a teacher to find a job with the postal service, Levy dreamed of the music industry. After moving to New York in 1944, he began to play with some of the biggest names in jazz, performing with Billie Holiday at her comeback concert at Carnegie Hall in 1948. In 1951, Levy put performing aside in favor of management. He managed jazz greats including Herbie Hancock, Nancy Wilson and Ramsey Lewis. Levy continued to be active as a manager after more than fifty years in the business. He authored a book on his experiences in the record industry entitled, Men, Women and Girl Singers: My Life as a Musician Turned Talent Manager. In 1997, he was inducted into the International Jazz Hall of Fame. Levy passed away on January 20, 2012 at age 99.

Images / Online / Video & Film

English

February 04, 2021

Videographer, Matthew Hickey.

Larry Crowe, interviewer.