{"id":4466,"date":"2026-08-17T21:09:02","date_gmt":"2026-08-17T21:09:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/library.umbc.edu\/specialcollections\/finding-aids\/coll312\/"},"modified":"2026-09-03T15:11:31","modified_gmt":"2026-09-03T15:11:31","slug":"coll312","status":"publish","type":"finding_aid","link":"https:\/\/library.umbc.edu\/specialcollections\/finding-aids\/coll312\/","title":{"rendered":"Left Bank Jazz Society Inc. Collection"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Overview<\/h1>\n
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Title:<\/td>\nLeft Bank Jazz Society Inc. Collection<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Call Number:<\/td>\nColl312<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Creator:<\/td>\nWelsh, Vernon L., (1919-2002)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Dates:<\/td>\n1953-1992<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Size:<\/td>\n2 boxes (2.5 linear feet))<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Abstract:<\/td>\nThe Left Bank Jazz Society was a Baltimore, Maryland- based organization formed in 1964, which hosted a series of concerts featuring nationally acclaimed performers such as Dizzy Gillespie, Duke Ellington, and Count Basie. This collection contains the Left Bank Jazz Society Constitution, news releases, concert programs and flyers, \u201cThe Baltimore Jazz Scene\u201d yearbooks, artists files, and publicity photographs of performers between 1964 and the early 1990s.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Citation:<\/td>\nLeft Bank Jazz Society Inc. Collection, Collection 312, Special Collections, University of Maryland, Baltimore County (Baltimore, MD).<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n
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Administrative\/Biographical Note<\/h1>\n

Left Bank Jazz Society Inc. was founded by Vernon L. Welsh (10 February 1919- 8 August 2002) and Benny Kearse (16 MArch 1930- 29 June 1999) in 1964. Welsh recorded hundreds of jazz performances at the Famous Ballroom during the 1960s and 1970s. Kearse was president of the group, which sponsored 47 concerts per season at its peak. The Left Bank\u2019s first gig was held at the Al- Ho Club, in the 2500 block of Frederick Ave., the year it was founded. The society established a long run at the Famous Ballroom in 1967.<\/p>\n

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Scope & Content<\/h1>\n

Arrangement<\/h2>\n

The Left Bank Jazz Society Inc. Collection is organized depending on the series and subseries. Series I subseries A and B are organized chronologically. Series I is organized alphabetically and Series I subseries C and Series II is alphabetically by last name. Series I: Society Files A: Administrative Files B: Artists’ Files C: Promotional Materials and Publications Series II: Photographs Series III: Scrapbook<\/p>\n

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Provenance Information<\/h1>\n

Provenance and Acquisition Information<\/h2>\n

Accessions MSS2020-07 and MSS2020-09.<\/p>\n

Processing Note<\/h2>\n

The collection was initially in the care of Desiree Collins, who discovered the materials in the former home of Mr. Kearse. The materials were then transferred to Second Story Books Inc. The collection was initially housed in clear sleeves, loose papers, and three ringed binders. An additional accretion was transferred to the archive soon after and was consolidated with the collection. Items were separated by and rehoused into archival grade sleeves and folders.<\/p>\n

Descriptive Rules Used<\/h2>\n

Describing Archives: a Content Standard (DACS)<\/p>\n

Archives Processing Manual: Description (2015)<\/a><\/p>\n

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Access & Use<\/h1>\n

Finding Aids<\/h2>\n

Finding aid available.<\/p>\n

Access Conditions<\/h2>\n

This collection is open for research. There are no restricted materials.<\/p>\n

Conditions Governing Reproductions and Use<\/h2>\n

Permission is required for all reproduction requests. Copyright maintained by the creator.<\/p>\n

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Subject Headings<\/h1>\n

Creators<\/h2>\n

Welsh, Vernon L., (1919-2002)<\/p>\n

Kearse, Benny, 1930-1999<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Series Description & Container List<\/h1>\n

Series I: Society Files<\/h2>\n
Description: <\/strong><\/p>\n

This series contains the administrative records, publicity materials, and various files kept on many musical artists that performed as headliners for the Left Bank Jazz Society members.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Subseries I.A Adminitrative Records<\/h3>\n
Date: <\/strong>1971-1973<\/div>\n