Archive of Photographs, Handwritten Sheet Music, and Ephemera Belonging to Jazz and R&B Organist
New York: ca. 1970s. Very Good. Item #47292
New York area, ca. 1970s. Archive of materials belonging to jazz and R&B organist Bill "Mr. Honky Tonk" Doggett consisting of the following:
a.) Handwritten sheet music for four different songs all with “words and music by Bill Doggett” written on top right corner. Quartos (32cm). One written in pencil, the other three in black ink.
Titles are “Just For the Hell Of It”; “I Need Your Love”; “The Funky-Funky Ghetto”; and “What Is A Woman.” Unable to find further documentation of these titles or recordings of these songs by Bill Doggett at the time of cataloging in March 2026.
b.) Four (9x9cm) chromogenic photographs of Doggett performing on stage and posing with friends, featuring 70s era clothing.
c.) Two (13x9.5cm) chromogenic photographs of Doggett, professional headshot format.
d.) One large (25.5x20cm) black and white photograph of Doggett and his organ combo. Shows Doggett behind his organ decorated with upholstery tacks to spell out “Bill DOGGETT.”
e.) Two business cards: one printed on pink cardstock states “Bill ‘Mr. Honky Tonk’ Doggett and his Organ Combo” with a contact address located in Islip, NY. The other card, printed on white cardstock, identifies Doggett as a Columbia Recording Artist and advertises him as “Bill ‘Mr. Honky Tonk’ Doggett And His Swinging Combo.”
f.) Xeroxed broadside on light pink paper, undated, advertising the Bill Doggett and Prince-Donell Dancers & Co. at the Seafood Playhouse, a 70s era music club once located at 209 West 48th Street in New York City.
g.) Newspaper clipping titled “Bill Doggett Big Hit at Pittsford Tavern," which describes Doggett as "soft spoken and friendly" after having performed several Duke Ellington numbers for an enthusiastic crowd.
Doggett (1916 - 1996) performed and collaborated with jazz greats like Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, and Count Basie. Doggett is best known for his instrumental track "Honky Tonk," which was the top R&B track of 1956. An intriguing collection of late-career material from the jazz organist, notable for the inclusion of seemingly unrecorded sheet music.
Price: $450.00