Austin M. Sonnier Jr. papers are open for access at Tulane University Special Collections
Tulane University Special Collections (TUSC) is pleased to announce the processing and finding aid publication of the Austin M. Sonnier Jr. papers (HJA-100), part of the holdings of the Hogan Archive of New Orleans Music and New Orleans Jazz.
The archival collection contains over 9.25 linear feet of materials created or collected by Austin Matthew Sonnier Jr. (1939-2019), the Lafayette, Louisiana-based author, ethnomusicologist, musician, and playwright whose works include the books Second Linin': Jazzmen of Southwest Louisiana, 1900-1950; The Role of the Violin in New Orleans Music from 1890-1940; and Willie Geary "Bunk" Johnson: The New Iberia Years; and the play The End of a Perfect Death.
Sonnier’s work linked Southwestern Louisiana and New Orleans music traditions while featuring ragtime, jazz, and Creole music and musicians. He often visited New Orleans to write, research, and play music, and collaborated with musicians such as James Andrews, Wynton Marsalis, Dr. Michael White, and several other jazz, blues, and zydeco musicians throughout New Orleans and Southwest Louisiana.
Among the items in the collection are original works including book manuscripts and music compositions, play scripts, research notes, cabaret show papers for Storyville Productions, Inc., audio and video recordings, sheet music of African American work songs, photographs, correspondence, and ephemera.
The Austin M. Sonnier Jr. papers are available for public research, and can be accessed via appointment at Tulane University Special Collections, located in Jones Hall on the uptown campus of Tulane University.
For more information, contact Hogan Archive curator Melissa A. Weber at mweber3@tulane.edu or 504-247-1807. To learn more about Tulane University Special Collections, visit the TUSC website at library.tulane.edu/tusc, email specialcollections@tulane.edu, and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
Photo caption: Photographs of Louisiana musicians Rockin’ Dopsie (Sr.), Ernie K-Doe, and Willie Tee and The Souls; locations and dates unidentified, photographer: Austin M. Sonnier Jr., Austin M. Sonnier Jr. papers, Tulane University Special Collections.
[Article published: September 16, 2024]
