Now open for research: Tad Jones papers
Tulane University Special Collections (TUSC) is pleased to announce the processing and finding aid publication of the Tad Jones papers (HJA-056), part of the holdings of the Hogan Archive of New Orleans Music and New Orleans Jazz.
The archival collection contains materials either acquired or created by Tad Jones during his career as a music researcher and oral historian. These materials include 56.75 linear feet of research notes, manuscript drafts, interview transcripts, photographs, and personal papers, as well as 2,237 pieces of audiovisual items.
Jones’ research files contain ephemera related to varied subjects including New Orleans record labels, musicians and bands, nightclubs, festivals and events, music genres and styles, music industry participants, and local music business initiatives. Noteworthy topics include Louis Armstrong, the Dew Drop Inn, Dr. John, Earl King, Mardi Gras Indians, the New Orleans Jazz Commission, the National Park Service, Professor Longhair, Tipitina’s, WWOZ FM, and more.
The collection also contains print photographs, copy prints, and photographic negatives either taken or collected by Jones. Subjects include exteriors of Louis Armstrong Park, Fats Domino’s home, Dooky Chase restaurant, J&M Studio, Jazz City Recording Studio, the Louisiana Weekly newspaper, Mason’s Motel, Matassa’s Recording Studio, Newton Grier’s Record Shop, One Stop Record Shop, Sea-Saint Studio, Specialty Records, WBOK AM, and William B. Allen Distributing Company; nightclubs such as the Autocrat Club, Carousel Club, Caledonia Inn, Chandelier Club, Club Sands, Dew Drop Inn, Foster’s, Gate Way Lounge, I.L.A. Hall, Jed’s, Lee Dorsey’s Club Ya Ya, Lu & Charlie’s, Robin Hood Inn, Stereo Lounge, Sylvia’s, Terroll’s Club, Tijuana Club, and Valencia (teen club); the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival; and music artists Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown, Lee Dorsey, Dr. John, Snooks Eaglin, Frankie Ford, Henry Gray, Gerri Hall, Ernie K-Doe, Joseph “Zigaboo” Modeliste, “Deacon John” Moore, Sister Gertrude Morgan, Art Neville, Leo Nocentelli, Robert Parker, Professor Longhair, James Rivers, Johnny Shines, Huey “Piano” Smith, Tuts Washington, and more.
Born in New Orleans, Thaddeus "Tad" Bunol Jones (1952-2007) was among the founding members of Tipitina's nightclub in 1977. He was a co-author of the book Up from the Cradle of Jazz: New Orleans Music Since World War II with Jason Berry and Jonathan Foose. For over 20 years, Jones frequently consulted on projects for the Hogan Archive at TUSC, including an expanded oral history project proposal and advocacy around expanding the Archive's collecting scope to include New Orleans R&B alongside jazz. A respected Louis Armstrong scholar, Jones completed extensive, ongoing research on Armstrong, much of which was intended for a biography on the musician's childhood in New Orleans.
The Tad Jones papers are now available for public research, except for reel-to-reel tapes currently undergoing digitization which will be open for access once digitization is complete. The collection 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.
Published September 25, 2025
Photo captions:
- Top, right: Photograph of Tad Jones with Huey “Piano” Smith, 1973 by Vinnie Grosso, Tad Jones papers HJA-056, Tulane University Special Collections.
- Below: Tipitina’s nightclub ephemera, circa late 1970s through early 1980s, New Orleans, Tad Jones papers, HJA-056, Tulane University Special Collections.
