The Maxwell Reade Collection of Early Jazz and Blues Recordings
This collection consists of over 2500 rare 78 RPM recordings of jazz, blues, gospel and popular African-American music from the period of about 1925 to 1955. These recordings are divided into four general areas: Dixieland Jazz, Gospel, Rhythm & Blues, and Black Popular Music, and are in mint or near-mint condition. A substantial number, according to a local expert Dr. Arwulf of WEMU-FM radio, have not been re-issued to date. The LP's are much more diverse with recordings of contemporary soul music, pop music, country and western music, plus a bit of contemporary jazz, spirituals, show music, and miscellaneous vocal and instrumental music.
Also included are over 230 cassettes of the WDET-FM public radio program "Blues From the Lowlands" which focuses on this weekly show over a ten year period.
An ancillary holding to the Reade Collection is the Charlie Gillette"Sound of the City" Discography. The first 600 songs mentioned in the renown history of rock 'n' roll and rhythm and blues have been recorded in the order they appear in Gillette's work and are available for listening by students and staff.