Robert D. Farber University Archives and Special Collections

Festival of the Creative Arts, 1952

Leonard Bernstein seated with other panelists on the stage at the Jazz Symposium

Jazz Symposium

Recordings of the Jazz Symposium made at the 1952 Festival of the Creative Arts at Brandeis University

Brandeis University Festival of the Creative Arts, 1952: Bernstein Speaks

In this clip, we hear Leonard Bernstein speaking to the audience about “jazz fans” at the beginning of the concert.

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Jazz Symposium, “High Society”

Here the group of jazz musicians play “High Society,” a piece that was originally a march by Porter Steele.

Jazz Symposium,“When It's Sleepy Time Down South”

This is a piece titled “When It's Sleepy Time Down South,” written by Clarence Muse, Leon René and Otis René. The trumpet soloist heard here is Ruby Braff.

Jazz Symposium, “At the Jazz Band Ball”

Bernstein introduces this tune, “We're now going to hear a piece called ‘At the Jazz Band Ball,’ which is, IS, Dixieland.” The piece was written by Bix Beiderbecke.

Bernstein speaking at the symposium, with a violinist standing beside him.

Leonard Bernstein speaks at the Festival of the Creative Arts, 1952

Audience at the Festival listening to a performance of "At the Jazz Band Hall"

"At the Jazz Band Hall" performance

Drummer during the performance of "High Society."

Performance of "High Society"

Audience during the performance of "When It's Sleepy" at the Festival of the Creative Arts.

"When It's Sleepy" performance

Leonard Bernstein and three friends at the festival

Bernstein and friends