A Dan Morgenstern Memorial Scrapbook

Michael Fitzgerald

Dan Morgenstern, celebrated jazz writer, editor, and former director of the Institute of Jazz Studies at Rutgers University, died at the age of 94 on September 7, 2024. Across eight decades, he contributed massively to the literature of jazz in a variety of publications. He served as editor for several magazines, including Down Beat. [1] He also served as a member of this publication’s advisory board.

With guest editors Marcello Piras and the late Terry Teachout, Current Research in Jazz published a special festschrift volume in 2012 on the occasion of Dan’s retirement as director of the Institute of Jazz Studies. [2] To honor him in this way was a privilege, and we were glad to have done it during his lifetime so that he could be reminded of the high esteem in which he was held by an international group of jazz scholars. He expressed his gratitude in typical humble fashion.

As is only fitting, there have been many obituaries and eulogies that have attempted to place Dan and his contributions in an appropriate context. His influence, particularly during his time at IJS, was pervasive. His position there commanded attention, and he made himself available to comment on jazz matters and to contribute to books and other research projects, somehow finding time for this amidst his attending administrative meetings, planning collection development, and maintaining donor relations (all of this while doing his own creative work writing liner notes and articles and eventually compiling his own reader, Living with Jazz). [3] Even when not specifically sought out he made it a point to become familiar with the many researchers who made use of the Institute. He was thoroughly familiar with the materials in the collection and might make an off-hand comment when he saw a patron with a particular item. These kinds of informal interactions often led off on tangents that might provide valuable leads for the researcher. I witnessed this many times and myself experienced this too.

My own history with Dan goes back more than twenty-five years, and there were summers when I practically lived part-time at the Institute, spending several full days a week in listening rooms there, taking notes for various projects as well as for my own general jazz edification. Kid in candy store indeed. Thinking back on such visits, I can recall that as evening approached, patrons and staff would depart, and Dan and I were often the last to leave. These occasions, which frequently developed into long conversations, have produced some of my most treasured memories.

When reflecting on Dan after his passing, one thing about him that struck me is how out-and-about he was. Never hidden away or aloof, he was on the scene and was always very approachable. I had the privilege of going with him to record shows, restaurants, concerts, and just giving him a lift in the car. Of course, he was human, but to me it was also like being in the presence of a legend.

Several of Dan’s colleagues, proteges, fans, and friends have contributed photographs to create a memorial scrapbook in order to express our love and respect for a great man. Thanks to Ken Berger, Larry Berger, Patrick Dorian, Jim Eigo, Gary Carner, Thomas Hustad, Ashley Kahn, Wolfram Knauer, Hank O’Neal, Bruce Boyd Raeburn, Loren Schoenberg, Matthew Snyder, Bert Vuisje, and Scott Wenzel.

Singing with tubist David Ostwald at Birdland, New York City, 2014. Photo by Ed Berger. Ed Berger Photographic Collection, © Oberlin Conservatory Library.

At Rutgers Institute of Jazz Studies. Photo by Ed Berger. Ed Berger Photographic Collection, © Oberlin Conservatory Library.

With cornetist Ruby Braff and his sister, Susan Atran at the Arbors Records “March of Jazz,” Sheraton Sand Key Resort, Clearwater, FL, March 18, 2001. Photo by Al Lipsky. Collection of Thomas Hustad.

With (l-r) producer Michael Brooks, musician/author Richard Sudhalter, Scott Wenzel of Mosaic Records, Loren Schoenberg of the National Jazz Museum in Harlem, and musician/author Mike Peters at Rutgers/Newark Dana Library, May 25, 2001. Photo by Ed Berger. Collection of Scott Wenzel. Ed Berger Photographic Collection, © Oberlin Conservatory Library. Courtesy of Scott Wenzel.

With journalist Bert Vuisje at Rutgers Institute of Jazz Studies, 2001. Photo by Pieter Boersma. Collection of Bert Vuisje.

With Ricky Riccardi, director of research collections at the Louis Armstrong House Museum, and producer George Avakian at New York Public Library, July 13, 2016 at the opening reception for the exhibition “Music for Moderns: The Partnership of George Avakian and Anahid Ajemian.” Collection of Matthew Snyder.

With musician David Ostwald, archivist Matthew Snyder of the New York Public Library, and Ricky Riccardi at New York Public Library, July 13, 2016. Collection of Matthew Snyder.

With Wolfram Knauer, director of the Darmstadt Jazz Institute, at the Library of Congress, November 2019. Photo by Josh Morgenstern. Collection of Wolfram Knauer.

With Phil Schaap of WKCR-FM and Jazz at Lincoln Center, jazz archivist Michael Steinman, Scott Wenzel, author Will Friedwald, David Ostwald, and Ricky Riccardi at Birdland in New York City, October 2019. Collection of Scott Wenzel.

With author Ashley Kahn at The Jazz Gallery Honors Gala, New York City, May 13, 2024. Collection of Ashley Kahn.

With Scott Wenzel, Loren Schoenberg, and jazz collector Lloyd Raush in Iselin, NJ, June 2018. Collection of Scott Wenzel.

With author Gary Carner at The Jazz Gallery, New York City, September 24, 2012. Photo by Daniel Olson. Collection of Gary Carner.

With Patrick Dorian of the Al Cohn Memorial Jazz Collection, at “Fight Fire with Jazz” benefit concert, East Stroudsburg University, February 19, 2007. Photo by Ed Berger. Ed Berger Photographic Collection, © Oberlin Conservatory Library. Courtesy of Patrick Dorian.

With singer Daryl Sherman at Bob Porter’s birthday party in 2010. Photo by Jim Eigo.

With Bob Porter of WBGO-FM, Scott Wenzel, Vincent Pelote of Rutgers Institute of Jazz Studies, and Loren Schoenberg in Iselin, NJ, June 2018. Collection of Scott Wenzel.

With Werner Herbers, leader of the Ebony Band, in New York City, June 2022. Collection of Werner Herbers. Courtesy of Bert Vuisje.

At Rutgers Institute of Jazz Studies with three of his eight Grammy Awards. Photo by Ed Berger. Ed Berger Photographic Collection, © Oberlin Conservatory Library.

David Ostwald at Riverside Cemetery, September 2024. Photo by Hank O’Neal.

Singing “I’ll Be Glad When You’re Dead, You Rascal You” at Satchmo SummerFest, August 15, 2013, backed by Ricky Riccardi (p), Wycliffe Gordon (tb), Ed Polcer (cor), David Ostwald (tu), and Bruce Boyd Raeburn (d). Collection of Bruce Boyd Raeburn.

With the author at Rutgers/Newark Dana Library, October 22, 2009. Photo by Katja von Schuttenbach. Collection of Michael Fitzgerald.