University of Colorado acquires big band tapes

BOULDER, Colo. (AP) - The University of Colorado's Glenn Miller Archive has acquired hundreds of hours of recordings of big band radio broadcasts along with photos, magazines, documents and other memorabilia from a private collection.

The CU American Music Research Center, which contains the archive, said Tuesday the collection has about 1,400 reel-to-reel tapes of jazz and big band musicians including Glenn Miller, Louis Armstrong, Tommy Dorsey, Count Basie, Duke Ellington and Benny Goodman.

The recordings, photos and documents were purchased from the collection of Florida resident Ed Burke, who founded and operated the independent recording companies Fanfare, Jazz Hour and Soundcraft.

The cost wasn't disclosed. CU officials say all the money came from private donations.

Miller attended high school in Fort Morgan, Colo., and attended CU in 1923-24.