David Jasen

Noted Musicologist, Author and Past President of the NYSMS

At least once a year, members are honored to have an authority on the subject of Sheet Music host a program, and October 9th we had that program.  Dave Jasen, who has written books on Tin Pan Alley, Ragtime, and many more, has a fantastic collection of Sheet Music.  And he was able to present a very informative and entertaining afternoon.  In addition to Dave Jasen at the podium, we were fortunate to have another authority in the audience.  Don Stubblebine, who came up from Philadelphia specifically for the program.  (Don has a fantastic collection: every song from every movie and Broadway Show, and most from major London productions as well, all of which he makes available to you at a very low copying price.)  Another fortunate addition in the audience was Terry Waldo, who responded (without advance notice) to our request for a musical introduction.  One song he played was "I'm Just Wild About Harry."  And we were just wild about Terry Waldo.  Jasen discussed how he wrote his books, personalities he has worked with, and answered questions about how to acquire and sort out sheet music, which boiled down to personal preference and convenience: everything from by artist, subject matter (states, love, prohibition, radio, artwork, movies, theater, dances...whatever works for you).