This is the first part of the proposed history of the Cambridge University Jazz Club. We do not know exactly when the club started but there is a reference to it in the press in 1949. The club closed its doors at the end of 1976.
The primary documents for the research are contained in file SOC 77 in the University Library, Cambridge. Because of the patchiness in coverage in this file, it has been supplemented by extensive reference to secondary sources and the reminiscences of those involved in the club and the wider Cambridge jazz scene, where they can be tracked down.
In the case of the early years, finding contemporaries has been difficult. I am indebted to Peter Batten, leader of the CU Jazz Band in the mid 1950s, for his enthusiastic contribution – through provision of material and pithy commentary – to the compilation of this period’s history.
This part can be downloaded as a PDF here …