Scope and arrangement
The Stanley Crouch photographs, dating from 1928 to 2012 (bulk dates 1940s-2012), depict Crouch attending professional events from the 1990s to 2012; and contain portraits of Crouch from the same period, along with images of his travels. Also present are photographs of jazz saxophonist Charlie Parker that Crouch used for his book, Kansas City Lightning: The Rise and Times of Charlie Parker, as well as portraits of other artists and writers. Most photographs are 4" x 6", with some 8" x 10" prints, negatives, and slides. The collection is arranged in three groups: Events; Personal; and Other Artists and Writers. Photographs in each group are ordered alphabetically.
The majority of events depicted feature Crouch receiving an award, delivering a speech, or reading from his works. Events include the inaugural Big Apple Barbecue Block Party, WCLK 25th Annual Pride in Progress at Clark Atlanta University, and the American Academy of Achievement's 1995 International Achievement Summit. There are also numerous photographs from Crouch's formal 50th birthday party with friends and colleagues in attendance; and his daughter's college graduation. Photographs of unidentified events are ordered before the alphabetical listing. Negatives are most commonly found with the Events photographs.
Crouch's personal photographs consist of his portraits taken by Jill Krementz and Michael Keel. Portraits of his mother and daughter are held here as well, in addition to photographs from Crouch's travels during the 1990s. There is a file of images of Crouch's apartment after a fire; and images of sculptures from various museum exhibits that Crouch kept with his personal photographs.
The Charlie Parker photographs, held in the Other Artists and Writers grouping, show Parker performing, rehearsing, and with family and friends. Most of the Parker photographs date from the late 1940s and early 1950s, with an additional 1928 print of the Oklahoma City Blue Devils. This grouping also contains portraits and promotional shots of writers and jazz musicians such as Ralph Ellison, Abbey Lincoln, Sonny Rollins, and Richard Wright; a file of images related to visual artist Frederick James Brown; and production stills from the films Nothing but a Man (1964), Music in Monk Time (1983), Bird (1988), and House Party (1990).
Arrangement
The collection is arranged in the following groups: Events, Personal, and Other Artists and Writers.