Fonds 40 - Doug Riley fonds

Identity area

Reference code

OTUFM 40

Title

Doug Riley fonds

Date(s)

  • 1966-2007 (Creation)

Level of description

Fonds

Extent and medium

3 m of textual records and other materials (15 boxes)

Context area

Name of creator

(1945-2007)

Biographical history

Doug (Douglas Brian) Riley was a composer, arranger, pianist, organist, and record producer, born in Toronto on April 12, 1945. Before his death on August 27, 2007 in Calgary, Alberta, Riley relocated to Little Pond, Prince Edward Island. He received a Bachelor of Music from the University of Toronto in 1967.

Riley produced and performed on many recordings with various solo artists and groups (including Ray Charles, Natalie McMaster, David Clayton Thomas, The Brecker Brothers, Molly Johnson, Bob Segar, Ringo Starr, Jake Langley, Gordon Lightfoot, Anne Murray, and Moe Koffman), both as Doug Riley and under his pseudonym Dr. Music. He also wrote numerous jingles, three ballets for the National Ballet of Canada, a concerto for flute, a string quartet for Moe Koffman, a piano concerto for Mario Bernardi's retirement from the National Arts Centre Orchestra, and much more. He was also the music director for various television, radio, and live productions, including JAZZ.FM91’s annual ‘Jazz Lives' (mid-2000s) and The Famous People Players. He continued to perform with his Doug Riley Quartet until his death. Throughout his life, he received many awards, including The Jazz Report ‘Jazz Organist of the Year’ Award (1993-2000), and, in 2003, he was named a member of the Order of Canada.

Archival history

Material was arranged by Doug Riley's family following his death in 2007 and was donated to the University of Toronto Music Library in 2011.

Immediate source of acquisition or transfer

Material donated to the University of Toronto Music Library by Doug Riley's son under the authorisation of his mother.

Content and structure area

Scope and content

Fonds consists of records created, accumulated, and used by Doug Riley between the years 1966-2007. The majority of the records in this fonds are manuscript scores, lead sheets, and parts from collaborations with other musicians. These collaborations—with Riley as a performer, arranger, composer, and/or producer—resulted in performances, recordings, television shows, radio programs, and special events. Riley's output as an arranger and composer includes both classical and jazz material. Fonds also includes scripts, itineraries, storyboards, and jingles for radio and television commercials, and correspondence between Riley and other prominent figures in the music industry.

Appraisal, destruction and scheduling

Accruals

No further accruals expected.

System of arrangement

The original order that the material was presented in has been respected and is represented by 7 series that reflect the major activities, work, and projects of Doug Riley over the course of his musical career:

  • Series A : Famous People Players projects
  • Series B : Musc for television programs and radio jingles
  • Series C : Music for the Finkleman Show
  • Series D : Music for Doug Riley's B3 Quartet
  • Series E : Collaborations with other musicians for recordings, performances, and events
  • Series F : Classical compositions and arrangements
  • Series G : Original jazz tune compositions and arrangements.

Titles within the fonds reflect titles which were given by the creator. When no title was given a title was supplied based on series or file contents.

Conditions of access and use area

Conditions governing access

The Doug Riley fonds is stored offsite at Downsview. To access these materials, please contact the Music Library at least two weeks in advance of your visit.

Conditions governing reproduction

University of Toronto Music Library does not own the copyright to this material. Copyright is retained by the artist.

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Dates of creation revision deletion

Initial finding aid created 2016. Revised September 2024.

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