The Archives of Recorded Sound is excited to announce the Digital Stacks Playlist—a new initiative designed to provide access to digital content on mobile devices on-site at The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts.

The Digital Stacks Playlist is a virtual, monthly audio exhibit intended to highlight new acquisitions and newly accessible recordings, and provide alternate access to audio held by the Archives of Recorded Sound.  

On the second Saturday of each month, visitors at the library can use their smartphone, tablet, or laptop to access streaming, staff-curated playlists. By connecting to our stream, you'll essentially be listening to a radio-like broadcast available only within the library on this day.  You'll be able to browse the stacks or enjoy a snack in the cafe while hearing collection material held by one of the richest and most diverse resources of recorded sound in the world.  

Joining in on the fun is easy:

• On the second Saturday of every month, come to the Library for the Performing Arts during our regular hours (10:30 AM–6PM)

• Connect your mobile device to the free Wi-Fi at the Library for the Performing Arts (network titled "NYPL").

  

• Download the free VLC Media Player from iTunes, Google Play, or another mobile app store (the VLC Media Player is recommended for all smartphones, PCs, and Macs).

  

• On smartphones: Open the VLC Media Player and find the blue logo for the "KODI Digital Stacks Playlist" in the Local Network.

  

• On laptops and tablets: Open the VLC Media Player and find "View" at the top of the screen. Then select "Playlist" from the drop-down menu.

  

• On the left under Local Network, click on "Universal Plug’n’Play". The  Digital Stacks Playlist will appear on the right side of the screen. 

  

• All mobile devices:  Select "Songs" in the Music Library. 

  

• LISTEN!

  

The first Digital Stacks Playlist will take place on Saturday, January 11, 2020, during which we will celebrate the 82nd anniversary of Benny Goodman’s legendary January 1938 concert at Carnegie Hall by streaming the digitized master recordings from the George Avakian and Anahid Ajemian audio collection. 

The concert was a seminal event in jazz music history. It was the first swing concert performed at Carnegie Hall and The Benny Goodman Orchestra—including jazz greats like Lionel Hampton, Gene Krupa, and Lester Young—set a precedent for integration at public performances for bands and audience members.  

The double album for the live concert, titled The Famous 1938 Carnegie Hall Jazz Concert, was produced by George Avakian for Columbia Records in 1950. The album was a huge success and leveraged the importance of the historic event in recorded sound history as the first double album and the first recording to sell over 1 million copies. 

Mark your calendars to visit and tune in to hear this landmark recording on the inaugural day of our new series.  If you are unable to visit on January 11, you can also come to the Library for the Performing Arts on Thursday, January 16, when we will stream the concert again on the anniversary of the performance. 

The next Digital Stacks Playlist day of listening will occur on Saturday, February 8. 

If you have questions about how to find streaming audio in The Digital Stacks Playlist, contact recordedsound@nypl.org.  There will also be a staff member on call in the Cafe on January 11th to assist with connecting to the playlist.