Skip to main content

Bobby Vince Paunetto papers, 1968-2007

 Collection
Identifier: BCA-005

Scope and Contents

Scores, audio recordings, and other related materials created and collected by vibraphonist and Latin jazz composer Bobby Vince Paunetto ‘73. Scores include original compositions, arrangements, and sketches. Other papers include publicity-related correspondence, lists of compositions, and some class assignments. Audiovisual materials include both published and unpublished recordings in reel, DAT, and compact disc formats.

Dates

  • Creation: 1968-2007
  • Creation: Majority of material found within 1973 - 1993

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research by appointment. Advance notice is required for access because materials are stored offsite.

Audiovisual recordings have not been transferred. Patrons may view an item’s original container and/or carrier, but the recordings themselves are not available for playback due to preservation concerns. Patrons may request access to viewing/listening copies via onsite appointment, however recordings on obsolete formats may not be available. Contact Archives staff for further information.

Biographical Note

Bobby “Vince” Paunetto ‘73 (June 22, 1944-August 10, 2010) was a vibraphonist and composer whose music fused salsa and jazz in innovative ways. Born and raised in the Bronx, Paunetto showed a predilection for music at an early age and was strongly influenced in his teens by vibraphonist Cal Tjader.

Paunetto composed his first piece, “Nuance,” in 1962 and released his first album, El Sonido Moderno, in 1964. After serving briefly in the U.S. army (1965-1967), Paunetto returned to New York and continued performing. Shortly thereafter, Paunetto attended Berklee College of Music from 1969-1973, where he studied closely with Gary Burton. Other influential teachers included John LaPorta, Herb Pomeroy, Paul Schmeling, Michael Rendish, and Alan Dawson.

Paunetto then released two subsequent albums: Paunetto’s Point (1974) and Commit to Memory (1976), the first of which was nominated for a Grammy in 1975. Just as his promising career as a composer and bandleader was on the rise, however, Paunetto was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1977. Although this forced an end to his career as a performer, Paunetto was eventually able to return to composing, writing 300 works between 1985 and 1993 and releasing two final recordings: Composer in Public (1998) and Reconstituted (2001).

Extent

8.5 Cubic Feet (3 record cartons, 1 half record carton, 2 flat storage boxes, 1 large flat storage box, 1 small media box, 10 reels. )

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Compositions, audio recordings, and other materials created and collected by vibraphonist and Latin jazz composer Bobby Vince Paunetto ‘73. Additional papers include publicity-related correspondence, composition lists, and coursework. 

Arrangement

This collection has been minimally processed. Materials have been arranged roughly in the original order at the time the papers were formally accessioned, although an attempt was made to separate oversized scores, media, and personal papers from the rest of the scores. Little discernible original order was apparent at the time of processing. While folders are numbered consecutively from beginning to end of the collection, the following numbers are not assigned because those materials were consolidated and assigned to other folders in the late stages of processing: folder numbers 1, 34, 41, 59, 62, 66, 97, 211, 236.

The box list is as follows:

* Boxes 1-3: scores

* Boxes 4-6: oversized scores

* Box 7: other materials (coursework, correspondence, and personal papers)

* Box 8: CDs and cassettes

* Boxes 9-16: reels

Title
Bobby Vince Paunetto papers, 1968-2007
Status
Under Revision
Author
Sofía Becerra-Licha
Date
2016/06/19
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Sponsor
The processing of this collection and the creation of this finding aid were completed with support from a grant from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC).

Repository Details

Part of the Berklee Archives Repository

Contact:
Berklee
1140 Boylston St
Boston MA 02215 USA
617-747-8001