Oral history interview with Cameron Vanderscoff, 2020
Abstract
In this interview, Cameron Vanderscoff, oral historian and musician disccusses his life in New York before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Vanderscoff describes his youth and family history. He reflects on his relationship with Harlem and Inwood. He describes the neighborhoods, International House, Charles Young American Legion Post #398, and biking along the Hudson. He speaks about getting invol ved with jazz and gospel music communities in Harlem. Vanderscoff describes the arrival of COVID-19, life during social distancing, and the political situation. He discusses the passing of his friend and mentor Gary Samuels, and Samuels' philosophy of the importance of telling someone you love them while they are there. In discussing the difficulties he faced and witnessed during this time, Vanderscoff emphasizes the power of built environment, community, memory, and memorial
Musicians; COVID-19 Pandemic, 2020-; COVID-19 (Disease)--Social Aspects; Epidemics--Social Aspects; Social distancing (Public health); Jazz musicians; Inwood (New York, N.Y.); Harlem (New York, N.Y.); Vanderscoff, Cameron; International House (New York, N.Y.)
Format
oral histories
Genre
Interviews
Date
2020
Physical Description
45 pages
Note (Biographical)
Cameron Vanderscoff is an oral historian and musician. Vanderscoff was raised in a suburban town called Novato, California and attended college in Santa Cruz, California. He moved to Manhattan in 2013 to attend the Oral History Master of Arts program at Columbia University
Note
Interviewed by Carlin Zia on October 27, 2020
Note (Provenance)
Cameron Vanderscoff, Gift, transferred from Columbia Center for Oral History Research 2023