In Memoriam

This audio only interview was conducted for a radio program by Dan Del Fiorentino and donated to the NAMM Oral History program: Stanley Dance was the noted jazz historian who wrote several Grammy nominated liner notes as well as books and magazine articles over his long career. He began writing for a small music magazine called Jazz Hot back in 1935 and submitted his last book review for Jazz Time Magazine a few days before his passing in 1999. He was a lifelong friend of Duke Ellington and married to the author Helen Oakley Dance. During this segment Stanley covers his views on t

This audio only interview was conducted for a radio program by Dan Del Fiorentino and donated to the NAMM Oral History program: Bob Haggart may be best known for his crazy bass playing on the Bob Crosby hit record "Big Noise From Winnetka." The song featured bass slaps and even the drummer playing his sticks on Bob's bass strings. The novelty of the song and the creative use of the instruments helped establish the song as a standard in music classes around the world. Bob also wrote another classic jazz tune called "What's New?". Bob played and arranged for Ella Fitzgerald (most no

This audio only interview was conducted for a radio program by Dan Del Fiorentino and donated to the NAMM Oral History program: Johnny Catron formed his first band in Boston back in 1939, but gained fame as a bandleader and songwriter when he reformed his band following World War II in Southern California. Johnny was a whiz at writing bouncy and danceable tunes just right for the swing era. Johnny opened his own automobile dealership in Pomona, California in 1952 and later became one of the first Volkswagen and Porsche dealers in the U.S. The dealership allowed him to finance the

This audio only interview was conducted for a radio program by Dan Del Fiorentino and donated to the NAMM Oral History program: Barrett Deems was the energetic drummer of the big band era who played with Red Norvo, Muggsy Spanier, and Jimmy Dorsey. While touring as a member of Louis Armstrong's All Stars in the 1950s, Barrett wrote the fast tempo drummers dream solo hit, "Mop Mop!". In later years Barrett had a weekly gig in Chicago that often included tips and advice to the young drummers who came seeking to learn from a true master. Image courtesy of the Downbeat archives.

This audio only interview was conducted by David Schwartz and donated to the NAMM Oral History program: Carl Wilson co-formed The Beach Boys with his brother, Brian, and school friend, Al Jardine. The songs they wrote and recorded helped invigorate popular music in the 1960s. Carl played lead guitar and remained the music director for all live performances from the mid-1960s until his passing in 1998. Carl was the lead singer on several of the band’s biggest hits including “Good Vibrations” and “Kokomo”. He was on hand in 1988 when the band was included into the Rock and Roll Hall

This audio only interview was conducted by David Schwartz and donated to the NAMM Oral History program: Colin Sanders began building sound systems for churches when he was still a teenager. By the age of 22, Colin formed Solid State Logic (also known as SSL) and at first focused on electronic controls for church organs. The company introduced the innovative SL 4000B console in 1977, which many felt ushered in a new era of audio technology. The console is believed to be the first to include computer automation. Over the years, Colin and his team of engineers created several advance

This audio only interview was conducted for a radio program by Dan Del Fiorentino and donated to the NAMM Oral History program: Doc Cheatham was a blues and jazz trumpeter who played from the early years of recordings all the way into the 1990s. Doc was just a teenager when he recorded with the blues legend Ma Rainey (1927) and played with a who's who of musicians and singers until his last performance two days before his passing at the age of 91. Among those Doc performed with over his career were Chick Webb, Claude Hopkins, Benny Carter, Teddy Wilson, Fletcher Henderson, and Cab

This audio only interview was conducted for a radio program by Dan Del Fiorentino and donated to the NAMM Oral History program: Burton Lane studied classical music in New York and had the opportunity to listen to George Gershwin playing the piano at his family home while still a teenager. The encounter encouraged young Burton to pursue a career as a songwriter. His incredible output as a composer resulted in Broadway musicals such as "Finian's Rainbow" and "On a Clear Day You Can See Forever." Among his most recognizable hit songs were "Old Devil Moon," and "Too Late Now."

This audio only interview was conducted for a radio program by Dan Del Fiorentino and donated to the NAMM Oral History program: Paul Weston was an arranger for several dance bands before forming his own orchestra during the Big Band Era. He arranged for Tommy Dorsey's band and wrote several arrangements for Rudy Vallée's radio program, beginning in the 1930s. It was Paul who convinced Tommy Dorsey to hire the singing group the Pied Pipers to perform with the band. They famously backed up Frank Sinatra on the crooner's early recording a few years later. Paul also had a very success

This audio only interview was conducted for a radio program by Dan Del Fiorentino and donated to the NAMM Oral History program: Gerry Mulligan helped define the Cool Jazz genre with his rich baritone saxophone style and a series of historic recordings including several with Miles Davis. He played with several big bands and arranged music for the Gene Krupa and Claude Thornhill orchestras during the late 1940s. By 1948, he was playing with Miles Davis with whom he recorded the album Birth of the Cool for Capitol Records. His career also included gigs with Chet Baker and a number of

This audio only interview was conducted for a radio program by Dan Del Fiorentino and donated to the NAMM Oral History program: Ernie Heckscher is perhaps best known for leading a society style orchestra during the Big Band Era. His smooth arrangements were perfect for hotel ballrooms that catered to a wide age range. Ernie toured his orchestra in big cities such as Memphis and Chicago but found his greatest success (and a very loyal audience) in San Francisco. There his band performed at the Palace Hotel, the Mark Hopkins Hotel, and the Fairmont. In fact, he was booked in the Fai

This audio only interview was conducted for a radio program by Dan Del Fiorentino and donated to the NAMM Oral History program: Dick Jurgens formed a popular dance band during the big band era and enjoyed a string of hit recordings, several which he composed. The ever-humble songwriter and musician, Dick rarely bragged about the success of his dance band, the sellout crowds, and the long engagements at some of the country's top ballrooms. He did however, like to boast that Eddie Howard, one of the great singers of the era, got his start in Dick's band.

This audio only interview was conducted for a radio program by Dan Del Fiorentino and donated to the NAMM Oral History program: Phil Harris was a big band leader, singer, and actor who hit fame as the voice of Baloo the bear in Disney’s 1967 movie The Jungle Book. His career began as a drummer who found himself hanging around Bing Crosby when the crooner was singing early jazz with the Paul Whiteman Orchestra. Phil landed the role as the bandleader for the very popular radio comedy, The Jack Benny Show, beginning in 1936 and was still working with the comic when he moved over to t

This audio only interview was conducted for a radio program by Dan Del Fiorentino and donated to the NAMM Oral History program: Ray McKinley provided a swinging and consistent rhythm behind several big bands during the 1930s and 40s. He worked with the Dorsey Brothers, Will Bradley and Glenn Miller before forming his own orchestra. His influential drumming behind Glenn Miller's Army Air Force band has been cited by many percussionists as a launching point for their own passion. He also wrote a method book that was widely used for beginner drummers and he often held clinics in musi

This audio only interview was conducted for a radio program by Dan Del Fiorentino and donated to the NAMM Oral History program: Jess Stacy was a very early jazz pianist, starting his career in 1918 and playing with many of the early pioneers of jazz as well as the most popular band leaders during the swing era. Jess joined Benny Goodman's orchestra in 1935 and was on stage for the famous Carnegie Hall Jazz concert on January 16, 1938. It was a critical moment for the acceptance of jazz in the elite New York social circles and forever changed the landscape of jazz audiences. He rem

This audio only interview was conducted for a radio program by Dan Del Fiorentino and donated to the NAMM Oral History program: Cab Calloway was the hip cat of the Big Band Era, leading a swinging orchestra and charting hit recordings. His flamboyant stage personality landed Cab acting roles on Broadway and in the movies (the Blues Brothers and the Cincinnati Kid among others). And his musical knowledge and ability to foster the talent in others opened the doors for such Jazz greats as Chu Berry, Doc Cheatham, Milt Hinton, Dizzy Gillespie and Jonah Jones.

This audio only interview was conducted for a radio program by Dan Del Fiorentino and donated to the NAMM Oral History program: Raymond Scott was a noted bandleader and songwriter during the Big Band Era who achieved fame for supplying music to countless Warner Brother cartoons. Raymond was also an innovative electronic music engineer, who not only created special sounds for his own compositions but also developed electronic instrumentation such as the Electronium. In the 1950s, Bob Moog, who designed circuits for Raymond, often cited him as a major influence and mentor.

This audio only interview was conducted for a radio program by Dan Del Fiorentino and donated to the NAMM Oral History program: Tommy Traynor was a singer during the Big Band Era with the Modernaires. The singing group gained lasting popularity while performing with Glenn Miller, beginning in the late 1930s. Tommy joined the group a decade later and remained with the group until a year before his death in 1993. Tommy sang in several popular movies such as "Angels With Dirty Faces," "Bells of St. Mary's," and "Going My Way," the last two with Bing Crosby. Tommy sang with Jerry Grey

Jerry Jacobs was born Jerome H. Jacobs in San Jose, California. His father owned a clothing store called The White House, and Jerry, after his service during World War II, followed in his father’s footsteps. Jerry owned and operated Jerry’s Store for Men on Santa Cruz Avenue in Menlo Park, California for over 25 years. Upon retiring, he volunteered his time to several local organizations including KCEA, the local nonprofit radio station in town which just happened to play his favorite style of music - swing.

This audio only interview was conducted for a radio program by Dan Del Fiorentino and donated to the NAMM Oral History program: Eddie Miller was asked to take a break from his road travels with the big bands to visit Elkhart, Indiana.  The Selmer Band Instrument Company made the special request and the saxman eagerly complied.  Selmer’s future president, Charlie Bickel, was interested in Eddie’s impression of the company’s new development in their series of saxophones.  It was the beginning of a long relationship as Eddie made several trips to the factory while his career with Bob

This audio only interview was conducted by Bruce Duffie and donated to the NAMM Oral History program: Vladimir Ussachevsky was a classically trained composer who worked in the field of electronic music. In fact, with the use of electronic musical instruments, such as the Moog, Vladimir was the pioneer who introduced such instruments into classical compositions. His early works were based on music concrete, the splicing of audio tape to create different sounds. He was eager to use electronic instruments, such as those created by Robert Moog and Don Buchla.

This audio only interview was conducted for a radio program by Dan Del Fiorentino and donated to the NAMM Oral History program: Billy Butterfield's smooth and melodic trumpet can be heard on Margret Whiting’s recording of "Moonlight In Vermont." His performance was often singled out as a defining moment for young musicians who heard the solo and sought lessons to follow in Billy's footsteps. That influential recording was just one moment of his long and successful career in the big band and jazz world that included gigs with Artie Shaw, Les Brown, Bob Crosby, Tommy Dorsey, and Ben

This audio only interview was conducted for a radio program by Dan Del Fiorentino and donated to the NAMM Oral History program: Trummy Young was a noted jazz trombonist who performed and recorded with the likes of Jimmie Lunceford, Louis Armstrong, and Billie Holiday.  While playing with the Jimmie Lunceford Orchestra for 6 years, Trummy also occasionally sang on the band’s 1937 hit record “Margie.”  It was while touring with Lunceford that Trummy befriended the arranger, Sy Oliver.  The two men co-wrote another hit for the band, “T’ain’t What You Do (It’s the Way That You Do It).

Mil Averwater was the founder of Amro Music in Memphis, Tennessee. His grandson, Chip, had the forethought to record his grandfather on audio tape talking about the early days of the store. Chip has donated this interview for the NAMM website to allow us to bridge each generation of Averwater’s who have operated the store. Mil’s son Robert was interviewed in 2008 and his sons, Chip (interviewed several times starting in 2000) and Pat (interviewed in 2019) both provided their insight as to the growth and development of the business. Chip’s son CJ was interviewed in 2018 so the trad

Jerome F. Murphy Sr. was the president of M. Steinert & Sons in Boston. He joined the company on January 10, 1897 and dedicated himself to the business and the industry. He was promoted to treasurer  in 1916 and took the opportunity given him in 1934 to purchase the business. Mr. Murphy was very active as a leader in his community as well as the music products industry including serving on the NAMM Board of Directors and as President of NAMM from 1937-1939. In 1941, Mr. Murphy was voted the very first non-Steinway family member to join the Board of Directors for Steinway &

Karen Feltz was one of the voices of Conn-Selmer as she serves in the customer service department.  She joined Selmer right out of high school and has worked for the company for over 40 years.  Music dealers around the world know Karen for her dedication to finding answers to their questions and for following up on their requests.

Allan Clark began taking training classes as a volunteer docent right when the NAMM Foundation’s Museum of Making Music was opened to the public in 2000.  Since that time Allan has provided countless tours of the museum as well as volunteered at many museum events such as the annual fund raisers.  Shortly after his training as a docent, Allan volunteered to help catalog the physical collection of the NAMM Resource Center.  He has provided hundreds of hours to research and file for the library, work that has been a great asset to the staff and in moving the organization of the arch