Music & Musical Instruments

The Museum's music collections contain more than 5,000 instruments of American and European heritage. These include a quartet of 18th-century Stradivari stringed instruments, Tito Puente's autographed timbales, and the Yellow Cloud guitar that belonged to Prince, to name only a few. Music collections also include jukeboxes and synthesizers, square-dancing outfits and sheet music, archival materials, oral histories, and recordings of performances at the museum. The vast Sam DeVincent Collection of Illustrated Sheet Music is a remarkable window into the American past in words, music, and visual imagery. The Duke Ellington and Ruth Ellington Boatwright collections contain handwritten music compositions, sound recordings, business records, and other materials documenting the career of this renowned musician. In various ways, our collections find expression in performances of the Smithsonian Chamber Players, the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra, and in other public programs.

various artists. Historic Jazz Concert at Music Inn (Atlantic 1298).33-1/3 rpm.Music Inn, also called the Music Barn, was an inn, performance venue, and the summer program of jazz education for the Lenox School of Jazz, in Lenox Massachusetts.
Description (Brief)

various artists. Historic Jazz Concert at Music Inn (Atlantic 1298).
33-1/3 rpm.

Music Inn, also called the Music Barn, was an inn, performance venue, and the summer program of jazz education for the Lenox School of Jazz, in Lenox Massachusetts. From 1957-1960, the school featuring faculty including Dizzy Gillespie, Jimmy Giuffre, Percy Heath, and Connie Kayvenue. The performance venue and inn was in in operation from 1950–1979.

Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1956
manufacturer
Atlantic
ID Number
1978.0670.801
maker number
1298
accession number
1978.0670
catalog number
1978.0670.801
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1953
referenced
Cole, Nat King
Ames Brothers
maker
Southern Music Publishing Co., Inc.
ID Number
2017.3021.280
nonaccession number
2017.3021
catalog number
2017.3021.280
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1952
depicted (sitter)
Andrews Sisters
ID Number
2017.3021.286
nonaccession number
2017.3021
catalog number
2017.3021.286
This bow was made by Albert H. Karr in Independence, Missouri, around 1940-1945. It is a violin bow with a beefwood stick, with a plastic frog and plastic fittings. The bow is stamped:A.H.KARRAlbert Homer Karr (1885-1971) was an American bow and violin maker (1885-1971).
Description

This bow was made by Albert H. Karr in Independence, Missouri, around 1940-1945. It is a violin bow with a beefwood stick, with a plastic frog and plastic fittings. The bow is stamped:

A.H.KARR

Albert Homer Karr (1885-1971) was an American bow and violin maker (1885-1971). For most of his career, Karr was the proprietor of musical instrument shop in Kansas City, Missouri. In addition to repairing and selling other instruments, Karr made over 1,300 violins during his career and several dozen handmade violin bows. During WWII, Karr was contracted by the U. S. government to produce quality student bows.

The Violinist magazine for January 1921 featured an article about Albert H. Karr as well as an advertisement of his shop:

ALBERT H. KARR
Exclusive Violin Shop
306 East Tenth Str., Kansas City, Missouri.

The Albert H. Karr Handmade Violins, finest
imported wood, sent at my expense on ten days’ trial
to responsible parties.
Large collections of old Violins including a Stradi-
varius, a Guarnerius, an Amati, a Villaume and a
Lupot.

One of the finest equipped shops in the United
States for repair and adjustment of fine old
instruments. Mr. Karr attends to this work per-
sonally. All work guaranteed.
Correspondence invited.

Location
Currently not on view
date made
1945-1950
ID Number
1987.0583.01
catalog number
1987.0583.01
accession number
1987.0583
This sheet music for the song “Planet Patrol,” was written by Albert Blitz with arrangement by John W. Schaum. It was published by Belwin Inc. in New York, New York, in 1954.Currently not on view
Description
This sheet music for the song “Planet Patrol,” was written by Albert Blitz with arrangement by John W. Schaum. It was published by Belwin Inc. in New York, New York, in 1954.
Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1954
publisher
Belwin Inc.
ID Number
1983.0830.11
accession number
1983.0830
catalog number
1983.0830.11
Count Basie and his Orchestra. Basie Plays Hefti (Roulette R-52011).33-1/3 rpm.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Count Basie and his Orchestra. Basie Plays Hefti (Roulette R-52011).
33-1/3 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1958
recording artist
Count Basie and his Orchestra
manufacturer
Roulette
ID Number
1978.0670.752
maker number
R-52011
accession number
1978.0670
catalog number
1978.0670.752
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1951
lyricist
Robin, Leo
composer
Styne, Jule
referenced
Hughes, Howard
depicted (sitter)
Martin, Tony
Leigh, Janet
referenced
Crosby, Bob
maker
Edwin H. Morris and Company
ID Number
2017.3021.301
nonaccession number
2017.3021
catalog number
2017.3021.301
This harmonica was made by an undetermined maker in the U.S. Occupation Zone Germany, 1948-1952. It is a Star Band model, with 10 single holes; 20 reeds. This harmonica has a brown stained wooden comb metal cover plates attached to the top and bottom with nails.
Description

This harmonica was made by an undetermined maker in the U.S. Occupation Zone Germany, 1948-1952. It is a Star Band model, with 10 single holes; 20 reeds. This harmonica has a brown stained wooden comb metal cover plates attached to the top and bottom with nails. Accessioned with original cardboard box. The harmonica is engraved:

STAR BAND
MAD EIN GERMANY U.S. ZONE

Location
Currently not on view
date made
1948-1952
ID Number
1988.0783.220
accession number
1988.0783
catalog number
1988.0783.220
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1954
composer; lyricist
Adler, Richard
depicted (sitter)
Day, Doris
maker
Frank Music Corporation
ID Number
2018.3010.139
nonaccession number
2018.3010
catalog number
2018.3010.139
This sheet music is for the song “On Top of Old Smoky,” with words and music arrangement by Pete Seeger. It was published by Folkways Music Publishers in New York, New York in 1951.
Description
This sheet music is for the song “On Top of Old Smoky,” with words and music arrangement by Pete Seeger. It was published by Folkways Music Publishers in New York, New York in 1951. The cover features an image of American Folk Music group The Weavers, who introduced and recorded this song.
Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1951
publisher
Folkways Music Publishers, Inc.
ID Number
1985.0392.14
catalog number
1985.0392.14
accession number
1985.0392
Jimmie Rodgers [James Frederick "Jimmie" Rodgers]. side 1: Ring-A-Ling-A-Lario; side 2: Wonderful You (Roulette R-4158)45 rpm. Accessioned with original printed sleeve.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Jimmie Rodgers [James Frederick "Jimmie" Rodgers]. side 1: Ring-A-Ling-A-Lario; side 2: Wonderful You (Roulette R-4158)
45 rpm. Accessioned with original printed sleeve.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1959
recording artist
Rodgers, Jimmie
manufacturer
Roulette
ID Number
1996.3034.06630
catalog number
1996.3034.06630
label number
R-4158
nonaccession number
1996.3034
Savannah Churchill. side 1: The Gypsy Was Wrong; side 2: Just Whisper (Decca 29262).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Savannah Churchill. side 1: The Gypsy Was Wrong; side 2: Just Whisper (Decca 29262).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1954
recording artist
Churchill, Savannah
composer
Crane, Jimmie
Jacobs, Al
Jaffe, Moe
Reichner, Bickley
manufacturer
Decca
ID Number
1996.0153.08722
catalog number
1996.0153.08722
label number
29262
accession number
1996.0153
Charlie and Ray. side 1: My Lovin' Baby; side 2: Take a Look At Me (Herald H-447).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Charlie and Ray. side 1: My Lovin' Baby; side 2: Take a Look At Me (Herald H-447).78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
release date
1955
recording artist
Charlie and Ray
composer
Jones, Charles
manufacturer
Herald
ID Number
1996.0153.08702
catalog number
1996.0153.08702
label number
H-447
accession number
1996.0153
This music box disc was made by Lloyd G. Kelley, successor to the Regina Music Box Company, in Hanover, Massachusetts, 1950s. It is Regina Disc #1444 – Zampa - Overture, by Ferdinand Hérold,.
Description

This music box disc was made by Lloyd G. Kelley, successor to the Regina Music Box Company, in Hanover, Massachusetts, 1950s. It is Regina Disc #1444 – Zampa - Overture, by Ferdinand Hérold,. This disc is playable in a Regina Disc Music Box that can accommodate a 15-1/2” diameter disc.

This disc features the following patents:

U. S. Patent #417649, dated December 17, 1889, by Oskar Paul Lochmann for a music plate for mechanical instruments.

U. S. Patent #500374, dated June 27, 1893, by Gustav A. Brachhausen and Paul Riessner for a note-plate for music boxes.

Location
Currently not on view
date made
1950s
ID Number
MI.73.01.18.18
catalog number
73.01.18.18
accession number
301414
maker number
1444
patent number
500374
417649
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1958
referenced
Jerry Murad's Harmonicats
Grant, Earl
ID Number
2018.3010.154
nonaccession number
2018.3010
catalog number
2018.3010.154
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1953
ID Number
2017.3021.298
nonaccession number
2017.3021
catalog number
2017.3021.298
This sheet music is for the song “Poor Little Fool,” written by Shari Sheeley. It was published by Eric Music, Inc. in New York, New York in 1958. The cover features an image of American musician and singer-songwriter Ricky Nelson (1940-1985), who had a U. S.
Description
This sheet music is for the song “Poor Little Fool,” written by Shari Sheeley. It was published by Eric Music, Inc. in New York, New York in 1958. The cover features an image of American musician and singer-songwriter Ricky Nelson (1940-1985), who had a U. S. chart-topping hit with this song on Imperial Records.
Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1958
depicted (sitter)
Nelson, Ricky
publisher
Eric Music, Inc.
ID Number
1984.0023.11
accession number
1984.0023
catalog number
1984.0023.11
Johnny Otis Orchestra. side 1: Turkey Hop [part 1]; side 2: Turkey Hop [part 2] (Savoy 732).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Johnny Otis Orchestra. side 1: Turkey Hop [part 1]; side 2: Turkey Hop [part 2] (Savoy 732).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1950
recording artist
Johnny Otis Orchestra
manufacturer
Savoy
ID Number
1991.0305.250
maker number
732
catalog number
1991.0305.250
accession number
1991.0305
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1952
maker
Francis, Day & Hunter Ltd.
ID Number
2017.3021.294
nonaccession number
2017.3021
catalog number
2017.3021.294
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1950s
depicted (sitter)
Sinatra, Frank
ID Number
1982.0377.06
accession number
1982.0377
catalog number
1982.0377.06
This sheet music is for the song “Symphony” that was written by Andre Tabet and Roger Bernstein, with an American version by Jack Lawrence. Alex Alstone composed the music to the song. Chappell & Company, Inc. of New York City published this sheet music in 1955.
Description (Brief)
This sheet music is for the song “Symphony” that was written by Andre Tabet and Roger Bernstein, with an American version by Jack Lawrence. Alex Alstone composed the music to the song. Chappell & Company, Inc. of New York City published this sheet music in 1955. The pale blue and white cover has an inset photograph of Johnny Desmond, a popular singer and recording artists during the 1940s and 1950s.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1955
publisher
Chappell and Co., Inc.
ID Number
1983.0424.163
accession number
1983.0424
catalog number
1983.0424.163
Lawson-Haggart Jazz Band. Blues on the River (Decca DL 5439).33-1/3 rpm.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Lawson-Haggart Jazz Band. Blues on the River (Decca DL 5439).
33-1/3 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
release date
1952
recording artist
Lawson-Haggart Jazz Band
manufacturer
Decca
ID Number
1978.0670.698
accession number
1978.0670
catalog number
1978.0670.698
maker number
DL 5439
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1955
recording artist
Bernstein, Elmer
manufacturer
Decca
ID Number
1996.3034.00563
nonaccession number
1996.3034
catalog number
1996.3034.00563
label number
ED 2337
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1950
depicted (sitter)
Damone, Vic
lyricist; composer
Benjamin, Bennie
ID Number
2017.3021.277
nonaccession number
2017.3021
catalog number
2017.3021.277

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