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.

Lu Watters and his Yerba Buena Jazz Band. side 1: Emporer Norton's Hunch; side 2: Skid Da De Dat (Mercury 11050), from the album, Lu Watters Jazz (Mercury C-103).78 rpm.The cover art for this album was by David Stone Martin (born David Livingstone Martin, 1913-1992).
Description

Lu Watters and his Yerba Buena Jazz Band. side 1: Emporer Norton's Hunch; side 2: Skid Da De Dat (Mercury 11050), from the album, Lu Watters Jazz (Mercury C-103).
78 rpm.

The cover art for this album was by David Stone Martin (born David Livingstone Martin, 1913-1992). Martin was an American artist best known for his illustrations on jazz album covers for labels including Mercury, Asch, Clef, Disc, and Dial. Many of his commissions were from Martin’s longtime friend, American jazz record producer and concert promoter Norman Granz (1918-2001).

Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1950
recording artist
Lu Watters' Yerba Buena Jazz Band
manufacturer
Mercury
ID Number
1978.0670.638
accession number
1978.0670
maker number
11050
C-103
catalog number
1978.0670.638
Lu Watters and his Yerba Buena Jazz Band. side 1: Sage Hen Strut; side 2: When the Saints Go Marching In (Mercury 11051), from the album, Lu Watters Jazz (Mercury C-103).78 rpm.The cover art for this album was by David Stone Martin (born David Livingstone Martin, 1913-1992).
Description

Lu Watters and his Yerba Buena Jazz Band. side 1: Sage Hen Strut; side 2: When the Saints Go Marching In (Mercury 11051), from the album, Lu Watters Jazz (Mercury C-103).
78 rpm.

The cover art for this album was by David Stone Martin (born David Livingstone Martin, 1913-1992). Martin was an American artist best known for his illustrations on jazz album covers for labels including Mercury, Asch, Clef, Disc, and Dial. Many of his commissions were from Martin’s longtime friend, American jazz record producer and concert promoter Norman Granz (1918-2001).

Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1950
recording artist
Lu Watters' Yerba Buena Jazz Band
manufacturer
Mercury
ID Number
1978.0670.639
accession number
1978.0670
maker number
11051
C-103
catalog number
1978.0670.639
Lu Watters and his Yerba Buena Jazz Band. side 1: Antiqua Blues; side 2: Copenhagen (Mercury 11052), from the album, Lu Watters Jazz (Mercury C-103).78 rpm.The cover art for this album was by David Stone Martin (born David Livingstone Martin, 1913-1992).
Description

Lu Watters and his Yerba Buena Jazz Band. side 1: Antiqua Blues; side 2: Copenhagen (Mercury 11052), from the album, Lu Watters Jazz (Mercury C-103).
78 rpm.

The cover art for this album was by David Stone Martin (born David Livingstone Martin, 1913-1992). Martin was an American artist best known for his illustrations on jazz album covers for labels including Mercury, Asch, Clef, Disc, and Dial. Many of his commissions were from Martin’s longtime friend, American jazz record producer and concert promoter Norman Granz (1918-2001).

Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1950
recording artist
Lu Watters' Yerba Buena Jazz Band
artist
Martin, David Stone
manufacturer
Mercury
ID Number
1978.0670.640
accession number
1978.0670
maker number
11052
C-103
catalog number
1978.0670.640
Lu Watters' Yerba Buena Jazz Band. side 1: High Society; side 2: Terrible Blues (Jazz Man 15).78 rpm.Jazz Man Records was founded by David Ashford Stuart in 1941. The record label was devoted to traditional New Orleans-style jazz.
Description (Brief)

Lu Watters' Yerba Buena Jazz Band. side 1: High Society; side 2: Terrible Blues (Jazz Man 15).
78 rpm.

Jazz Man Records was founded by David Ashford Stuart in 1941. The record label was devoted to traditional New Orleans-style jazz. In 1946, Stuart sold the label to Nesuhi Ertegun, brother of Ahmet Ertegun, founder of Atlantic Records, and Nesuhi’s wife Marili Morden, owners of the Jazz Man Record Shop in Hollywood, the label’s namesake. Jazz Man Records continued to produce recordings until late 1954.

Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1942
recording artist
Lu Watters' Yerba Buena Jazz Band
manufacturer
Jazz Man
ID Number
1978.0670.298
maker number
15
accession number
1978.0670
catalog number
1978.0670.298
Lu Watters' Yerba Buena Jazz Band. side 1: Fidgety Feet; side 2: Temptation Rag (Jazz Man 7).78 rpm.Jazz Man Records was founded by David Ashford Stuart in 1941. The record label was devoted to traditional New Orleans-style jazz.
Description (Brief)

Lu Watters' Yerba Buena Jazz Band. side 1: Fidgety Feet; side 2: Temptation Rag (Jazz Man 7).
78 rpm.

Jazz Man Records was founded by David Ashford Stuart in 1941. The record label was devoted to traditional New Orleans-style jazz. In 1946, Stuart sold the label to Nesuhi Ertegun, brother of Ahmet Ertegun, founder of Atlantic Records, and Nesuhi’s wife Marili Morden, owners of the Jazz Man Record Shop in Hollywood, the label’s namesake. Jazz Man Records continued to produce recordings until late 1954.

Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1942
recording artist
Lu Watters' Yerba Buena Jazz Band
manufacturer
Jazz Man
ID Number
1978.0670.296
maker number
7
accession number
1978.0670
catalog number
1978.0670.296
Lu Watters. Yerba Buena Jazz Band. side 1: Daddy Do; side 2: Milenberg Joys (Jazz Man 13).78 rpm.Jazz Man Records was founded by David Ashford Stuart in 1941. The record label was devoted to traditional New Orleans-style jazz.
Description (Brief)

Lu Watters. Yerba Buena Jazz Band. side 1: Daddy Do; side 2: Milenberg Joys (Jazz Man 13).
78 rpm.

Jazz Man Records was founded by David Ashford Stuart in 1941. The record label was devoted to traditional New Orleans-style jazz. In 1946, Stuart sold the label to Nesuhi Ertegun, brother of Ahmet Ertegun, founder of Atlantic Records, and Nesuhi’s wife Marili Morden, owners of the Jazz Man Record Shop in Hollywood, the label’s namesake. Jazz Man Records continued to produce recordings until late 1954.

Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1942
recording artist
Lu Watters' Yerba Buena Jazz Band
manufacturer
Jazz Man
ID Number
1978.0670.297
maker number
13
catalog number
1978.0670.297
accession number
1978.0670
Lu Watters' Yerba Buena Jazz Band. side 1: Irish Black Bottom; side 2: Memphis Blues (Jazz Man 2).78 rpm.Jazz Man Records was founded by David Ashford Stuart in 1941. The record label was devoted to traditional New Orleans-style jazz.
Description (Brief)

Lu Watters' Yerba Buena Jazz Band. side 1: Irish Black Bottom; side 2: Memphis Blues (Jazz Man 2).
78 rpm.

Jazz Man Records was founded by David Ashford Stuart in 1941. The record label was devoted to traditional New Orleans-style jazz. In 1946, Stuart sold the label to Nesuhi Ertegun, brother of Ahmet Ertegun, founder of Atlantic Records, and Nesuhi’s wife Marili Morden, owners of the Jazz Man Record Shop in Hollywood, the label’s namesake. Jazz Man Records continued to produce recordings until late 1954.

Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1941
recording artist
Lu Watters' Yerba Buena Jazz Band
manufacturer
Jazz Man
ID Number
1978.0670.290
maker number
2
accession number
1978.0670
catalog number
1978.0670.290
Lu Watters' Yerba Buena Jazz Band. side 1: Muskrat Ramble; side 2: Smokey Mokes (Jazz Man 3).78 rpm.Jazz Man Records was founded by David Ashford Stuart in 1941. The record label was devoted to traditional New Orleans-style jazz.
Description (Brief)

Lu Watters' Yerba Buena Jazz Band. side 1: Muskrat Ramble; side 2: Smokey Mokes (Jazz Man 3).
78 rpm.

Jazz Man Records was founded by David Ashford Stuart in 1941. The record label was devoted to traditional New Orleans-style jazz. In 1946, Stuart sold the label to Nesuhi Ertegun, brother of Ahmet Ertegun, founder of Atlantic Records, and Nesuhi’s wife Marili Morden, owners of the Jazz Man Record Shop in Hollywood, the label’s namesake. Jazz Man Records continued to produce recordings until late 1954.

Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1941
recording artist
Lu Watters' Yerba Buena Jazz Band
manufacturer
Jazz Man
ID Number
1978.0670.292
maker number
3
accession number
1978.0670
catalog number
1978.0670.292
Lu Watters and his Yerba Buena Jazz Band. side 1: Ace in the Hole; side 2: Weary Blues (Mercury 11026).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Lu Watters and his Yerba Buena Jazz Band. side 1: Ace in the Hole; side 2: Weary Blues (Mercury 11026).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1950
recording artist
Lu Watters' Yerba Buena Jazz Band
manufacturer
Mercury
ID Number
1978.0670.321
maker number
11026
accession number
1978.0670
catalog number
1978.0670.321
Lu Watters' Yerba Buena Jazz Band. side 1: At a Georgia Camp Meeting; side 2: Original Jelly Roll Blues (Jazz Man 4).78 rpm.Jazz Man Records was founded by David Ashford Stuart in 1941. The record label was devoted to traditional New Orleans-style jazz.
Description (Brief)

Lu Watters' Yerba Buena Jazz Band. side 1: At a Georgia Camp Meeting; side 2: Original Jelly Roll Blues (Jazz Man 4).
78 rpm.

Jazz Man Records was founded by David Ashford Stuart in 1941. The record label was devoted to traditional New Orleans-style jazz. In 1946, Stuart sold the label to Nesuhi Ertegun, brother of Ahmet Ertegun, founder of Atlantic Records, and Nesuhi’s wife Marili Morden, owners of the Jazz Man Record Shop in Hollywood, the label’s namesake. Jazz Man Records continued to produce recordings until late 1954.

Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1941
recording artist
Lu Watters' Yerba Buena Jazz Band
manufacturer
Jazz Man
ID Number
1978.0670.293
maker number
4
accession number
1978.0670
catalog number
1978.0670.293
Lu Watters' Yerba Buena Jazz Band. side 1: Come Back Sweet Papa; side 2: Tiger Rag (Jazz Man 6).78 rpm.Jazz Man Records was founded by David Ashford Stuart in 1941. The record label was devoted to traditional New Orleans-style jazz.
Description (Brief)

Lu Watters' Yerba Buena Jazz Band. side 1: Come Back Sweet Papa; side 2: Tiger Rag (Jazz Man 6).
78 rpm.

Jazz Man Records was founded by David Ashford Stuart in 1941. The record label was devoted to traditional New Orleans-style jazz. In 1946, Stuart sold the label to Nesuhi Ertegun, brother of Ahmet Ertegun, founder of Atlantic Records, and Nesuhi’s wife Marili Morden, owners of the Jazz Man Record Shop in Hollywood, the label’s namesake. Jazz Man Records continued to produce recordings until late 1954.

Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1942
recording artist
Lu Watters' Yerba Buena Jazz Band
manufacturer
Jazz Man
ID Number
1978.0670.295
maker number
6
accession number
1978.0670
catalog number
1978.0670.295
Lu Watters' Yerba Buena Jazz Band. side 1: Black and White Rag; side 2: Maple Leaf Rag (Jazz Man 1)78 rpm. Side 1 was recorded in 1942. Side 2 was recorded in 1941.Jazz Man Records was founded by David Ashford Stuart in 1941.
Description (Brief)

Lu Watters' Yerba Buena Jazz Band. side 1: Black and White Rag; side 2: Maple Leaf Rag (Jazz Man 1)
78 rpm. Side 1 was recorded in 1942. Side 2 was recorded in 1941.

Jazz Man Records was founded by David Ashford Stuart in 1941. The record label was devoted to traditional New Orleans-style jazz. In 1946, Stuart sold the label to Nesuhi Ertegun, brother of Ahmet Ertegun, founder of Atlantic Records, and Nesuhi’s wife Marili Morden, owners of the Jazz Man Record Shop in Hollywood, the label’s namesake. Jazz Man Records continued to produce recordings until late 1954.

Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1941
1942
recording artist
Lu Watters' Yerba Buena Jazz Band
Rose, Wally
manufacturer
Jazz Man
ID Number
1978.0670.289
maker number
1
accession number
1978.0670
catalog number
1978.0670.289
Lu Watters' Yerba Buena Jazz Band. side 1: London Blues; side 2: Sunset Cafe Stomp (Jazz Man 14).78 rpm.Jazz Man Records was founded by David Ashford Stuart in 1941. The record label was devoted to traditional New Orleans-style jazz.
Description (Brief)

Lu Watters' Yerba Buena Jazz Band. side 1: London Blues; side 2: Sunset Cafe Stomp (Jazz Man 14).
78 rpm.

Jazz Man Records was founded by David Ashford Stuart in 1941. The record label was devoted to traditional New Orleans-style jazz. In 1946, Stuart sold the label to Nesuhi Ertegun, brother of Ahmet Ertegun, founder of Atlantic Records, and Nesuhi’s wife Marili Morden, owners of the Jazz Man Record Shop in Hollywood, the label’s namesake. Jazz Man Records continued to produce recordings until late 1954.

Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1942
recording artist
Lu Watters' Yerba Buena Jazz Band
manufacturer
Jazz Man
ID Number
1978.0670.291
maker number
14
accession number
1978.0670
catalog number
1978.0670.291
Lu Watters' Yerba Buena Jazz Band. side 1: Cake Walking Babies; side 2: Riverside Blues (Jazz Man 5).78 rpm.Jazz Man Records was founded by David Ashford Stuart in 1941. The record label was devoted to traditional New Orleans-style jazz.
Description (Brief)

Lu Watters' Yerba Buena Jazz Band. side 1: Cake Walking Babies; side 2: Riverside Blues (Jazz Man 5).
78 rpm.

Jazz Man Records was founded by David Ashford Stuart in 1941. The record label was devoted to traditional New Orleans-style jazz. In 1946, Stuart sold the label to Nesuhi Ertegun, brother of Ahmet Ertegun, founder of Atlantic Records, and Nesuhi’s wife Marili Morden, owners of the Jazz Man Record Shop in Hollywood, the label’s namesake. Jazz Man Records continued to produce recordings until late 1954.

Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1942
recording artist
Lu Watters' Yerba Buena Jazz Band
manufacturer
Jazz Man
ID Number
1978.0670.294
maker number
5
accession number
1978.0670
catalog number
1978.0670.294
Lu Watters and his Yerba Buena Jazz Band. side 1: Doin' the Hambone; side 2: Waiting for the Robert E. Lee (Mercury 11025).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Lu Watters and his Yerba Buena Jazz Band. side 1: Doin' the Hambone; side 2: Waiting for the Robert E. Lee (Mercury 11025).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1950
recording artist
Lu Watters' Yerba Buena Jazz Band
manufacturer
Mercury
ID Number
1978.0670.320
maker number
11025
accession number
1978.0670
catalog number
1978.0670.320

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