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.

This guitar was made by Robert Benedetto in Homosassa Springs, Florida, in 1978.It is a 7 course (7x1) archtop model, serial #1678. Robert Benedetto was born in 1946 in The Bronx, New York into a family of artists, cabinet maker s and musicians.
Description

This guitar was made by Robert Benedetto in Homosassa Springs, Florida, in 1978.

It is a 7 course (7x1) archtop model, serial #1678.

Robert Benedetto was born in 1946 in The Bronx, New York into a family of artists, cabinet maker s and musicians. Benedetto made his first archtop guitar in 1968. His reputation grew as he crafted guitars for noted guitarists Bucky Pizzarelli, Chuck Wayne, Joe Diorio and Cal Collins. From 1999-2006, Benedetto had a licensing agreement with Fender Musical Instruments to produce his models in a small, controlled manufacturing environment. Following the agreement with Fender, Benedetto joined forces with jazz guitarist and corporate executive, Howard Paul, to manufacture a broad line of more affordable professional instruments without compromising the unparalleled Benedetto quality. In 1977 Benedetto met jazz guitarist, John “Bucky” Pizzarelli and made this 7-string archtop guitar, serial #1678, for him a year later. Pizzarelli played this guitar up until the time he donated it to the museum in 2005.

Date made
1978
user
Pizzarelli, John "Bucky"
maker
Benedetto, Robert
ID Number
2006.0004.01
accession number
2006.0004
catalog number
2006.0004.01
This snare drum was made by Rose, Morris & Co. in London, England, around 1968-1970. It is a Clansman model with a black lacquer wood shell, chrome-plated metal flange hoops, a white vinyl top head and a clear vinyl bottom head, and a metal snare.
Description

This snare drum was made by Rose, Morris & Co. in London, England, around 1968-1970. It is a Clansman model with a black lacquer wood shell, chrome-plated metal flange hoops, a white vinyl top head and a clear vinyl bottom head, and a metal snare. There are 6 chrome-plated metal ribs attached to the shell covering the metal tensioning rods. The maker’s medallion around the vent hole is inscribed:

CLANSMAN
ROSE, MORRIS & CO.
MADE IN ENGLAND

This drum was used by a member of the United States Air Force Pipe Band. In 1950, the band was formed as part of the United States Air Force Drum and Bugle Corps. A separate Air Force Pipe Band was formed in 1960, and by 1970, the pipe band was disbanded.

Location
Currently not on view
date made
1968 - 1970
ID Number
MI.075303
accession number
295417
catalog number
75303
This chalkware statue of American jazz trumpeter and vocalist Louis Armstrong (1901-1971) was made by Esco Products, Inc. in New York, circa 1972.
Description

This chalkware statue of American jazz trumpeter and vocalist Louis Armstrong (1901-1971) was made by Esco Products, Inc. in New York, circa 1972. The statue depicts Armstrong in a burgundy jacket with white shirt, black bowtie, pants and shoes, holding a trumpet in his right hand and a handkerchief in his left hand. As in many of Esco’s celebrity statues, the heads are exaggerated in size.

The statue was given to American jazz vocalist Ella Fitzgerald and is inscribed on the bottom of the statue, “FROM PHOEBE.”

Location
Currently not on view
manufacturing date
ca 1972
depicted
Armstrong, Louis
ID Number
1996.0342.062
accession number
1996.0342
catalog number
1996.0342.062
This custom–made "Silver Flair" trumpet belonged to renowned trumpeter, bandleader, and composer John Birks "Dizzy" Gillespie, a founder of the modern jazz style known as bebop.
Description
This custom–made "Silver Flair" trumpet belonged to renowned trumpeter, bandleader, and composer John Birks "Dizzy" Gillespie, a founder of the modern jazz style known as bebop. Renowned for his musical virtuosity and for his impish good humor and wit, Gillespie played this trumpet from the late 1970s to the early 1980s. Its uniquely shaped upturned bell was Gillespie's internationally known trademark.
date made
1977
owner
Gillespie, Dizzy
user
Gillespie, Dizzy
maker
King Musical Instruments
ID Number
1986.0003.01
catalog number
1986.0003.01
accession number
1986.0003
serial number
673792
The Muppets. The Frog Prince (Columbia CC23530)33-1/3 rpmCurrently not on view
Description (Brief)
The Muppets. The Frog Prince (Columbia CC23530)
33-1/3 rpm
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1971
performer
Henson, Jim
maker
Columbia
ID Number
2005.0298.04
accession number
2005.0298
maker number
CC23530
catalog number
2005.0298.04
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1977
manufacturer
Capitol
ID Number
1996.3034.05670
nonaccession number
1996.3034
label number
4465
catalog number
1996.3034.05670
Diana Ross. side 1: Theme from Mahogany (Do You Know Where You're Going To) [mono]; side 2: Theme from Mahogany (Do You Know Where You're Going To) [stereo] (Motown M1377F)45 rpm. Accessioned with original printed sleeve.
Description (Brief)

Diana Ross. side 1: Theme from Mahogany (Do You Know Where You're Going To) [mono]; side 2: Theme from Mahogany (Do You Know Where You're Going To) [stereo] (Motown M1377F)
45 rpm. Accessioned with original printed sleeve. Pressed on gold colored vinyl.

This song was featured in the 1975 Motown Productions and Paramount Pictures film Mahogany, directed by Berry Gordy and starred Diana Ross, Billy Dee Williams, Jean-Pierre Aumont, and Anthony Perkins.

Location
Currently not on view
date made
1975
recording artist
Ross, Diana
manufacturer
Motown
ID Number
1996.3034.06750
catalog number
1996.3034.06750
nonaccession number
1996.3034
label number
M1377F
Pearl Butler accepts a song request from a young fan. Pearl (1927-1998) and Carl Butler (1927-1992) were part of the honky-tonk and bluegrass music movements before World War II.
Description
Pearl Butler accepts a song request from a young fan. Pearl (1927-1998) and Carl Butler (1927-1992) were part of the honky-tonk and bluegrass music movements before World War II. After their 1962 hit, "Don't Let Me Cross Over," the Butlers became one of the most popular male-female vocal teams in country music.
Location
Currently not on view
negative
1973
print
2003
maker
Horenstein, Henry
ID Number
2003.0169.076
accession number
2003.0169
catalog number
2003.0169.076
This button attacher kit was made by the Dennison Company in Framingham, Massachusetts, early 1970s. It is a Dennison Buttoneer Attacher Kit, in a black faux crocodile embossed case. The case contains a plastic handled attacher and assorted plastic filaments.
Description

This button attacher kit was made by the Dennison Company in Framingham, Massachusetts, early 1970s. It is a Dennison Buttoneer Attacher Kit, in a black faux crocodile embossed case. The case contains a plastic handled attacher and assorted plastic filaments. The case is embossed:

Dennison Buttoneer Kit

(with plastic letters)

ARB

This is a hand-held plastic device with a handle on one end and a needle on the other. It uses a strip of small plastic fasteners that are loaded into the handle chamber and inserted through a button and material, fastening them together without using a needle and thread.

This object features U.S. Patent #3470834, dated October 7, 1969, by Arnold R. Bone, for a fastener attaching device.

Arnold R. Bone (July 26, 1913 - August 9, 2001) was an engineer, inventor, gunsmith, string instrument bowmaker. He grew up in South Ryegate, Vermont, and graduated from Wentworth Institute in 1935. After graduation, Bone worked at Irwin Auger Bit Company in Wilmington, Ohio before returning to Wentworth to teach Navy machinist mates during World War II until 1944. The final part of his career, Bone worked at Dennison Mfg. Company in Framingham (now Avery Dennison) when he retired in 2000.

Arnold R. Bone held numerous patents at Dennison, including several for the Swiftacher, the device for attaching tags to clothing with a nylon filament. His ubiquitous fasteners are still used today. Bone applied his engineering and master craftsman skills to making string instrument bows, and also became one of the world's most respected experts on repair and restoration of fine bows. His customers ranged from young students to members of professional ensembles such as the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and bows were shipped to him from all over the world.

Location
Currently not on view
date made
early 1970s
Associated Name
Bone, A. R.
maker
Dennison Manfacturing Company
ID Number
2002.0167.30
accession number
2002.0167
catalog number
2002.0167.30
Phyllis Diller wore this costume while performing as a solo pianist under the virtuoso pseudonym Dame Illya Dillya.
Description

Phyllis Diller wore this costume while performing as a solo pianist under the virtuoso pseudonym Dame Illya Dillya. The costume consists of a white dress decorated in cut-glass gems and silver sequins, an opera coat trimmed with a white fur shawl collar and wrists and decorated with plastic beads, a pair of white opera-length gloves (one of which is almost 8 feet long) and a tiara (which originally held a large white feather plume). Diller, while known for her stand-up comedy, was also an accomplished pianist. After graduating high school, Diller studied piano for three years at the Sherwood Conservatory of Music (at Columbia College Chicago), but eventually decided against a career in music.

After finding success in comedy, she received a call from the Pittsburgh Pops asking if she would do a show. With her mind in the music world, Diller responded and said she would love to and that she would play some Bach and Beethoven. The caller was so stunned that he did not let on that he only intended for her to perform her comedy. Thus began Diller’s career as an accomplished pianist. From 1971 to 1982 Diller performed with over 100 symphony orchestras across the United States and Canada in a show called The Symphonic Phyllis Diller. During these performances she would seriously perform pieces by Beethoven, Bach, and others as a solo pianist with an orchestra while integrating comedic elements.

The first half of The Symphonic Phyllis Diller was a performance by the symphony without Diller. After being dramatically introduced, Diller would sweep onstage in this concert dress and opera coat and proceed to peel off her white gloves. After peeling off the right glove and throwing it to the floor she would begin with the left which appeared to be endless because it is almost 8 feet long. After finally throwing the second glove to the ground Diller would toss the white fur around her neck to the ground and face the conductor, with her back to the audience, to unzip her long coat. The conductor would appear surprised, as if she was wearing nothing under the coat. Diller then proceeded to step out of the coat fully dressed and clap her hands, summoning two people carrying a stretcher onto the stage. These men then carefully arranged the clothes on the stretcher like a body and removed them from the stage. Next, Diller looked to the piano, ready to play, but discovered there was no piano bench. She then took the concert master’s chair who would proceed to take someone else’s chair, which continued until it reached the last violinist in the section, who was caught sleeping and grabbed the piano bench from backstage for himself before Diller snatched it. She then stepped over the bench in her long dress and bowed to the conductor 3 times before he started the music. During this musical prologue she dusted the piano, checked her sheet music, and looked at the audience through her binoculars before her entry into the piece. Despite the comedy pantomime up until this point, as soon as she began playing she was serious and generally impressed the audience with her musical skill.

date made
ca 1971
wearer
Diller, Phyllis
ID Number
COLL.DILLER.000001
accession number
2003.0289
catalog number
2003.0289.02.01
2003.0289.02.04
2003.0289.02.03
2003.0289.02.02
Henry Horenstein photographed Hank Williams Jr., the son of legendary singer Hank Williams, leaving his tour bus. Williams Jr. (b. 1949) spent his early career singing his father's songs in his own style.
Description
Henry Horenstein photographed Hank Williams Jr., the son of legendary singer Hank Williams, leaving his tour bus. Williams Jr. (b. 1949) spent his early career singing his father's songs in his own style. After a 1974 suicide attempt and a mountain climbing accident in 1975, he revamped his own image, modeling it after rowdy southern rockers. Later he was considered part of the Outlaw Country Movement.
Location
Currently not on view
negative
1973
print
2003
maker
Horenstein, Henry
ID Number
2003.0169.074
accession number
2003.0169
catalog number
2003.0169.074
This Appalachian dulcimer was made by Roscoe Russell in Galax, Virginia, in 1970.
Description
This Appalachian dulcimer was made by Roscoe Russell in Galax, Virginia, in 1970. It is a single-bout dulcimer, with four strings (two melody strings and two drone strings), light wood nut and bridge, 15 metal frets, 2 four-hole diamond pattern sound holes and 2 small hole sound holes, 4 dark wood friction pegs, carved through pegbox, and rectangular head. The tail is rounded with a hole in center. The instrument was accessioned with a wooden noter.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1970
maker
Russell, Roscoe
ID Number
MI.71.14
catalog number
71.14
accession number
319055
At Tootsie's Orchid Lounge, musicians could hang out, perform and hope for a chance to be discovered.Currently not on view
Description
At Tootsie's Orchid Lounge, musicians could hang out, perform and hope for a chance to be discovered.
Location
Currently not on view
negative
1974
print
2003
maker
Horenstein, Henry
ID Number
2003.0169.111
catalog number
2003.0169.111
accession number
2003.0169
This mouthpiece was made F.E. Olds & Son in Fullerton, California, around 1952-1977. It is a trombone mouthpiece, made of brass. The mouthpiece is stamped:Olds3Currently not on view
Description

This mouthpiece was made F.E. Olds & Son in Fullerton, California, around 1952-1977. It is a trombone mouthpiece, made of brass. The mouthpiece is stamped:

Olds
3

Location
Currently not on view
date made
1952-1977
maker
F. E. Olds & Son
ID Number
MI.70.13
catalog number
70.13
accession number
287589
This pair of drum sticks were made by Ludwig Drum Company in Chicago, Illinois, 1970s. They are Pencil Model 6A drum sticks, made of hickory.
Description (Brief)

This pair of drum sticks were made by Ludwig Drum Company in Chicago, Illinois, 1970s. They are Pencil Model 6A drum sticks, made of hickory. The sticks are stamped:

6A LUDWIG U.S.A.

This pair of drum sticks are from a drumset used by American jazz drummer, singer, and bandleader Ray McKinley around 1969-1980. Ray McKinley (1910-1995) made his first recordings with Red Nichols, where he worked with Glenn Miller and Jimmy Dorsey, in 1931. McKinley continued to work mostly with Miller and the Dorsey Brothers (Jimmy and Tommy) through 1939. He then was a member of Will Bradley’s band through 1942. After enlisting in the Army in 1942, McKinley joined Glenn Miller’s American Band of The Allied Expeditionary Forces (AEF). After Miller’s disappearance in 1944, McKinley co-led the band with Jerry Gray.

After the war, McKinley formed his own band and worked as a freelance musician. In 1956 he was commissioned by the widow of Glenn Miller to organize a new band under Miller’s name using the original library and style. This band made a successful tour of Iron Curtain countries in 1957 and continued to tour the United States until 1966. McKinley played drums while Buddy DeFranco fronted the band from 1966-1974. McKinley continued to perform through the 1980s.

Location
Currently not on view
date made
1970s
user
McKinley, Ray
maker
Ludwig Drum Company
ID Number
1998.0075.13
accession number
1998.0075
catalog number
1998.0075.13
This is a cardboard sleeve that contained a record by the band Los Peppers de Victor Garza, distributed by El Zarape records in 1973. Los Peppers de Victor Garza was part of the Tejano music scene during the 1960s and 1970s in Texas.
Description
This is a cardboard sleeve that contained a record by the band Los Peppers de Victor Garza, distributed by El Zarape records in 1973. Los Peppers de Victor Garza was part of the Tejano music scene during the 1960s and 1970s in Texas. The vinyl LP sleeve has images of the band playing their instruments on stage.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1973
maker
El Zarape
ID Number
2013.3092.01
nonaccession number
2013.3092
catalog number
2013.3092.01
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1972
ID Number
2016.0032.122
accession number
2016.0032
catalog number
2016.0032.122
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1977
recording artist
Nicholas, Jenny
manufacturer
Blue Candle
ID Number
1996.3034.05608
catalog number
1996.3034.05608
nonaccession number
1996.3034
label number
1525
Jeannie C. Riley. side 1: Harper Valley P.T.A.; side 2: Harper Valley P.T.A. (Plantation PL-173)45 rpm. Pressed on green vinyl. Accessioned with original printed sleeve.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Jeannie C. Riley. side 1: Harper Valley P.T.A.; side 2: Harper Valley P.T.A. (Plantation PL-173)
45 rpm. Pressed on green vinyl. Accessioned with original printed sleeve.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1978
recording artist
Riley, Jeannie C.
ID Number
1996.3034.06532
catalog number
1996.3034.06532
nonaccession number
1996.3034
label number
PL-173
This sheet music is for the song “Put Your Hand in the Hand,” with words and music by Gene MacLellan. It was published by Beechwood Music Corporation in Lebanon, Indiana in 1970.
Description
This sheet music is for the song “Put Your Hand in the Hand,” with words and music by Gene MacLellan. It was published by Beechwood Music Corporation in Lebanon, Indiana in 1970. The cover features an image of Canadian singer Anne Murray, who recorded this song on Capital Records.
Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1970
depicted (sitter)
Murray, Anne
publisher
Beechwood Music Corporation
ID Number
1986.0021.30
accession number
1986.0021
catalog number
1986.0021.30
This stand was made by an unknown maker in the United States, 1970s. It is cymbal stand (for Cat.
Description (Brief)

This stand was made by an unknown maker in the United States, 1970s. It is cymbal stand (for Cat. 1998.0075.06), tripod style, made of metal, with metal wingnuts, and rubber feet.

This cymbal stand and pedal is from a drumset used by American jazz drummer, singer, and bandleader Ray McKinley around 1969-1980. Ray McKinley (1910-1995) made his first recordings with Red Nichols, where he worked with Glenn Miller and Jimmy Dorsey, in 1931. McKinley continued to work mostly with Miller and the Dorsey Brothers (Jimmy and Tommy) through 1939. He then was a member of Will Bradley’s band through 1942. After enlisting in the Army in 1942, McKinley joined Glenn Miller’s American Band of The Allied Expeditionary Forces (AEF). After Miller’s disappearance in 1944, McKinley co-led the band with Jerry Gray.

After the war, McKinley formed his own band and worked as a freelance musician. In 1956 he was commissioned by the widow of Glenn Miller to organize a new band under Miller’s name using the original library and style. This band made a successful tour of Iron Curtain countries in 1957 and continued to tour the United States until 1966. McKinley played drums while Buddy DeFranco fronted the band from 1966-1974. McKinley continued to perform through the 1980s.

Location
Currently not on view
date made
1970s
user
McKinley, Ray
ID Number
1998.0075.06.01
catalog number
1998.0075.06.01
accession number
1998.0075
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1970
recording artist
Presley, Elvis
manufacturer
RCA Victor
ID Number
1996.3034.06148
catalog number
1996.3034.06148
nonaccession number
1996.3034
label number
47-9835
This bow was made by Glasser Manufacturing Company in Bronx, New York, around 1970-1975. It is a 1/4 violin bow made of fiberglass, with a wood frog, metal screw, plastic tip plate, and horsehair.This bow features U. S.
Description

This bow was made by Glasser Manufacturing Company in Bronx, New York, around 1970-1975. It is a 1/4 violin bow made of fiberglass, with a wood frog, metal screw, plastic tip plate, and horsehair.

This bow features U. S. Patent #3456544, dated July 22, 1969 by Leon Glasser, for a musical instrument bow made of reinforced plastic.

Location
Currently not on view
date made
1970-1975
ID Number
1987.0501.13
accession number
1987.0501
catalog number
1987.0501.13
In the 1970s and 1980s, photographer Henry Horenstein documented the lives and performances of country and bluegrass musicians. The time marked the end of an era of less commercialism and closer relationships between fans and musicians.
Description
In the 1970s and 1980s, photographer Henry Horenstein documented the lives and performances of country and bluegrass musicians. The time marked the end of an era of less commercialism and closer relationships between fans and musicians. It was a time when the casual atmosphere of outdoor venues was popular, and the music fans could often meet their favorite musicians in the parking lots or other areas of the grounds. In this image, taken in 1972 at Indian Ranch in Webster, Massachusetts, bluegrass musician and singer Joe Val (1926-1985) plays a Gibson mandolin in a picnic area. He is accompanied by other guitarists and is being watched by fans. Val (born Joseph Valiante) was an accomplished mandolinist and guitarist who played both traditional and progressive bluegrass in his band, the New England Bluegrass Boys.
Location
Currently not on view
negative
1972
1972
maker
Horenstein, Henry
ID Number
2003.0169.072
accession number
2003.0169
catalog number
2003.0169.072

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