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 sheet music is for “Patsy Montana's New Songs: Those Two Little Kids of Mine / Montana, I Hear You Calling Me. It was published by Hilliard-Currie Corporation in Chicago, Illinois in 1945.
Description (Brief)
This sheet music is for “Patsy Montana's New Songs: Those Two Little Kids of Mine / Montana, I Hear You Calling Me. It was published by Hilliard-Currie Corporation in Chicago, Illinois in 1945. The cover features an image of country music vocalist, Patsy Montana, and on the back an image of Patsy Montana's family. The front is signed: "To Darlene from Patsy Montana."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1945
depicted (sitter)
Montana, Patsy
maker
Hilliard-Currie Corporation
ID Number
2014.0087.01
accession number
2014.0087
catalog number
2014.0087.01
various artists. side 1: Mordido [part 3]; side 2: Mordido [part 4] (Mercury 11015), from the album, Norman Granz' Jazz at the Philharmonic, Vol. 9. 78 rpm.The cover art for this album was by David Stone Martin (born David Livingstone Martin, 1913-1992).
Description

various artists. side 1: Mordido [part 3]; side 2: Mordido [part 4] (Mercury 11015), from the album, Norman Granz' Jazz at the Philharmonic, Vol. 9.
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
1947
recording artist
Jacquet, Illinois
Phillips, Flip
Harris, Bill
McGhee, Howard
Jones, Jo
Brown, Ray
Jones, Hank
manufacturer
Mercury
ID Number
1978.0670.626
accession number
1978.0670
maker number
11015
MERCURY VOL. 9
catalog number
1978.0670.626
This bass drum foot pedal was made by Ludwig Drum Company in Chicago, Illinois, 1960s. It is a Bass Drum Beater, Speed King model, made of metal, with a red painted wood beater. The pedal is cast:SPEED KINGBALL BEARINGTWIN SPRINGPATENTEDLudwigCHICAGOThis drum pedal features U.S.
Description (Brief)

This bass drum foot pedal was made by Ludwig Drum Company in Chicago, Illinois, 1960s. It is a Bass Drum Beater, Speed King model, made of metal, with a red painted wood beater. The pedal is cast:

SPEED KING
BALL BEARING
TWIN SPRING
PATENTED
Ludwig
CHICAGO

This drum pedal features U.S. Patent #2132211 dated October 4, 1938 by Walter Hueckstead, for a bass drum beater.

This base drum beater 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
1960s
user
McKinley, Ray
maker
Ludwig Drum Company
ID Number
1998.0075.12
accession number
1998.0075
catalog number
1998.0075.12
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
2018.3081.419
catalog number
2018.3081.419
nonaccession number
2018.3081
F. Carlton Booth. side 1: Singing; side 2: Gethsemane (Singspiration 1040), from the album, Singing (Singspiration 4). 78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
F. Carlton Booth. side 1: Singing; side 2: Gethsemane (Singspiration 1040), from the album, Singing (Singspiration 4).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
release date
ca 1947
recording artist
Booth, F. Carlton
manufacturer
Singspiration
ID Number
1996.0320.05025
maker number
1040
4
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05025
This sheet music for the song, "Back to the Old, Old Home" was written by Arthur Lamb and composed by Harry Carson. The music was published by the Thompson Music Company of Chicago, Illinois in 1893.
Description
This sheet music for the song, "Back to the Old, Old Home" was written by Arthur Lamb and composed by Harry Carson. The music was published by the Thompson Music Company of Chicago, Illinois in 1893. The simple cover is white with black bubble lettering, and advertises the song as a “ballad with waltz refrain.”
Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1893
composer
Carson, Harry F.
lyricist
Lamb, Arthur J.
publisher
Thompson Music Company
ID Number
1982.0439.08
catalog number
1982.0439.008
accession number
1982.0439
This player piano roll was made by QRS in Chicago, Illinois, 1920s. It is roll # WF8536– music from Il Travatore (roll 2), by Giuseppe Verdi.Currently not on view
Description
This player piano roll was made by QRS in Chicago, Illinois, 1920s. It is roll # WF8536– music from Il Travatore (roll 2), by Giuseppe Verdi.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1920s
manufacturer
QRS Records
ID Number
MI.71.12.10
accession number
292526
catalog number
71.12.10
maker number
WF8536
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 sheet music is for the song “Lonely Heart,” with words and music by Irene Wicker. It was published by the Pillsbury Flour Mills Company in Chicago, Illinois, in 1936. This song was featured in the NBC radio soap opera Today’s Children, which aired from 1933 to 1950.
Description
This sheet music is for the song “Lonely Heart,” with words and music by Irene Wicker. It was published by the Pillsbury Flour Mills Company in Chicago, Illinois, in 1936. This song was featured in the NBC radio soap opera Today’s Children, which aired from 1933 to 1950. The cover features an image of the cast for Eileen’s Wedding Party. The song was performed by the character, Eileen Moran.
Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1936
ID Number
1983.0830.24
accession number
1983.0830
catalog number
1983.0830.24
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
Red River Dave. side 1: Empty Saddles; side 2: Red River Valley (Sonora 1066), from the album, Songs of the West (Sonora MS 464).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Red River Dave. side 1: Empty Saddles; side 2: Red River Valley (Sonora 1066), from the album, Songs of the West (Sonora MS 464).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1944
recording artist
Red River Dave
manufacturer
Sonora
ID Number
1996.0320.05219
maker number
1066
MS 464
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05219
Ed Durlacher and The Top Hands. side 1: You Did It So Well - So Do It Again; side 2: Back To Back (Sonora 1124), from the album, Country Dances (Sonora MS 479).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Ed Durlacher and The Top Hands. side 1: You Did It So Well - So Do It Again; side 2: Back To Back (Sonora 1124), from the album, Country Dances (Sonora MS 479).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
release date
1946
recording artist
Ed Durlacher and The Top Hands
manufacturer
Sonora
ID Number
1996.0320.05096
maker number
1124
MS 479
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05096
Rex Allen and the Arizona Wranglers. side 1: Honolulu Boogie; side 2: Too-Lee-Rollum (Mercury 6286).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Rex Allen and the Arizona Wranglers. side 1: Honolulu Boogie; side 2: Too-Lee-Rollum (Mercury 6286).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1950
recording artist
Allen, Rex
Arizona Wranglers
manufacturer
Mercury
ID Number
1996.0320.10462
collector/donor number
15741
maker number
6286
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.10462
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1996
ID Number
2016.3009.292
nonaccession number
2016.3009
catalog number
2016.3009.292
This sheet music is for the song, “Looking At the World Thru Rose Colored Glasses,” by Tommy Malie and Jimmy Steiger. It was published by Milton Weil Music Co. in Chicago, Illinois in 1926.
Description
This sheet music is for the song, “Looking At the World Thru Rose Colored Glasses,” by Tommy Malie and Jimmy Steiger. It was published by Milton Weil Music Co. in Chicago, Illinois in 1926. There is an inset image of vaudevillian Corinne Arbuckle on the cover.
Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1926
publisher
Milton Weil Music Co. Inc.
ID Number
1988.0538.03
accession number
1988.0538
catalog number
1988.0538.03
This sheet music is for the song “The Band Played On.” Charles P. Ward composed the music for the song and John F. Palmer wrote the lyrics. The Calumet Music Company of Chicago, Illinois published this sheet music in 1936.
Description (Brief)
This sheet music is for the song “The Band Played On.” Charles P. Ward composed the music for the song and John F. Palmer wrote the lyrics. The Calumet Music Company of Chicago, Illinois published this sheet music in 1936. The black and yellow cover has a black and white image of a man and woman dancing closely. The song’s lyrics described how “Casey would waltz with a strawberry blonde as the band played on.”
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1936
publisher
Calumet Music Company
ID Number
1983.0424.149
accession number
1983.0424
catalog number
1983.0424.149
Red River Dave. side 1: Ole Faithful; side 2: Take Me Back to My Boots and Saddle (Sonora 1065), from the album, Songs of the West (Sonora MS 464).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Red River Dave. side 1: Ole Faithful; side 2: Take Me Back to My Boots and Saddle (Sonora 1065), from the album, Songs of the West (Sonora MS 464).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1944
recording artist
Red River Dave
manufacturer
Sonora
ID Number
1996.0320.05214
maker number
1065
MS 464
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05214
Red River Dave. side 1: Is the Range Still the Same Back Home; side 2: Home on the Range (Sonora 1063), from the album, Songs of the West (Sonora MS 464).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Red River Dave. side 1: Is the Range Still the Same Back Home; side 2: Home on the Range (Sonora 1063), from the album, Songs of the West (Sonora MS 464).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1944
recording artist
Red River Dave
manufacturer
Sonora
ID Number
1996.0320.05216
maker number
1063
MS 464
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05216
Red River Dave. side 1: The Last Round-Up; side 2: Wagon Trail (Sonora 1064), from the album, Songs of the West (Sonora MS 464).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Red River Dave. side 1: The Last Round-Up; side 2: Wagon Trail (Sonora 1064), from the album, Songs of the West (Sonora MS 464).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1944
recording artist
Red River Dave
manufacturer
Sonora
ID Number
1996.0320.05217
maker number
1064
MS 464
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05217
Eddie Chamblee. side 1: Back Street; side 2: Lazy Mood (Miracle 133).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Eddie Chamblee. side 1: Back Street; side 2: Lazy Mood (Miracle 133).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1949
recording artist; composer
Simpkins, Lewis
Chamblee, Eddie
manufacturer
Miracle
ID Number
1996.0153.08692
catalog number
1996.0153.08692
label number
133
accession number
1996.0153
Curley Bradley. side 1: Ridin' Down the Canyon; side 2: Carry Me Back To the Lone Prairie (Universal 7501), from the album, Curley Bradley presents the Tom Mix of Radio (Universal U2).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Curley Bradley. side 1: Ridin' Down the Canyon; side 2: Carry Me Back To the Lone Prairie (Universal 7501), from the album, Curley Bradley presents the Tom Mix of Radio (Universal U2).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
release date
1948
recording artist
Bradley, Curley
manufacturer
Universal
ID Number
1996.0320.05063
maker number
7501
U2
catalog number
1996.0320.05063
accession number
1996.0320
This music roll was made by Mills Novelty Company in Chicago, Illinois, about 1929-1930. It is Roll #2871, playable in a Violano Virtuoso player.
Description (Brief)

This music roll was made by Mills Novelty Company in Chicago, Illinois, about 1929-1930. It is Roll #2871, playable in a Violano Virtuoso player. The tune list for this roll is as follows:

Roll #2871 - Here's Real "Hot News" From Danceland
14197: True Blue (fox trot), Haven Gillespie and Charlie Garland
14198: Good Little Bad Little You (fox trot), Bud Green & Sam Stept
14199: My Angeline (waltz), L. Wolfe Gilbert & Mabel Wayne, copyright 1929, Leo Feist
14200: My Man (Mon Homme) (fox trot), Maurice Yvain, copyright 1929, Leo Feist
14201: Spell O' the Blues (fox trot), Dave Dreyer, Ruby & Johnston, copyright 1928, Irving Berlin

Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1929-1930
maker
Mills Novelty Company
ID Number
MI.73.21
accession number
289515
catalog number
73.21
maker number
2871
This case for a drummer’s throne (Cat. 1988.0075.09) is made from fiberboard, with metal rivets and fittings, webbing, and a plastic handle. It was used by the Ray McKinley band, 1970s-1980s.
Description (Brief)

This case for a drummer’s throne (Cat. 1988.0075.09) is made from fiberboard, with metal rivets and fittings, webbing, and a plastic handle. It was used by the Ray McKinley band, 1970s-1980s. The case is stenciled:

RAY MCKINLEY

American jazz drummer, singer, and bandleader 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
1998.0075.09.01
catalog number
1998.0075.09.01
accession number
1998.0075
This music roll was made by Mills Novelty Company in Chicago, Illinois, about 1926-1927. It is Roll #2594, playable in a Violano Virtuoso player.
Description (Brief)

This music roll was made by Mills Novelty Company in Chicago, Illinois, about 1926-1927. It is Roll #2594, playable in a Violano Virtuoso player. The tune list for this roll is as follows:

Roll #2594 - Hand Played Popular Roll
10858: How Many Times (fox trot), Irving Berlin, copyright 1926, Irving Berlin
10859: Broken Hearted Sue (fox trot), Dailey Paskman, Green & DeRose, copyright 1926, Broadway Music Co.
10860: School Day Sweethearts (waltz), Glen Edwards, copyright 1926, Sherman Clay & Co.
10861: The Pump Song (fox trot), Lerner-Fields & Whiting, copyright 1926, Shapiro Bernstein Co.
10862: Sweet Thing (fox trot), Ralph Williams, Herman Kahn & Joe Verges, copyright 1926, Ted Browne

Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1926-1927
maker
Mills Novelty Company
ID Number
MI.73.15
accession number
289515
catalog number
73.15
maker number
2594

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