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 Patron badge is from the Los Angeles Classic Jazz Festival, in 1994. The button is a made of speckled gold paper with black lettering covered with a clear film, on a round two-piece metal button with a pin back. There is a black ribbon attached to the back of the button.
Description

This Patron badge is from the Los Angeles Classic Jazz Festival, in 1994. The button is a made of speckled gold paper with black lettering covered with a clear film, on a round two-piece metal button with a pin back. There is a black ribbon attached to the back of the button. The button is printed:

LOS ANGELES
CLASSIC
JAZZ
FLOYD
LEVIN
FESTIVAL
1994

(the ribbon is printed):

PATRON

Floyd Levin (1922-2007) was a Los Angeles textile manufacturer who turned his passion for jazz into a second career as an influential jazz journalist and historian. His numerous reviews, profiles, and articles were published in magazines such as Down Beat, Jazz Journal International, Metronome, and American Rag. He also authored Classic Jazz: A Personal View of the Music and the Musicians. Items in this collection (2011.3086) were acquired from Levin’s attendance at Jazz Festivals, conferences, and other music events.

Location
Currently not on view
date made
1994
user
Levin, Floyd
ID Number
2011.3086.130
nonaccession number
2011.3086
catalog number
2011.0386.130
Laurindo Almeida. Guitar From Ipanema (Capitol T-2197).33-1/3 rpmCurrently not on view
Description (Brief)
Laurindo Almeida. Guitar From Ipanema (Capitol T-2197).
33-1/3 rpm
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1964
recording artist
Almeida, Laurindo
manufacturer
Capitol
ID Number
1978.0670.802
maker number
T-2197
accession number
1978.0670
catalog number
1978.0670.802
Cliffie Stone. side 1: Bake Them Hoecakes Brown; side 2: The Gal I Ledt Behind Me (Capitol 20100). from the album, Square Dances (Capitol BD 44).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Cliffie Stone. side 1: Bake Them Hoecakes Brown; side 2: The Gal I Ledt Behind Me (Capitol 20100). from the album, Square Dances (Capitol BD 44).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1947
recording artist
Stone, Cliffie
maker
Capitol
ID Number
1989.0207.17
accession number
1989.0207
catalog number
1989.0207.17
maker number
20100
BD-44
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
Working on assignment, Henry Horenstein photographed EmmyLou Harris (b. 1947) at her home. In the 1970s, Harris represented the generation of musicians who were influenced by traditional country, rock, and folk music.
Description
Working on assignment, Henry Horenstein photographed EmmyLou Harris (b. 1947) at her home. In the 1970s, Harris represented the generation of musicians who were influenced by traditional country, rock, and folk music. Over the years, Harris has had a profound impact on contemporary popular and country music.
Location
Currently not on view
negative
1980
print
2003
maker
Horenstein, Henry
ID Number
2003.0169.034
accession number
2003.0169
catalog number
2003.0169.034
J. Stratton Shufelt. side 1: Overshadowed; side 2: The Old Ship Zion (Fellowship Music FM 019/020), from the album, Strat Sings (Fellowship Music 1).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
J. Stratton Shufelt. side 1: Overshadowed; side 2: The Old Ship Zion (Fellowship Music FM 019/020), from the album, Strat Sings (Fellowship Music 1).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording artist
Shufelt, J. Stratton
manufacturer
Fellowship Music
ID Number
1996.0320.05267
maker number
FM 019/020
FM 1
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05267
Oak Ridge Quartet. side 1: No Tears in Heaven; side 2: Old Time Religion (Capitol 48023), from the album, Songs from The Grand Ole Opry (Capitol AD 86).78 rpm.The cover art for this album was made by Carlos Andreson.
Description

Oak Ridge Quartet. side 1: No Tears in Heaven; side 2: Old Time Religion (Capitol 48023), from the album, Songs from The Grand Ole Opry (Capitol AD 86).
78 rpm.

The cover art for this album was made by Carlos Andreson. Andreson, also as Anderson, (1905-1978) was an American painter, lithographer, and teacher. A native of Salt Lake City, Utah, Andreson studied at the University of Utah, then subsequently in Los Angeles, New York, Paris, and Berlin. In 1933, Andreson returned to the United States, creating paintings and drawings of early pioneer life for the Works Progress Administration (WPA) and teaching at Utah Arts Center. After the start of WWII, Anderson was commissioned by Abbott Laboratories to paint medical subjects at the stateside Naval hospitals. Andreson moved to San Francisco after the war where he produced artwork for the Oakland Army Base.

Location
Currently not on view
release date
1948
recording artist
Oak Ridge Quartet
manufacturer
Capitol
ID Number
1996.0320.05119
maker number
48023
AD 86
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05119
Album cover for Square Dances (Capitol BD-44).78 rpm. 4-disc set (includes 1989.0207.15 - .18)Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Album cover for Square Dances (Capitol BD-44).
78 rpm. 4-disc set (includes 1989.0207.15 - .18)
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1947
recording artist
Stone, Cliffie
manufacturer
Capitol
ID Number
1989.0207.19
accession number
1989.0207
catalog number
1989.0207.19
maker number
BD-44
The Reivers. side 1: In Your Eyes; side 2: In Your Eyes (Capitol B-44091)45 rpm. Accessioned with original printed sleeve.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
The Reivers. side 1: In Your Eyes; side 2: In Your Eyes (Capitol B-44091)
45 rpm. Accessioned with original printed sleeve.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1987
manufacturer
Capitol
ID Number
1996.3034.06434
label number
B-44091
nonaccession number
1996.3034
catalog number
1996.3034.06434
Tex Ritter. side 1: I Love My Rooster; side 2: Texas Rangers (Capitol 20038). from the album, Children's Songs and Stories (Capitol BD-14).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Tex Ritter. side 1: I Love My Rooster; side 2: Texas Rangers (Capitol 20038). from the album, Children's Songs and Stories (Capitol BD-14).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
release date
1945
recording artist
Ritter, Tex
manufacturer
Capitol
ID Number
1996.0320.05224
maker number
20038
BD-14
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05224
This pressbook is for the 1958 Warner Bros. musical film Damn Yankees, directed by George Abbott and Stanley Donen and starred Gwen Verdon, Tab Hunter, and Ray Walston.
Description
This pressbook is for the 1958 Warner Bros. musical film Damn Yankees, directed by George Abbott and Stanley Donen and starred Gwen Verdon, Tab Hunter, and Ray Walston. This pressbook was distributed to movie theater owners for the purchase of posters and other material as marketing tools for promotion of this movie.
Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1958
performing artist; depicted
Verdon, Gwen
publisher
Warner Brothers
ID Number
1986.0370.10
accession number
1986.0370
catalog number
1986.0370.10
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1986
recording artist
Steve Miller Band
manufacturer
Capitol
ID Number
1996.3034.05323
label number
B-5704
nonaccession number
1996.3034
catalog number
1996.3034.05323
This button is from the Los Angeles Classic Jazz Festival, in 1985. The button is a made of yellow paper with black and red lettering covered with a clear film, on a round two-piece metal button with a pin back.
Description

This button is from the Los Angeles Classic Jazz Festival, in 1985. The button is a made of yellow paper with black and red lettering covered with a clear film, on a round two-piece metal button with a pin back. The button is printed:

LOS ANGELES
CLASSIC
JAZZ
FESTIVAL
1985

Floyd Levin (1922-2007) was a Los Angeles textile manufacturer who turned his passion for jazz into a second career as an influential jazz journalist and historian. His numerous reviews, profiles, and articles were published in magazines such as Down Beat, Jazz Journal International, Metronome, and American Rag. He also authored Classic Jazz: A Personal View of the Music and the Musicians. Items in this collection (2011.3086) were acquired from Levin’s attendance at Jazz Festivals, conferences, and other music events.

Location
Currently not on view
date made
1985
user
Levin, Floyd
ID Number
2011.3086.010
nonaccession number
2011.3086
catalog number
2011.3086.010
This resonator guitar was made by Dobro in Los Angeles, California around 1933-1937. The name originated in 1928 when the Dopyera brothers formed the Dobro Manufacturing Company.
Description

This resonator guitar was made by Dobro in Los Angeles, California around 1933-1937. The name originated in 1928 when the Dopyera brothers formed the Dobro Manufacturing Company. "Dobro" is both a contraction of "Dopyera brothers" and a word meaning "goodness" in their native Slovak. This six course (6x1) guitar has a squared-off neck with raised strings for Hawaiian-style playing.

This guitar features U. S. Patent #1,896,484 dated February 7, 1933 by John Dopyera for a musical instrument with a conical metal resonator.

Frederick John Wright (1926-1985) was a classic amateur country music performer. He was born in Detroit, Michigan and a year later, his family moved to Toronto, Canada. In 1938, a door to door salesman offered a Dobro guitar with lessons for $5.00 per week, for thirteen weeks. Fred played this guitar and with his father entertained veterans in hospitals in the Toronto area. In 1947, Fred returned to the United States with his treasured guitar.

Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1933-1937
maker
Dobro
ID Number
1989.0660.01
catalog number
1989.0660.01
accession number
1989.0660
This Patron badge is from the Los Angeles Classic Sweet & Hot Music Festival, in 1999. It made of green paper with black and yellow ink, encapsulated in plastic.
Description

This Patron badge is from the Los Angeles Classic Sweet & Hot Music Festival, in 1999. It made of green paper with black and yellow ink, encapsulated in plastic. The badge is printed:

[foundation logo]
THE LOS ANGELES
SWEET & HOT
MUSIC FESTIVAL
Patron
1999.

Founded in 1996, The Sweet & Hot Music Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the music of the 1920s through 50s. The foundation produces an annual event in Los Angeles which support jazz education programs for Los Angeles area high school students.

The foundation also honors legends in classic jazz by placing permanent bronze plaques with their names, in the ground surrounding the pool and garden area at the Los Angeles Airport Marriott Hotel. Known as the “Sweet & Hot Music Walk of Fame,” it features jazz greats Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, George Gershwin and Benny Goodman, Cole Porter, Lionel Hampton and Billie Holiday.

Floyd Levin (1922-2007) was a Los Angeles textile manufacturer who turned his passion for jazz into a second career as an influential jazz journalist and historian. His numerous reviews, profiles, and articles were published in magazines such as Down Beat, Jazz Journal International, Metronome, and American Rag. He also authored Classic Jazz: A Personal View of the Music and the Musicians. Items in this collection (2011.3086) were acquired from Levin’s attendance at Jazz Festivals, conferences, and other music events.

Location
Currently not on view
date made
1999
user
Levin, Floyd
ID Number
2011.3086.065
nonaccession number
2011.3086
catalog number
2011.3086.065
This souvenir program is from the 1945 Broadway revival of the operetta The Red Mill, written by Victor Herbert, original book and lyrics by Henry Blossom, additional lyrics by Forman Brown, and new orchestrations and dance arrangements by Edward Ward.
Description (Brief)
This souvenir program is from the 1945 Broadway revival of the operetta The Red Mill, written by Victor Herbert, original book and lyrics by Henry Blossom, additional lyrics by Forman Brown, and new orchestrations and dance arrangements by Edward Ward. This production was produced by Paula Stone and Hunt Stromberg, Jr.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1945
associated person
Herbert, Victor
ID Number
1983.0424.186
accession number
1983.0424
catalog number
1983.0424.186
Carl Myles. side 1: Bird in the Cage; side 2: Sally Goodin (Imperial 1079), from the album, Square Dance (Imperial FD-15).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Carl Myles. side 1: Bird in the Cage; side 2: Sally Goodin (Imperial 1079), from the album, Square Dance (Imperial FD-15).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
release date
1940s
recording artist
Myles, Carl
manufacturer
Imperial
ID Number
1996.0320.05194
maker number
1079
FD-15
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05194
Tex Ritter. side 1: The Phantom White Stallion of Skull Valley; side 2: The Wreck of Number Nine (Capitol 20039), from the album, Children's Songs and Stories (Capitol BD-14).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Tex Ritter. side 1: The Phantom White Stallion of Skull Valley; side 2: The Wreck of Number Nine (Capitol 20039), from the album, Children's Songs and Stories (Capitol BD-14).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
release date
1945
recording artist
Ritter, Tex
manufacturer
Capitol
ID Number
1996.0320.05225
maker number
20039
BD-14
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05225
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
2016.0032.082
accession number
2016.0032
catalog number
2016.0032.082
Cliffie Stone. side 1: Soldier's Joy; side 2: Special Instructions for Square Dancing (Capitol 20098), from the album, Square Dances (Capitol BD 44).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Cliffie Stone. side 1: Soldier's Joy; side 2: Special Instructions for Square Dancing (Capitol 20098), from the album, Square Dances (Capitol BD 44).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
release date
1947
recording artist
Cliffie Stone and his Square Dance Band
manufacturer
Capitol
ID Number
1996.0320.05293
maker number
20098
BD 44
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05293
The Dinning Sisters. side 1: Aunt Hagar's Blue; side 2: Where Or When (Capitol 20018),from the album, Songs of the Dinning Sisters (Capitol B-D 7).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
The Dinning Sisters. side 1: Aunt Hagar's Blue; side 2: Where Or When (Capitol 20018),from the album, Songs of the Dinning Sisters (Capitol B-D 7).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
release date
1945
recording artist
Dinning Sisters
manufacturer
Capitol
ID Number
1996.0320.05087
maker number
20018
B-D 7
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05087
Fanny Brice. side 1: Cleaniness; side 2: Good and Bad (Capitol 7-32023), from the album, Baby Snooks (Capitol DC 3081).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Fanny Brice. side 1: Cleaniness; side 2: Good and Bad (Capitol 7-32023), from the album, Baby Snooks (Capitol DC 3081).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
release date
1949
recording artist
Brice, Fanny
manufacturer
Capitol
ID Number
1996.0320.05059
maker number
7-32023
DC 3081
catalog number
1996.0320.05059
accession number
1996.0320
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1962
ID Number
2016.0032.098
accession number
2016.0032
catalog number
2016.0032.098
Cliffie Stone. side 1: Soldier's Joy; side 2: Special Instructions for Square Dancing (Capitol 20098). from the album, Square Dances (Capitol BD 44).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Cliffie Stone. side 1: Soldier's Joy; side 2: Special Instructions for Square Dancing (Capitol 20098). from the album, Square Dances (Capitol BD 44).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1947
recording artist
Cliffie Stone and his Square Dance Band
maker
Capitol
ID Number
1989.0207.15
accession number
1989.0207
catalog number
1989.0207.15
maker number
20098
BD-44

Our collection database is a work in progress. We may update this record based on further research and review. Learn more about our approach to sharing our collection online.

If you would like to know how you can use content on this page, see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use. If you need to request an image for publication or other use, please visit Rights and Reproductions.