Music & Musical Instruments

This drum was made by Latin Percussion Inc. in Garfield, New Jersey, in 1999. It is a Djembe Drum, made of oak, with a metal hoop, and 6 metal tuning lugs.

As indicated in an LP brochure from the period, “The LP Djembe is made of kiln dried, environmentally friendly Siam Oak with a specially matched 12 1/2" diameter goat skin head. As with the LP Galaxy Djembe, this drum produces deep bass tones and crackling highs: all with the convenience of mechanical tuning.

This 25" tall drum can be used in percussion set ups or in addition to congas. Many congueros find this drum to be a great addition to expand their basic conga range.

An LP297 Djembe Mount Kit can be used to attach any djembe to a traditional double conga stand. It is also light enough to play standing with a strap. The LP Djembe is equipped with LP Comfort Curve® II Rims chrome hardware, and a decorative fabric strip around the "waist" of the drum and protective rubber bumper along the bottom rim.”

This drum was made by William A. Pond and Company in New York, New york, in 1863. It is a presentation drum.

Civil War drummer Jacob Booz (1840–1909) was presented this drum in 1863 by officers of his regiment, Company C, 1st New Jersey Volunteers, for recognition of service. The drum is inscribed with 14 of the engagements that Booz participated in. He enlisted in the Civil War on March 22, 1861 and served until he was honorably discharged on June 23, 1864. Jacob Booz re-enlisted on September 2, 1864, and participated in three more engagements. He was honorably discharged on June 30, 1865.

After Jacob Booz's death, his family presented the drum to the State of New Jersey Museum. Woodrow Wilson was governor at that time, and when he became president, the drum was transferred to the Smithsonian in 1917. The drum was originally intended for presentation only, but a vent hole (in the center of the inscription) was added later by Booz, enabling him to actually play the drum, which he used until his death in 1909.

This drum was made by Latin Percussion Inc. in Garfield, New Jersey, in 1999. It is a Galaxy Giovanni Series Conga drum, 11” diameter Quinto, made of ash, with gold-tone metal fittings. This drum is from a matched set of four congas Tumbadora (2000.3030.12.01), Conga (2000.3030.12.02), Quinto (2000.3030.12.03), and Requinto (2000.3030.12.04).

As indicated in an LP brochure from the period, “Hand crafted of premium environmentally friendly North American Ash wood, these 30" tall drums have resonance, attack and warmth found in no other conga. The LP Galaxy Giovanni Series Congas yield commanding bass, rich mid tones and crackling highs with attention getting projection. Each drum is crafted with LP's exclusive construction process using three plies of wood which are assembled utilizing internal steel pins for reinforcement. All of the natural colors and tones of this premium wood shine through the rich, deep gloss finish. These drums are accented by gleaming, gold tone hardware and feature LP's improved patented Extended Collar Comfort Curve® II Rims which increase tonal range. The drums are topped with all-natural hand-picked rawhide heads.”

This drum was made by Remo in Valencia, California, in 1999.

It is a Remo Signature Series conga drum with 13 1/2 inch head, with stylized images of fish, birds, and other small icons around body. This drum is autographed by Mexican American conguero (conga player), Latin jazz band leader, and salsa singer, Poncho Sánchez.

This drum was made by Ludwig Drum Company in Chicago, Illinois, in 1969. It is a Bass Drum, Serial #767580, with a Black Oyster Pearl finish on a laminated wood shell, 20 T-handle rods with separate tension casings and double grip hooks. There is a metal badge on the shell:

LUDWIG USA
767580

(stenciled on the front):

RMcK

This bass drum 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.

This drum was made by Latin Percussion Inc. in Garfield, New Jersey, in 1999. It is a Patato Model drum, 11” diameter Quinto, made of fiberglass, with chrome fittings. This drum is from a matched set of three congas Quinto (2000.3030.13.01), Conga (2000.3030.13.02), and Tumbadora (2000.3030.13.03).

As indicated in an LP brochure from the period, “Played by professional congueros the world over, these fiberglass drums were developed in 1978 after a recording session with the legendary "Patato" at the studio in Martin Cohen's home. Patato's own design required tall drums with a wide belly and small bottom. Standing 30" tall, these drums project deep basstones and great volume without sacrificing crisp, high sounds.”

Carlos Valdés Galán (1926–2007), better known as “Patato,” was a Cuban conga player. In 1954, he emigrated to New York City where he continued his career as a musician for several jazz and Latin music ensembles, and sometimes as a bandleader.

This drum was made by Latin Percussion Inc. in Garfield, New Jersey, in 1999. It is a Galaxy Giovanni Series Conga drum, 9-3/4” diameter Requinto, made of ash, with gold-tone metal fittings. This drum is from a matched set of four congas Tumbadora (2000.3030.12.01), Conga (2000.3030.12.02), Quinto (2000.3030.12.03), and Requinto (2000.3030.12.04).

As indicated in an LP brochure from the period, “Hand crafted of premium environmentally friendly North American Ash wood, these 30" tall drums have resonance, attack and warmth found in no other conga. The LP Galaxy Giovanni Series Congas yield commanding bass, rich mid tones and crackling highs with attention getting projection. Each drum is crafted with LP's exclusive construction process using three plies of wood which are assembled utilizing internal steel pins for reinforcement. All of the natural colors and tones of this premium wood shine through the rich, deep gloss finish. These drums are accented by gleaming, gold tone hardware and feature LP's improved patented Extended Collar Comfort Curve® II Rims which increase tonal range. The drums are topped with all-natural hand-picked rawhide heads.”

This snare drum was made by A. Rogers in Flushing, New York, around 1862-1864. It has a blue-painted shell with a painted eagle design with a banner held in the eagle’s beak inscribed “REG: U.S. INFANTRY,” and two skin heads. There are two red-painted wood hoops drilled with 10 holes each for rope which is laced through leather ears, used to tighten the hoops. The shell is reinforced with brass tacks in a design around the vent hole. There is a printed label inside the shell that is inscribed:

MANUFACTURED
BY
A. ROGERS,
FLUSHING, L.I.

A. Rogers was one of many drum makers which were granted contracts to produce drums for the Army. This drum, like many of the era, most likely was an Army surplus drum as it lacks any specific regiment markings.

This drum was made by Latin Percussion Inc. in Garfield, New Jersey, in 1999. It is a Patato Model drum, 11-1/2” diameter Conga, made of fiberglass, with chrome fittings. This drum is from a matched set of three congas Quinto (2000.3030.13.01), Conga (2000.3030.13.02), and Tumbadora (2000.3030.13.03).

As indicated in an LP brochure from the period, “Played by professional congueros the world over, these fiberglass drums were developed in 1978 after a recording session with the legendary "Patato" at the studio in Martin Cohen's home. Patato's own design required tall drums with a wide belly and small bottom. Standing 30" tall, these drums project deep basstones and great volume without sacrificing crisp, high sounds.”

Carlos Valdés Galán (1926–2007), better known as “Patato,” was a Cuban conga player. In 1954, he emigrated to New York City where he continued his career as a musician for several jazz and Latin music ensembles, and sometimes as a bandleader.

This drum was made by Ludwig Drum Company in Chicago, Illinois, in 1969. It is a Floor Tom Tom, Serial #764518, with a wood ply shell with a Black Diamond Pearl finish, flanged metal hoops, and 16 key tension self-aligning separate tension lugs. There is a metal badge on the shell:

LUDWIG USA
764518

This floor tom tom 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.

This drum was made by an unknown maker, provenance unknown, 1980s. It is a Talking Drum, made of wood carved in an hourglass shape, with two drumheads, connected by cords, and two wooden curved beaters. Previously used by Afro-Latin jazz percussionist Ramon "Mongo" Santamaría.

Ramón "Mongo" Santamaría Rodríguez (1917–2003) was a Cuban percussionist and bandleader who spent most of his career in the United States. Primarily a conga drummer, Santamaría was a leading figure in the pachanga and boogaloo dance crazes of the 1960s. From the 1970s, he recorded mainly salsa and Latin jazz, before retiring in the late 1990s. Santamaria made several recordings as a leader of his own group, as well as a sideman with Fania All-Stars, Tito Puente, Dizzy Gillespie, and Ray Charles.

This field drum was made by A. Rogers in Flushing, New York, around 1862-1864. It has a blue-painted shell with a painted eagle design with a banner held in the eagle’s beak inscribed “REG: U.S. INFANTRY,” and two skin heads. There are two red-painted wood hoops drilled with 10 holes each for rope which is laced through leather ears, used to tighten the hoops. The shell is reinforced with brass tacks in a design around the vent hole. There is a printed label inside the shell that is inscribed:

MANUFACTURED
BY
A. ROGERS,
FLUSHING, L.I.

A. Rogers was one of many drum makers which were granted contracts to produce drums for the Army. This drum, like many of the era, most likely was an Army surplus drum as it lacks any specific regiment markings.

This snare drum was made by Leedy Drum Company in Chicago, Illinois, around 1900-1910. It has a plated metal shell with a metal center ridge, and skin heads. The hoops are made of metal and have 6 tensioning rods that hook over the hoops and are attached at two points on the hoop. There is a metal screw type snare device to adjust the gut snares, with a metal lever to activate the snares. There is an oval label on the top hoop that is inscribed:

LEEDY DRUM CO.
CHICAGO

This drum was likely sold through musical instruments dealers such as William F. and Theo Ludwig, one of the exclusive Leedy sales agents in Chicago. Around 1929, Conn acquired both Leedy and Ludwig and moved the manufacture of Leedy drums to Elkhart, Indiana.

This drum was used by William T. Armstrong (1879-1965), orchestra leader and musician in vaudeville and silent film theaters. Armstrong grew up in South River, New Jersey and began playing drums at the age of 14. He continued his musical career through the mid-1910s, after which, Armstrong began work in banking and finance. This artifact is part of a collection of drums, sound effect instruments, and other percussion instruments used by Armstrong.

This snare drum was made by Blair and Baldwin in Boston, Massachusetts, around 1892-1893. It has a wood shell and skin heads. The hoops are made of wood and have 12 sets of metal hooks for rope which is laced through leather and metal tensioning ears. The drum has a gut snare and a leather carrying strap. There is a printed label inside the shell that inscribed:

BLAIR AND BOSTON
Brighton district
BOSTON, MASS.

This drum was used by William T. Armstrong (1879-1965), orchestra leader and musician in vaudeville and silent film theaters. Armstrong grew up in South River, New Jersey and began playing drums at the age of 14. He continued his musical career through the mid-1910s, after which, Armstrong began work in banking and finance. This artifact is part of a collection of drums, sound effect instruments, and other percussion instruments used by Armstrong.