This case was made by an unknown maker in the United States, in the 1950s. It is a conga drum case, made of fiberboard, with metal rivets and handle, black webbing, and foam lining. Accessioned with conga drum (Cat. #1998.0355.02). This conga drum case was used by Nick Reynolds (1933-2008) of The Kingston Trio.
This clarinet case was made by Selmer in France, 1950s. It is made of wood, covered in black-stained leather, with metal fittings, and red plush interior, and a cast metal "Selmer" badge on the outside of the case. The handle was missing at the time of acquisition. Accessioned with Selmer clarinet used by Paquito D’Rivera (2005.0086.01).
Cuban-born jazz clarinetist, Paquito D’Rivera acquired this clarinet in the late 1950s and continued to use it until he donated the clarinet to the museum in 2005. D-Rivera has received several awards and honors, including twelve Grammys, NEA Jazz Masters, Kennedy Center Living Jazz Legend award, and a National Medal of the Arts in 2005.
This dulcimer case was said to have been made by Paul Arnoldi, a friend and folksinger of Richard Fariña. It is a custom-made case, made of wood covered in beige and gray and teal vinyl, with metal fittings, and a leather handle. Accessioned with Fariña dulcimer (2001.0143.01).
The Widex Hearing Aid Co. was established in Denmark in 1956 and donated this hearing aid to the Smithsonian in 1998. It’s a Senso 100% Digital CIC (completely in the canal) device.
This case for a tom tom (Cat. 1988.0075.08) 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.
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.
This cigarette case was presented to Duke Ellington in 1952. It is made of Sterling silver, engraved on the outside with names and map of United States. The Interior is gold-plated with an engraved spring holder tab. Accessioned with a yellow fleece sleeve with brown thread trim and bearing Marshall Field & Company tag. The engraved names are as follows: Lena Horne, Billy Eckstine, Cab Calloway, Louis Jordan, Mahalia Jackson, Joe Louis, Nat Cole, Jackie Robinson, and Sarah Vaughan. Previously owned by jazz musician and composer, Duke Ellington. The case is engraved:
Duke Ellington: For outstanding contribution to world culture and your significant worth to and championship of your race Chicago. January 1952.
This case for stands and accessories (1998.0075.05.01, 1998.0075.06.01, 1998.0075.07.01, 1998.0075.10.01, 1998.0075.11, 1998.0075.12, 1998.0075.13, 1998.0075.14, 1998.0075.15, 1998.0075.16, and 1998.0075.17) is made from fiberboard, with metal rivets, corners and fittings, webbing, and a leather covered 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.
This trumpet case was made by Yamaha Corporation, 1990s. It is made of wood, covered with black vinyl and black vinyl trim, metal fittings, and black plush interior. Accessioned with Severinsen-Akright trumpet (2002.0218.01).
Adolphus Anthony “Doc” Cheatham (1905-1997), first learned to play saxophone as well as trumpet. Early in his career, Cheatham performed with the African American Vaudeville theater in Nashville. Around 1924, Cheatham moved to Chicago where he heard trumpeters King Oliver and Louis Armstrong, both would have a lifelong influence on Cheatham’s playing.
Cheatham performed with several jazz musicians including Benny Carter, Fletcher Henderson, and Benny Goodman throughout the 1930s to the 1960s. In the 1970s, Cheatham worked to improve his playing by recording and listening to himself. After the age of 70, Cheatham’s self-assessment work would result in him receiving his best acclamations and critical reviews.