Oral History - all
Birth Date: September 12, 1924
Deceased Date: October 16, 1999
This audio only interview was conducted for a radio program by Dan Del Fiorentino and donated to the NAMM Oral History program: Ella Mae Morse was a vocalist for Jimmy Dorsey's Orchestra when she was just 14 years old. She went on to sing with Freddie Slack with whom she recorded a string of hits... more
Birth Date: May 9, 1912
Deceased Date: February 13, 2001
This audio only interview was conducted for a radio program by Dan Del Fiorentino and donated to the NAMM Oral History program: George T. Simon was a journalist and historian who documented the history of the swing era! In a series of best-selling books, George recounted the glory days of the Big... more
Birth Date: February 22, 1913
Deceased Date: February 10, 2001
This audio only interview was conducted for a radio program by Dan Del Fiorentino and donated to the NAMM Oral History program: Buddy Tate was a leading saxophonist during the Big Band Era. Buddy played with such celebrated jazz bands as Andy Kirk, Count Basie, and Lionel Hampton. Beginning in 1947... more
Birth Date: November 14, 1915
Deceased Date: December 8, 2006
This audio only interview was conducted for a radio program by Dan Del Fiorentino and donated to the NAMM Oral History program: Martha Tilton was a famous singer during the Big Band Era best known for her vocals on the Benny Goodman hit record "And The Angels Sing." Known as The Liltin' Martha... more
Birth Date: September 15, 1910
Deceased Date: February 23, 1999
This audio only interview was conducted for a radio program by Dan Del Fiorentino and donated to the NAMM Oral History program: Stanley Dance was the noted jazz historian who wrote several Grammy nominated liner notes as well as books and magazine articles over his long career. He began writing for... more
Birth Date: November 27, 1914
Deceased Date: February 4, 2005
This audio only interview was conducted for a radio program by Dan Del Fiorentino and donated to the NAMM Oral History program: Warren Vaché Sr. was a jazz bassist and author whose son, Warren Vache Jr., is a noted jazz cornetist. Warren started out on drums but was asked to switch to bass as there... more
Birth Date: July 19, 1916
Deceased Date: January 16, 1996
This audio only interview was conducted for a radio program by Dan Del Fiorentino and donated to the NAMM Oral History program: Ernie Heckscher is perhaps best known for leading a society style orchestra during the Big Band Era. His smooth arrangements were perfect for hotel ballrooms that catered... more
Birth Date: September 13, 1918
Deceased Date: April 6, 2015
This audio only interview was conducted for a radio program by Dan Del Fiorentino and donated to the NAMM Oral History program: Ray Charles, or as he called himself "The Other Ray Charles" was a choral director whose choir backed such singers as Perry Como and Bing Crosby. Ray enjoyed a successful... more
Birth Date: January 7, 1935
Deceased Date: December 12, 2006
This audio only interview was conducted for a radio program by Dan Del Fiorentino and donated to the NAMM Oral History program: Kenny Davern was just a kid when he heard Pee Wee Russell play and it was a moment that changed Kenny's life. Learning the clarinet, he focused on Dixieland Jazz, like his... more
Birth Date: July 28, 1936
Deceased Date: December 30, 2014
This audio only interview was conducted for a radio program by Dan Del Fiorentino and donated to the NAMM Oral History program: Jim Galloway was born in Scotland and later relocated to Canada where he played a vital role in expanding the popularity of jazz in Toronto and other large cities. His Wee... more
Birth Date: August 26, 1912
Deceased Date: December 13, 2001
This audio only interview was conducted for a radio program by Dan Del Fiorentino and donated to the NAMM Oral History program: Chuck Foster was a bandleader's bandleader! During the Big Band Era of the 1930s and 40s, Chuck promoted radio and live performances of up and coming musicians and singers... more
Birth Date: September 20, 1911
Deceased Date: October 27, 1999
This audio only interview was conducted for a radio program by Dan Del Fiorentino and donated to the NAMM Oral History program: Frank De Vol was a noted arranger who took jazz to television and the movies and incorporated top musicians within Hollywood studio work whenever he could. Frank began... more
Birth Date: February 2, 1912
Deceased Date: January 5, 1997
This audio only interview was conducted for a radio program by Dan Del Fiorentino and donated to the NAMM Oral History program: Burton Lane studied classical music in New York and had the opportunity to listen to George Gershwin playing the piano at his family home while still a teenager. The... more
Birth Date: March 20, 1913
Deceased Date: July 26, 2002
This audio only interview was conducted for a radio program by Dan Del Fiorentino and donated to the NAMM Oral History program: Kenny Gardner was a popular vocalist during the Big Band Era who witnessed firsthand the power of music uniting generations of dancers during the golden age of swing.... more
Birth Date: March 9, 1926
Deceased Date: January 24, 2015
This audio only interview was conducted for a radio program by Dan Del Fiorentino and donated to the NAMM Oral History program: Joe Franklin was a music historian who had a series of radio and television shows including two on New York TV that ran from 1951-1993! Joe was a good guy, funny, and full... more
Birth Date: March 28, 1915
Deceased Date: October 17, 2001
This audio only interview was conducted for a radio program by Dan Del Fiorentino and donated to the NAMM Oral History program: Jay Livingston happily wrote the music to accompany the lyrics of his lifelong friend, Ray Evans. They wrote three Oscar winning songs along with the Christmas classic "... more
Birth Date: February 4, 1915
Deceased Date: February 15, 2007
This audio only interview was conducted for a radio program by Dan Del Fiorentino and donated to the NAMM Oral History program: Ray Evans was an Oscar winning songwriter who penned tunes for jazz and pop artists as well as for television and film. Teamed often with his lifelong friend Jay... more
Birth Date: January 20, 1921
Deceased Date: September 22, 2008
This audio only interview was conducted for a radio program by Dan Del Fiorentino and donated to the NAMM Oral History program: Connie Haines was a noted singer during the Big Band Era. When auditioning for an engagement with the Harry James Orchestra, the famed bandleader and trumpeter liked her... more
Hubert Laws Jr. is an American flutist and saxophonist with a rich family history in the music industry. Specializing in jazz and classical, Hubert started playing the flute in high school and eventually attend the Juilliard School of Music on a scholarship in 1960. With credits like playing in the... more
David Brown grew up in the music industry working with his grandfather at his store, Critchett’s Music in Des Moines, Iowa. Dave started at a young age, first washing windows in the back of the store until he was encouraged, by his grandfather, to go on the road selling pianos and eventually he... more