Browse Items (72 total)

This “1917 Jazz Band Sensation” is an instrumental song composed by Maceo Pinkard of “Sweet Georgia Brown” fame. Janice Cleary, who owns this amazing collection, informed us that Pinkard was a booking agent in Omaha before he…

This is an Omaha Star advertisement for the Off Beat Supper Club. The club showcased exotic dancers, interpretive dancers, and blues. For interviews and oral histories of this and other items please visit the History Harvest YouTube Channel.

This is an advertisement for the Carnation Lounge that was placed in the Omaha Star newspaper. The musical entertainment was provided by Chuck Willis and his Orchestra. Their songs included "It's Too Late," "Kansas City Woman," and "Jaunita." The…

This collage features several advertisements for music events in North Omaha. The musicians and bands pictured include Duke Ellington, Anna Mae Winburn and her International Sweethearts of Rhythm, Preston Love, and Count Basie. The events took place…

This is a collage of music and theater events in North Omaha. They include a performance of the play A Raisin in the Sun and an event at the Offbeat Supper Club called the "1954 Blues Parade." For interviews and oral histories of this and other…

This is an newspaper advertisement for the Carnation Ballroom in North Omaha. The Carnation Ballroom was hosting a Sepia Pageant Dance and Floor Show. The entertainment was provided by Roy Brown and his Mighty, Mighty Men. For interviews and oral…

This is a publicity shot for The Clovers, a popular jazz band who played the Dreamland Ballroom in 1954. Native Omahan, Preston Love, Sr.'s band played backup for The Clovers at the dance that night. For interviews and oral histories of this and…

Patricia Barron's father, Basie Givens, led a succession of popular jazz bands during the 1950s and 1960s. His first band, The Jungle Rhythm Boys, was formed with friends in the 1930s. The bandmembers are shown with their homemade and hand-me-down…

Ruth Brown, a popular jazz , pop and R&B musician, shown here performing at the Dreamland Ballroom, ca. 1949. Ruth Brown was one of many popular musicians to play at the Dreamland Ballroom during the 1940s and 1950s.

This photograph shows The Lucky Millinder Orchestra performing popular Big Band and jazz music at the Dreamland Ballroom, ca. 1948. Performances such as The Lucky Millinder Orchestra drew large crowds at The Dreamland Ballroom during the 1940s and…