Browse Items (72 total)

Nat Towles was a prominent big band leader in Omaha during the 1940s and 1950s.

This is a promotional photo for the Nat Towles Orchestra, a well-known territory band that performed throughout the Midwest. In 1934, Nat Towles moved to Omaha and played the Dreamland Ballroom and other local venues through the 1950s. For…

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 a photograph of native Omahan Preston Love, Sr. and his Orchestra in 1954. In 1954 they played backup for the popular jazz band, The Clovers, at The Dreamland Ballroom in North Omaha.

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.

The "Savoy Seven," with bandleader Basie Givens, at The Music Box in Omaha, Nebraska.

This photograph shows Sonny Thompson and Band performing at The Dreamland Ballroom in 1951. For interviews and oral histories of this and other items please visit the History Harvest YouTube Channel.

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…

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…