Browse Items (32 total)

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

This photograph of Walter Barnes shown with a clarinet, was known as "Chicago's King of Dance Rhythm." He performed at venues like The Dreamland Ballroom with his "nationally famous" Royal Creolians.

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.

This is a photograph of James Moody playing tenor sax with the Dizzy Gillespie Band at the Dreamland Ballroom in 1948. The Dizzy Gillespie Band, and other popular jazz and big band musicians brought a large crowds to The Dreamland Ballroom in North…

This is a signed promotional photograph of Andy Kirk and His 12 Clouds of Joy, a nationally known jazz and swing band. The inscription reads: Sincere Wishes To a real promoter and friend Andy Kirk For interviews and oral histories of this and…

This photograph shows the legendary Dizzy Gillespie (standing) and his band playing at The Dreamland Ballroom in North Omaha in the summer of 1948. For interviews and oral histories of this and other items please visit the History Harvest YouTube…

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 a photo of Dizzy Gillespie playing at The Dreamland Ballroom in the summer of 1948. Dizzy Gillespie was a legendary bebop and jazz trumpet player and toured nationally beginning in the mid-1940s and continuing for decades later. For…

This is a promotional photo of legendary jazz trumpeter and singer Louis Armstrong, Armstrong addressed the photo to Jimmy Jewell, owner of the Dreamland Ballroom. The inscription reads: My Best wishesTo “Jimmy” A “Fine…

This photograph shows Earl Bostic performing to a packed crowd at the Dreamland Ballroom in North Omaha. For interviews and oral histories of this and other items please visit the History Harvest YouTube Channel.