Browse Items (179 total)

This photo shows Ralph Orduna being interviewed by a television journalist in Chicago at Midway Airport in 1981. Behind them is a P-51 Mustang fighter jet, the same kind of aircraft Orduna flew in combat during World War II. Mr. Orduna’s son…

A couple swing dance to the music of Big Jay McNeely and his Band while they performed at the Dreamland Ballroom in 1952. The Dreamland Ballroom located in the heart of North Omaha was a music venue that provided an opportunity for many couples to…

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 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 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 head-shot of Anna Mae Winburn, a former resident of North Omaha, who was the lead singer for the girls' group, The International Sweethearts of Rhythm. The International Sweethearts of Rhythm performed their jazz and Big Band hits at The…

An unidentified woman standing outside of The Dreamland Ballroom located at 2221 North 24th Street in Omaha, Nebraska. The Dreamland Ballroom was located on the second floor of the Jewel Building and was a popular music venue during the 1940s and…

This 1917 “cabaret song hit”, was written and composed by Maceo Pinkard of “Sweet Georgia Brown” fame. Janice Cleary who owns this amazing collection, informs us Pinkard was a booking agent in Omaha before he moved on to New…

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

Anna Mae Winburn, an Omaha native, became the featured singer for the Sweethearts of Rhythm, an influential early group for female musicians.