NMAAHC Collections Search

Trumpet owned by Louis Armstrong

Created by: Henri Selmer Paris, French, founded 1885; Vincent Bach Corporation, American, founded 1918
Owned by: Armstrong, Louis, American, 1901 - 1971

Medium: brass
Dimensions: H x W: 5 3/4 x 21 7/8 x 4 3/4 in. (14.6 x 55.6 x 12.1 cm)

Type: musical instruments; trumpets

Date: September 1946

Caption: This 1946 Henri Selmer B-flat custom-made and inscribed trumpet belonged to Louis Armstrong. Armstrong had been playing an earlier version of a Selmer trumpet since 1932. Even though he believed you could play a trumpet for a long time, he had the habit of playing his trumpets for approximately five years before he passed it on as a gift to a friend or colleague. In February 1946, Armstrong’s manager and close friend, Joe Glaser, wrote to Selmer Instrument Company and asked for a new trumpet custom-made for Armstrong’s use. Selmer agreed and presented him with this inscribed Selmer B-flat trumpet. This personally inscribed trumpet was made only for Armstrong and was not mass produced.

Topic: African American; Jazz (Music)

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number: 2008.16.1-.3

Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Musical Instruments

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Hammond B-3 organ owned by James Brown

Manufactured by: Hammond Suzuki USA, Inc., American, founded 1934; Trek II Products, Inc., American
Owned by: Brown, James, American, 1933 - 2006

Medium: vinyl, wood, metal
Dimensions: H x W: 40 x 50 x 30 in. (101.6 x 127 x 76.2 cm)

Type: electronic organs; musical instruments

Place made: Illinois, United States, North and Central America

Date: 1968

Topic: African American; Funk (Music); Soul (Music)

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number: 2008.7.1.1abc

Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Musical Instruments
On View: National Museum of American History (14th St & Constitution), National Museum of American History, NMAH East Wing, 2nd Floor, Room 2200

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Signed guitar and case owned by James Brown

Manufactured by: Epiphone Guitar Corp., American, founded 1873; TKL Products Corp., American, founded 1984
Owned by: Brown, James, American, 1933 - 2006

Medium: Guitar: maple, spruce, rosewood, metal, plastic, paper, ink Guitar case: plastic, metal, cloth
Dimensions: guitar: 41 1/2 × 16 3/4 × 4 7/8 in. (105.4 × 42.5 × 12.4 cm); guitar case: 46 × 19 1/4 × 6 3/8 in. (116.8 × 48.9 × 16.2 cm)

Type: cases (containers); musical instruments; guitars

Place made: South Korea, Asia

Date: 2002

Topic: African American; Funk (Music); Soul (Music)

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number: 2008.7.2ab

Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Musical Instruments

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

"Pudgy" trumpet owned by Dizzy Gillespie

Designed by: Bobby DeNicola, American, 1929 - 2006
Owned by: Gillespie, Dizzy, American, 1917 - 1993

Medium: silver and mother of pearl
Dimensions: L x W (trumpet): 15 x 5 x 9 3/4 in. (38.1 x 12.7 x 24.8 cm); L x W (bag): 20 x 4 1/2 x 13 in. (50.8 x 11.4 x 33 cm); H x W (papers): 11 x 8 1/2 in. (27.9 x 21.6 cm)

Type: musical instruments; trumpets

Date: after 1968

Topic: African American; Jazz (Music)

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Paxton and Rachel Baker

Object number: 2012.172.6a-f

Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Musical Instruments
Exhibition: Musical Crossroads
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Culture/Fourth Floor, 4 053

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Organ owned by Henry Long and family

Created by: E.P. Carpenter & Company, American, 1852 - 1900
Owned by: Long, Henry L., American, ca. 1882 - 1935

Medium: wood, metal, ivory and mirrored glass
Dimensions: 70 x 46 3/4 x 23 3/4 in. (177.8 x 118.7 x 60.3 cm); Overall with Weight (Organ with mirror): 215 lb. (97.5 kg); Overall with Weight (Organ without mirror): 210 lb. (95.3 kg); Overall with Weight (Mirror): 5 lb. (2.3 kg)

Type: organs (aerophones); musical instruments

Place made: Brattleboro, Windham County, Vermont, United States
Place used: Seneca, Oconee County, South Carolina, United States

Date: ca. 1898

Caption: This organ was purchased by Mr. Henry L. Long, a Pullman Porter in Seneca, Carolina, in 1911. It was used by his family for gatherings and celebrations.

Topic: African American; Amusements; Domestic life; Families; Music

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift from the Family of Henry L. Long

Object number: 2012.7.1ab

Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Musical Instruments
Exhibition: Defending Freedom, Defining Freedom: The Era of Segregation, 1876-1968
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Concourse 2, C 2053

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Trombone played by Fred Wesley

Manufactured by: Vincent Bach Corporation, American, founded 1918; Conn-Selmer, American, founded 1927
Used by: Wesley, Fred, American, born 1943

Medium: metal, synthetic fiber
Dimensions: H x W x D: 9 7/8 x 46 1/8 x 10 1/2 in. (25.1 x 117.2 x 26.7 cm)

Type: trombones; musical instruments

Date: after 1960

Topic: African American; Funk (Music); Instrumentalists (Musicians); Jazz (Music); Rhythm and blues (Music); Soul (Music)

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Fred Wesley

Object number: 2013.107.2.1-.2

Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Musical Instruments
Exhibition: Musical Crossroads
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Culture/Fourth Floor, 4 053

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Vibraphone used by Roy Ayers

Manufactured by: Alternate Mode KAT, American, founded 1985
Used by: Ayers, Roy, American, born 1940

Medium: metal, plastic
Dimensions: H x W x D: 2 7/8 x 46 3/4 x 11 1/8 in. (7.3 x 118.7 x 28.3 cm)

Type: vibraphones; musical instruments

Date: after 1985

Topic: African American; Jazz (Music); Rhythm and blues (Music)

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Roy Ayers

Object number: 2013.30.9

Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Musical Instruments
Exhibition: Musical Crossroads
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Culture/Fourth Floor, 4 053

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Bass guitar used by Robert "Kool" Bell of Kool & the Gang

Manufactured by: Oasis Guitars, American
Used by: Kool & the Gang, American, founded 1964; Robert "Kool" Bell, American, born 1950

Medium: wood, brass (alloy), metal and plastic
Dimensions: H x W x D: 46 1/2 × 13 7/8 × 3 in. (118.1 × 35.2 × 7.6 cm)

Type: musical instruments; guitars

Place made: Juliesse Avenue, Sacramento, California, United States, North and Central America

Date: 1976-1978

Topic: African American; Disco (Music); Funk (Music); Instrumentalists (Musicians); Rhythm and blues (Music)

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Robert "Kool" Bell of Kool & The Gang

Object number: 2015.212ab

Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Musical Instruments
Exhibition: Musical Crossroads
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Culture/Fourth Floor, 4 053

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Upright acoustic double bass owned by Stanley Clarke

Owned by: Clarke, Stanley, American, born 1951
Manufactured by: Unidentified

Medium: wood, metal and steel
Dimensions: 75 x 25 5/8 x 15 in. (190.5 x 65.1 x 38.1 cm)

Type: double basses; musical instruments

Date: late 20th century

Topic: African American; Composers (Musicians); Instrumentalists (Musicians); Jazz (Music)

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Stanley Clarke

Object number: 2013.160.1

Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Musical Instruments

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Stanley Clarke Signature Standard 4 String Bass

Electric bass guitar owned by Stanley Clarke

Owned by: Clarke, Stanley, American, born 1951
Manufactured by: Alembic Inc., American, founded 1969; Gotoh Gut Co., Japanese, founded 1960

Medium: wood, copper alloy, plastic, wire, mother of pearl and gold
Dimensions: 44 1/8 x 13 1/2 x 2 3/8 in. (112.1 x 34.3 x 6 cm)

Type: electric guitars; musical instruments

Place made: 3005 Wiljan Court, Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, California, United States

Date: after 1990

Topic: African American; Composers (Musicians); Instrumentalists (Musicians); Jazz (Music)

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Stanley Clarke

Object number: 2013.160.2.1

Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Musical Instruments
Exhibition: Musical Crossroads
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Culture/Fourth Floor, 4 053

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Minimoog Voyager synthesizer used by J Dilla

Manufactured by: Moog Music Inc., American, founded 1953
Used by: J Dilla, American, 1974 - 2006

Medium: wood, plastic, metal, glass, canvas
Dimensions: Back panel flat: 4 1/2 × 30 3/4 × 17 7/8 in. (11.4 × 78.1 × 45.4 cm); Back panel raised: 12 3/8 × 30 3/4 × 17 7/8 in. (31.4 × 78.1 × 45.4 cm)

Type: synthesizers; musical instruments

Place used: Los Angeles, California, United States, North and Central America

Date: 2002-2005

Topic: African American; Hip hop (Music); Musicians

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Maureen Yancy

Object number: 2014.139.2a

Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Musical Instruments
Exhibition: Musical Crossroads
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Culture/Fourth Floor, 4 053

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Wood violin and bow from the Sugg McDonald house

Owned by: McDonald, Vernon Sugg, American, 1906 - 1982

Medium: wood with metal and fiber
Dimensions: H x W x D (2014.316.2.1.1): 3 1/2 × 7 1/2 × 21 3/4 in. (8.9 × 19.1 × 55.2 cm); H x W x D (2014.316.2.1.2): 1 1/4 × 1/2 × 28 3/4 in. (3.2 × 1.3 × 73 cm)

Type: bows (chordophone components); violins; musical instruments

Place collected: Sugg McDonald House, Sonora, Tuolumne County, California, United States, North and Central America

Date: ca. 1700-1900

Topic: African American; Music

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Bob and Sherri Brennan in memory of Vernon Sugg McDonald

Object number: 2014.316.2.1.1-.2

Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Musical Instruments
Exhibition: Musical Crossroads
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Culture/Fourth Floor, 4 053

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Wood violin case from the Sugg McDonald house

Manufactured by: George S. Bond
Owned by: McDonald, Vernon Sugg, American, 1906 - 1982

Medium: wood with metal , felt and paper (fiber product)
Dimensions: H x W x D: 4 3/4 × 31 7/8 × 9 1/4 in. (12.1 × 81 × 23.5 cm)

Type: cases (containers); musical instruments

Place collected: Sugg McDonald House, Sonora, Tuolumne County, California, United States, North and Central America

Date: ca. 1850-1900

Topic: African American; Music

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Bob and Sherri Brennan in memory of Vernon Sugg McDonald

Object number: 2014.316.2.2

Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Musical Instruments

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Voodoo Guitar "Marie" made by Don Moser with debris from Hurricane Katrina

Created by: Moser, Don, American

Medium: Wood, copper, brass, tin, and plastic with fabric and rhinestone
Dimensions: H x W x D (guitar): 41 3/4 × 13 3/4 × 2 3/8 in. (106 × 34.9 × 6 cm); H x W x D (Wood box): 5 x 47 7/8 x 17 in. (12.7 x 121.6 x 43.2 cm)

Type: musical instruments; guitars

Place made: New Orleans, Louisiana, United States, North and Central America

Date: 2005

Topic: African American; Art; Communities; Folklife; Music; Musicians; Ornamentation; United States--History--2001-

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Musician/Artist Don Louis Moser

Object number: 2015.119.1-.2

Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Musical Instruments
Exhibition: Musical Crossroads
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Culture/Fourth Floor, 4 053

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Prototype for Meshell Ndegeocello Reverend Fellowship Bass guitar

Designed by: Ndegeocello, Meshell, German-American, born 1968
Used by: Ndegeocello, Meshell, German-American, born 1968
Manufactured by: Reverend Musical Instruments, American, founded 1996; Ace Products Group, American, founded 1983

Medium: Guitar (.1): korina (wood), chrome, rosewood, walnut, graphite, metal, and plastic Case (.2): polyvinyl chloride, polyester, and plastic
Dimensions: guitar (.1): 46 1/2 × 13 × 2 3/4 in. (118.1 × 33 × 7 cm); case (.2): 49 × 17 11/16 × 4 1/2 in. (124.5 × 44.9 × 11.4 cm)

Type: electric guitars; musical instruments

Place made: South Korea, Asia

Date: 2014

Topic: African American; Funk (Music); Jazz (Music); Neo-Soul (Music); Rock and roll (Music); Soul (Music)

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Meshell Ndegeocello

Object number: 2015.8.1-.2

Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Musical Instruments
On View: National Museum of American History (14th St & Constitution), National Museum of American History, NMAH East Wing, 2nd Floor, Room 2200

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

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