Abstract
The Danny Cassella Papers are comprised of materials dating from 1934 to 1953, focusing on musician Danny Cassella and His Orchestra, who had performances in Las Vegas, Nevada. The materials include biographical information about Danny Cassella, photographs, newspaper clippings, correspondence, postcards, programs, articles and tune-dex cards.
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Scope and Contents Note
The Danny Cassella Papers are comprised of materials dating from 1934 to 1953, focusing on musician Danny Cassella and His Orchestra, who had a few performances in Las Vegas, Nevada. The materials include biographical information about Danny Cassella, photographs, newspaper clippings, correspondence, postcards, programs, articles and tune-dex cards.
Access Note
Collection is open for research.
Publication Rights
Materials in this collection may be protected by copyrights and other rights. See Reproductions and Use on the UNLV Special Collections website for more information about reproductions and permissions to publish.
Arrangement
The materials are arranged alphabetically.
Biographical / Historical Note
Danny Cassella was a Las Vegas, Nevada big band performer and orchestra leader from the 1940s to the 1960s. Cassella grew up in New Castle, Pennsylvania, where he studied violin and drums. It was shortly after he graduated from New Castle High School that a traveling musical show gave him the opportunity to fulfill his dreams. After gaining experience with the traveling production, Cassella's musical ability was noticed by a number of orchestras. He decided to go to Hollywood. He appeared in the 1933 movie Flying Down to Rio with Fred Astaire. While doing the film he aquired a new found talent for the rumba rhythm and a number of well-known bands asked Cassella to join them. In the course of a few years, Cassella appeared with a host of great orchestras. World War Two paused Cassella's career for several years, although he kept active with his drumming while serving in the U.S. Army. After being discharged, he put together a group of musicians called Danny Cassella and His Orchestra and resumed his music career. The band made several recordings and appeared in hotels, theater-restaurants, night clubs, theaters, and on radio programs.
Preferred Citation
Danny Cassella Papers, 1934-1953. MS-00609. Special Collections and Archives, University Libraries, University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Las Vegas, Nevada. http://n2t.net/ark:/62930/f14s55
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Acquisition Note
Materials were donated by the Arnold Shaw Popular Music Research Center in 2009, accession number 2009-020. Materials were transferred to Special Collections, University Libraries, University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Las Vegas, Nevada.
Processing Note
Material was processed by Joyce Moore in 2010. In 2014, as part of a legacy finding aid conversion project, Kayla McDuffie revised and enhanced the collection description to bring it into compliance with current professional standards.