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Ralph E. Donerly oral history interview

Identifier

OH-00479

Abstract

Oral history interview with Ralph E. Donerly conducted by Patricia van Betten on June 30, 2006 for the History of Blue Diamond Village in Nevada Oral History Project. In this interview, Donerly, born in New Jersey, discusses his evolution as a musician. He spent his youth learning from prominent musicians in New Jersey and New York, until he moved to Los Angeles, California in his twenties. Eventually, Donerly moved to Blue Diamond, Nevada along with his mother and wife in order to pursue a musical career with big bands that performed at Las Vegas, Nevada hotels and casinos.

Archival Collection

Don Cunningham oral history interviews

Identifier

OH-02943

Abstract

Oral history interviews with Don Cunningham conducted by Claytee D. White on January 13, 2017, January 26, 2017, and February 10, 2017 for African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In the first interview, Cunningham discusses his upbringing in St. Louis, Missouri and his early interest in music. He talks about becoming a musician in the military, and traveling around the world to play in the military bands. In the second interview, Cunningham remembers the transition out of the military, becoming a freelance musician, and arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1969. In the final interview, Cunningham discusses his involvement with the Las Vegas Jazz Society, and receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Archival Collection

Judy Corbisiero oral history interviews

Identifier

OH-02543

Abstract

Oral history interviews with Judy Corbisiero conducted by Dennis McBride on September 05, 2003; and April 21, July 02, and December 10, 2004 for the Las Vegas Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Archives Oral History Project. In the interviews, Corbisiero recalls her early childhood in New York City, New York, coming out in the late 1970s, and meeting her then-partner, Janice Summers. She describes forming Summercor, Incorporated (a portmanteau of their last names) with Summers to produce women musicians, with a focus on lesbian artists, while living in New York. Corbisiero also talks about musicians she worked with, running political fundraisers during music events, and meeting her next partner, Gudrun Fonfa. She then explains moving to Las Vegas, Nevada with Fonfa in 1983 to promote women's music and culture in Las Vegas and throughout the West Coast.

Archival Collection

Austin Family with Chazz Young oral history interview roundtable

Identifier

OH-02138

Abstract

Oral history interview roundtable with the Austin Family and Chazz Young conducted by Claytee D. White on August 06, 2014 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, the Austin family discusses their dance school, Austin Dancers, which they brought with them when they moved to Las Vegas, Nevada from New York City, New York in 1993. Linda Austin discusses her early interest in drumming, which later lead to a successful career as a musician, where she performed for celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey and Maya Angelou, and played with other musicians such as Quincy Jones. Charles "Chazz" Young also discusses his career as a dance teacher at Austin Dancers and the West Las Vegas Arts Center. The family discusses the cultural differences between Las Vegas and Harlem, where they came from in New York City, as well as the differences between teaching the children of Las Vegas compared to the children they taught in New York.

Archival Collection

Frank Leone oral history interview

Identifier

OH-02115

Abstract

Oral history interview with Frank Leone conducted by Lisa Giola-Acres on November 13, 2007 for the All That Jazz Oral History Project. Leone recalls his childhood, education, piano playing, and early career in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He also discusses his move to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1967 and engagements at various casinos, including playing with singers such as Frank Sinatra, Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme, and Elvis Presley. He also talks about his work as a board member and president of the Musicians Union.

Archival Collection

Renée Marchant Rampton oral history interviews

Identifier

OH-02690

Abstract

Oral history interviews with Renée Marchant Rampton conducted by Caryll Batt Dziedziak on August 27, 2006, January 25, 2011, and March 03, 2011 for the Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN) Las Vegas Women Oral History Project. Rampton begins her interviews discussing her family's migration history. Rampton talks about the influences Mormonism and her mother's feminism had on her life. Rampton then describes moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1959 with her husband. Rampton discusses the musicians union, Musicians' Wives Club, and her work to keep music in the Clark County School District. Lastly, Rampton discusses becoming an elementary school teacher and her efforts to support the Equal Rights Amendment.

Archival Collection

Joan Massagli oral history interview

Identifier

OH-01213

Abstract

Oral history interview with Joan Massagli conducted by Claytee D. White on August 19, 2010 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Massagli discusses being part of a singing act with her sisters called the Sawyer Sisters that often played Las Vegas, Nevada. She then discusses meeting her husband, Mark Tully Massagli, who was a musician, and making their home in Las Vegas.

Archival Collection

Gus Mancuso oral history interview

Identifier

OH-03275

Abstract

Oral history interview with Gus Mancuso conducted by Lisa Gioia-Acres on September 27, 2008 for the All That Jazz Oral History Project. Jazz musician Gus Mancuso (Ronald Bernard Mancuso) discusses his career playing trombone and double bass in various musical groups and serving in the Army band as a piano player. He also talks about moving to Las Vegas in 1955, playing in bands at various casinos, touring Europe with Sarah Vaughan and teaching in the music department at University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV).

Archival Collection

Frank Rist oral history interview

Identifier

OH-01571

Abstract

Oral history interview with Frank Rist conducted by William F. Vornholt on May 11, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Rist discusses his personal history working as a musician and owning a bar in Las Vegas, Nevada. Rist also describes the development of Las Vegas over the years and the distinctions between the different casinos and shows.

Archival Collection

Judy Jetter oral history interview

Identifier

OH-02106

Abstract

Oral history interview with Judy Jetter conducted by Lisa Gioia-Acres on September 10, 2008 for the All That Jazz Oral History Project. Jetter discusses being mentored by Woody Herman and others about the art of jazz. She also talks about some jazz musicians in Las Vegas, Nevada, including Gus Mancuso, the Bootlegger, Terri James, and Jobell.

Archival Collection