Skip to main content

Search the Special Collections and Archives Portal

Search Results

Display    Results Per Page
Displaying results 71 - 79 of 79

Ken Hanlon oral history interview

Identifier

OH-01186

Abstract

Ken Hanlon oral history interview conducted by Cynthia Cicero on January 17, 2014 for the UNLV University Libraries Oral History Collection. In this interview, Hanlon discribes his background, talking about his childhood in Maryland, his early interest in music, and the opportunity to study with the same band teacher through middle and high school. He talks about starting to play a baritone horn before switching to the trombone, his early experiences playing with dance bands, starting private lessons, and eventually matriculating to the Peabody Conservatory of Music in Baltimore, Maryland. He continues, relating his five years teaching middle-school music after graduating from college, and his decision to move to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1968 to seek work as a full-time musician. After talking about some of the difficulties he faced finding work, he discusses his time in a road band and deciding to apply to teach at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). He explains that he was hired to teach as an adjunct in 1970 and two weeks later was offered the job of department chair, a role he held for 16 years before moving into university administration. During this period he continued to perform, playing trombone in the Sands Hotel and Casino house band under the direction of Antonio Morelli. Finally, he discusses Morelli at more length, and concludes by talking about endowments for music education and the Arnold Shaw music collection at the Arnold Shaw Center at UNLV.

Archival Collection

Jay Poster oral history interview

Identifier

OH-02811

Abstract

Oral history interview with Jay Poster conducted by Barbara Tabach on August 26, 2016 for the Southern Nevada Jewish Heritage Project. Poster describes his growth through his career in funeral services and his respect for the Jewish traditions of burial and grieving. He also talks about his participation in the ShabbaTones Band at Congregation Ner Tamid, and Desert Winds, a community based performance organization.

Archival Collection

Pete Barbutti oral history interview

Identifier

OH-02769

Abstract

Oral history interview with Pete Barbutti (also spelled Barbuti) conducted by Lisa Gioia Acres on September 24, 2008 for the All That Jazz Oral History Project. Barbutti begins his interview by describing why his last name is spelled two different ways. He then discusses his introduction to music which occurred when he learned to play the accordion. He describes learning to play Polish music as a child, his family and childhood, and the importance of music in his family. Barbutti then recalls his performance history during the 1950s in bands such as the Polka Dots, Overtones, and Millionaires. He explains that while in the Millionaires the band was booked to play Las Vegas, Nevada at the Thunderbird Hotel and Casino. After the Millionaires broke up in 1962 he played the piano in Spokane, Washington. He then describes his role performing on the Steve Allen Show, how he got the job, and how the show lead to him working with Nat King Cole. He then discusses his family, their move to Las Vegas in 1955, and his guest performances on late night shows. Lastly, Barbutti tells an anecdote about proper venue set up and how performances can be impacted by poor planning and lack of knowledge.

Archival Collection

Stan Irwin oral history interview

Identifier

OH-02437

Abstract

Oral history interview with Stan Irwin conducted by Cork Proctor on August 24, 2003 for the All That Jazz Oral History Project. In this interview, Irwin talks about his early life performing comedy in nightclubs, hotels, and casinos in Las Vegas, Nevada, writing comedic material, his military service, starting a family, and racism in the Las vegas entertainment industry in the 1950s and 1960s. He also discusses his work as vice-president and executive producer for Sahara Nevada Corporation, bringing The Beatles to Las Vegas, Nevada when all other hotels refused to do so, and the band's appearance at the Las Vegas Convention Center. He continues talking about being a comedian, actor, and special materials writer and his life since retirement.

Archival Collection

Eugene Williams oral history interview

Identifier

OH-02427

Abstract

Oral history interview with Eugene Williams conducted by Claytee White on July 18, 2008 for the All That Jazz Oral History Project. Williams discusses being signed to a musical group called the Platters in 1970, and performing with them for eighteen years. Williams also talks about his temporary hiatus form music to focus on his family, then returning to music through an ex-Platters group called the Sound of the Platters.

Archival Collection

Ken Hanlon oral history interview

Identifier

OH-00783

Abstract

Oral history interview with Ken Hanlon conducted by Claytee D. White on November 29, 2006 for the UNLV @ 50 Oral History Project. Hanlon, a trombonist, discusses being on the road with Si Zentner's orchestra and playing in many of the Las Vegas Strip hotels. He also discusses getting hired as chair of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas Music Department in 1970. Hanlon then discusses the Las Vegas, Nevada Chapter of the International Trombone Association and the Arnold Shaw Popular Music Research Center.

Archival Collection

Diane and Pat Clary oral history interview

Identifier

OH-00207

Abstract

Oral history interview with Diane and Pat Clary conducted by Claytee D. White on May 20, 2009 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, the Clarys discuss the history of Las Vegas, Nevada, their personal histories, and provide an overview of Las Vegas during the 1950s and 1960s. Diane Clary describes working for various casinos as a teenager and her father's work as a casino chef. Pat Clary describes his history and involvement with the musical arts in Las Vegas. The couple talk about the nuclear weapons tests performed at the Nevada Test Site and the prevalence of organized crime in Las Vegas' casinos before the arrival of Howard Hughes. Pat Clary also discusses his involvement in Nevada politics as a Democrat and his career as a lawyer.

Archival Collection

Clara Alvarez oral history interview

Identifier

OH-03507

Abstract

Oral history interview with Clara Alvarez conducted by Norma Flores and Claytee D. White on October 25, 2018 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project. Brian "Paco" Alvarez also participated in the interview. Clara Alvarez describes her family background and her childhood in Buenos Aires, Argentina. She recalls dropping out of high school to work, memories of early jobs, and why she moved to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1966. She secured her first position at the Sands Hotel as a maid during a time when that job position was held almost exclusively by Black women. Alvarez describes her time working at the Sands Hotel, and recalls meeting Frank Sinatra and his wife. After working as a maid, she was recruited to deal games in clubs and casinos, and was the first woman to deal at the Las Vegas Club. Then, Alvarez explains the changes in racial discrimination in the city, and says she never felt discriminated against in Las Vegas. Lastly, she talks about moving back to Florida and what she did while living there.

Archival Collection

Gene Noboru Nakanishi oral history interview

Identifier

OH-03758

Abstract

Oral history interview with Gene Noboru Nakanishi conducted by Ayrton Yamaguchi, Cecilia Winchell, and Stefani Evans on April 2, 2021 for Reflections: The Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project.

Gene Nakanishi shares his detailed family history from both his father's and his mother's families. He discusses his paternal grandfather's work on the Union Pacific Railroad, the family's internment in Wyoming during World War II, and his father's release from the camp by joining the United States Army Signal Corps. Nakanishi also talks of his maternal grandfather who was of the Bushido ("warrior") class in Osaka, Japan, and his grandfather's work with Christian missionaries. He shares details of his mother's restaurant employment in Los Angeles and her opening of Osaka Japanese Bistro in Las Vegas in 1969. Nakanishi also talks about being born and raised in Las Vegas, his musical schooling at Berklee College of Music in Boston, and his graduate education at Harvard University. He discusses his work as a band teacher for the Clark County School District, his involvement in the Idyllwild Arts Summer Program band camp, and his interests in jazz music.

Archival Collection