Oral history interview with Jim Gans conducted by Claytee D. White on January 30, 2013 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Gans discusses working as an electrician and attending the Aviation Academy in Reno, Nevada and then as a flight instructor there. He also discusses working in measuring radioactivity from nuclear testing, working at the Clark County Sanitation, and at the Las Vegas, Nevada Convention and Visitors Authority as a vice president there.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Ernie Hensley conducted by Lisa Gioia-Acres on January 25, 2008 for the All That Jazz Oral History Project. Hensley discusses playing in the United States Air Force Band and becoming a member of the "Airmen of Note," the premier jazz ensemble for the Air Force. He also discusses working long-term with Jimmy Mulidore at the Las Vegas, Nevada Hilton Hotel, and his experiences working with Andy Williams, Sammy Davis, Jr., Juliet Prowse, Steve and Eydie, and Sarah Vaughn.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Paul Hejmanowski conducted by Lois M. Goodall on March 13, 2014 for West Charleston Neighborhoods-- An Oral History Project of Ward 1. Paul Hejmanowski in this interview recalls his family moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1972 and his first impressions of the city and its people. Hejmanowski then discusses his children’s activities at Lorenzi Park and traveling to an area near Caliente to cut down their Christmas tree. He also discusses how the law and justice community has changed in Las Vegas, given the rise in the amount of lawyers in Las Vegas and the advent of modern office technology.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Charles T. "Blackie" Hunt conducted by Cork Proctor on June 30, 2003 for the All That Jazz Oral History Project. Hunt shares detailed memories of the many musicians with whom he worked and toured. They played in venues that included Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; Toronto, and Montreal, and eventually were offered a booking at the Sahara Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. Hunt discusses jazz sessions that took place and the musicians who sat in on them, and how he and Lorraine eventually decided to quit show business.
Archival Collection
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
Oral history interview with Ann Clark Kanie conducted by Lois Goodall on March 20, 2014 for the West Charleston Neighborhoods: An Oral History Project of Ward 1. Kanie discusses her career as an elementary school teacher and teaching at schools such as Lincoln Elementary in North Las Vegas, Nevada and at Howard Wasden Elementary. Kanie also talks about her memories of growing up in Las Vegas and about how teaching has changed.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Thomas Kerestesi conducted by Wendy Starkweather on October 03, 2013 for the West Charleston Neighborhoods: An Oral History Project of Ward 1. In this interview, Thomas Kerestesi discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1956, growing up in the Mcneil Estates neighborhood of Las Vegas, graduating from the University of Nevada, Reno, and moving back to Las Vegas with his wife Buffie. He also talks about working at Cragin and Pike Insurance Agency alongside his father and the various organizations he associated with.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Tancy and Richard Leonard conducted by Barbara Tabach on September 18, 2012 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, the Leonards discuss their respective parents' employment at the Nevada Test Site. Frances’ father, John Elmgren, was the liaison between Reynolds Electric and the Atomic Energy Commission. Tancy describes the difficulties that came with having a parent working at the test site, the Huntridge Movie Theater, Vegas Village, and living in Las Vegas, Nevada in the 1950s and 1960s. Later in the interview, Richard discusses his father’s employment at the test site, observing the detonation of bombs, and the secrecy surrounding his father’s work. Lastly, the two describe the Westside and the historical significance of that area.
Archival Collection
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