Ousley, Harold, 1975 October 28

Item — Multiple Containers

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Scope and Contents

Saxophonist and flutist Harold Ousely lectured on 10/28/1975 (2015-0002/RR240). Ousley was an active jazz saxophonist from the 1940s-1990s. Early in his career professional career, Ousley accompanied Billie Holiday and later went on to play in various circus and jazz bands from 1949-1956, where in 1952 he was a member of Sun Ra’s band. Throughout the 1950s, Ousley appeared on numerous records with King Kolax, and Danny Overbea. Throughout the remainder of his long career, Ousley played with rock-and-roll groups, many jazz ensembles, was the leader of his own jazz bands, and toured throughout the US and internationally. Later in his life, Ousely became chiefly known as a performer of soul jazz.

RR 240 Hale Smith introduces Harold Ousley. Mr. Ousley shares his personal background about how he had come to New York, a mecca for jazz. He makes a point of the significance of the Flanders Hotel and how it was a gathering (47-48th streets in Manhattan) spot for musicians.

Dates

1975 October 28

Conditions Governing Access

Links to digitized content are included in the finding aid.

Biographical / Historical

Harold Lomax Ousley was an American jazz tenor saxophonist and flutist.

Born in Chicago on January 23, 1929, Ousley began playing in the late 1940s. In the 1950s, he accompanied Billie Holiday and recorded with Dinah Washington. He played as a sideman with Gene Ammons in the 1950s and with Jack McDuff and George Benson in the 1960s. He released his first record as a leader, Tenor Sax with Bethlehem Records, in 1961. In the 1970s, he played with Lionel Hampton and Count Basie in addition to releasing several other albums as a leader. After 1977, he did not release another album under his own name until Grit-Grittin' Feelin' in 2000.

Harold Ousley died August 13, 2015, in Brooklyn NY.

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harold_Ousley / https://www.allmusic.com/artist/harold-ousley-mn0000561712 / https://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwmusic/article/Jazz-Musician-Harold-Ousley-Passes-Away-20150814]

Extent

1 Reels (Magnetic tape audio recording ) : RR 240 1 reel, Side A-1:04:58, Side B-0:12:14; tape speed 3¾ IPS; track position ½-Track Mono; Substrate: Polyester. The recordings were combined for ease of listening. The combined run time of the digital recording is 1:17:07.