Harold Ousley lectures at the University of Connecticut

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.

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.