Mousey Alexander
Mousey Alexander | |
---|---|
Background information | |
Birth name | Elmer Alexander |
Born | Chicago, Illinois | June 29, 1922
Died | 9 October 1988 Orlando, Florida | (aged 66)
Genres | Jazz |
Occupation | Musician |
Instrument | Drums |
Years active | 1940s–1980s |
Labels | Famous Door |
Website | example |
Elmer "Mousey" Alexander (June 19, 1922 – October 9, 1988) was an American jazz drummer. He is not related to Jamaican-born jazz pianist Monty Alexander.
Career
Born in Gary, Indiana, Alexander studied at the Roy C. Knapp School of Percussion in Chicago.[1]
In the late 1940s, Alexander began to work with Jimmy McPartland in Chicago, and in 1952 he began playing in the band of pianist Marian McPartland. In the middle of the 1950s he played and recorded with the Sauter-Finegan Orchestra and guitarist Johnny Smith. In 1956 he accompanied Benny Goodman on a tour of the Far East. Later in the 1950s he worked often with Bud Freeman and Eddie Condon. He also played with Charlie Ventura, Red Norvo, Clark Terry, Ralph Sutton, Sy Oliver, and Doc Severinsen. He freelanced during the 1960s with several bands. In the 1970s he recorded for jazz producer Harry Lim and the Famous Door record label.
Alexander suffered a stroke in 1980. After a period of recovery, he continued playing jazz until his death in 1988. He died of heart failure and kidney failure.
Discography
As leader
- The Mouse Roars! (Famous Door, 1979)
As sideman
With Johnny Smith
- The Johnny Smith Quartet (Roost, 1955)
- The Johnny Smith Foursome Vol. II (Roost, 1957)
- Plus the Trio (Roost, 1960)
- The Johnny Smith Stan Getz Years (Roulette, 1978)
With Charlie Ventura
- The New Charlie Ventura in Hi-Fi (Baton, 1956)
- Plays Hi-Fi Jazz (Tops, 1957)
- Chazz '77 (Famous Door, 1977)
- Charlie Ventura Quintet (Hall of Fame, 1978)
With others
- Eddie Barefield, The Indestructible E. B. (Famous Door, 1977)
- Mike Bryan, Mike Bryan and His Sextet in Concert (Storyville, 1962)
- Mike Bryan, Mike Bryan Sextet (Storyville, 1981)
- John Bunch, John's Bunch (Famous Door, 1975)
- John Carisi, The New Jazz Sound of Show Boat (Columbia, 1960)
- Buck Clayton & Buddy Tate, Buck & Buddy (Prestige Swingville, 1961)
- Buck Clayton & Buddy Tate, Kansas City Nights (Prestige 1974)
- Billy Franklin, The Golden Horn of Billy Franklin (Grand Prix Series 1962)
- Urbie Green, Ross Tompkins, Carl Fontana, Oleo (Pausa, 1978)
- Beverly Kenney, Sings for Johnny Smith (Roost, 1956)
- Lee Konitz, Spirits (Milestone, 1972)
- Gene Krupa, Percussion King (Verve, 1961)
- Marky Markowitz, Mark's Vibes (Famous Door, 1976)
- Jimmy McPartland & Marian McPartland, Play TV Themes (Design, 1960)
- Red Norvo, The Second Time Around (Famous Door, 1975)
- Nat Pierce, The Ballad of Jazz Street (Zim, 1980)
- Sal Salvador, Jazz Unlimited (Jazz Unlimited, 1961)
- Sauter-Finegan Orchestra, Inside Sauter-Finegan (RCA Victor, 1954)
- Zoot Sims & Jimmy Rowles, Zoot Suite (High Note, 1973)
- Zoot Sims & Jimmy Rowles, If I'm Lucky (Pablo, 1977)
- Zoot Sims & Jimmy Rowles, Warm Tenor (Pablo, 1979)
- Derek Smith, Toasting Derek Smith (Time, 1962)
- Jeri Southern, Jeri Southern Meets Johnny Smith (Roulette, 1958)
- Lou Stein, Jazz Trio (Jump, 1971)
- Rex Stewart, Redhead (Design, 1958)
- Rex Stewart, Henderson Homecoming (United Artists, 1959)
- Ralph Sutton, Ruby Braff, On Sunnie's Side of the Street (Blue Angel Jazz Club, 1968)
- Clark Terry, In Concert Live (Etoile, 1973)
- Phil Wilson, That's All (Famous Door, 1976)
- Jimmy Witherspoon, Goin' to Kansas City Blues (RCA Victor, 1958)
References
- ^ Mattingly, Rick (2002). "Albert, Don". In Barry Kernfeld (ed.). The New Grove Dictionary of Jazz (2nd ed.). New York: Grove's Dictionaries. p. 28. ISBN 1561592846.