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Museum object · Photographs and Still Images

Gelatin silver print of Jimmie Lunceford and his Orchestra

ca. 1932

Smithsonian NMAAHC collection

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Source catalog description

This description refers to material held by Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Visual details below describe the original material.

A black and white photograph of Jimmie Lunceford and his orchestra. The thirteen (13) band members are pictured with their instruments on a stage in front of a curtain with a large floral design. Lunceford is standing at the center, leaning his proper right elbow on a grand piano and holding his saxophone in his proper left arm. He wears a light-colored double-breasted tuxedo with dark lapels. Just to the right of him is the drummer and drum kit, behind a large art deco style music stand with a diamond and key design. To the right, are three saxophone players seated behind smaller music stands in a similar diamond design, with the banjo and bass players on a raised platform behind them. To the left of Lunceford is the piano player, and the brass instrument players, also seated in two levels behind diamond music stands.

Sources & collection details

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture — original record ↗

Source collection ↗

Catalog metadata · CC0 · Source checked 2026-10-13

Catalog reference: 2015.97.38.19

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