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Mousey Alexander

{{short description|American jazz drummer}}

{{Infobox musical artist

| name = Mousey Alexander

| image = Mousey Alexander and Clark Terry.jpg

| caption =Clark Terry (left) and Mousey Alexander (right) in December 1970

| background = non_vocal_instrumentalist

| birth_name =Elmer Alexander

| birth_date = {{Birth date|1922|6|29}}

| birth_place =Gary, Indiana

| death_date = {{death date and age|1988|10|9|1922|6|19|df=yes}}

| death_place =Orlando, Florida

| genre = Jazz

| occupation = Musician

| instrument = Drums

| years_active = 1940s–1980s

| label = Famous Door

| past_member_of = Sauter-Finegan Orchestra

}}

Elmer "Mousey" Alexander (June 19, 1922 – October 9, 1988) was an American jazz drummer.

Career

Alexander was born in Gary, Indiana to Assyrian parents from Iran."Elmer Alexander", United States census, 1930; Chicago, Cook, Illinois; roll 486, page 7B, line 58, enumeration district 1638, Family History film 1254075, National Archives film number T626. Retrieved on 2022-02-14.{{Cite journal|date=July–August 1960|title=Famous Assyrian Drumer Appearing at 1960 Chicago Convention|journal=Assyrian Star|volume=9| issue = 7-8|pages=5}} He grew up in Chicago,{{Cite web|date=1988-10-14|title=Elmer (Mousie) Alexander; Jazz Drummer|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-10-14-mn-3762-story.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220215045525/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-10-14-mn-3762-story.html|archive-date=2022-02-15|access-date=2022-02-15|website=Los Angeles Times|language=en-US}} eventually studying at the Roy C. Knapp School of Percussion located there.{{cite book|last=Mattingly |first=Rick|title=The New Grove Dictionary of Jazz |year=2002 |publisher=Grove's Dictionaries |location=New York|isbn=1561592846|edition=2nd|editor=Barry Kernfeld|page=28|chapter=Albert, Don}}

Prior to serving in the Navy during World War II, Alexander backed up different performers at Chicago jazz clubs, including the singer Billie Holiday.{{Cite web|last=Duffy|first=Thom|date=1988-10-11|title=Mousey Alexander, Jazz Drummer, Dies|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-1988-10-11-0070330182-story.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417121349/https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-1988-10-11-0070330182-story.html|archive-date=2021-04-17|access-date=2022-02-15|website=Orlando Sentinel|language=en}} In the late 1940s, Alexander began working with Jimmy McPartland in Chicago, and, in 1952, 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 with guitarist, Johnny Smith. In 1956, he accompanied Benny Goodman on a tour of the Far East and, subsequently, toured with him up until the early 1970s to additional locations as well, such as to South America and Europe. Later, in the 1950s, he often worked with Bud Freeman and Eddie Condon. He also played with Charlie Ventura, Red Norvo, Clark Terry, Ralph Sutton, Sy Oliver, and Doc Severinsen. Alexander freelanced during the 1960s with several bands. In the 1970s, he recorded for jazz producer Harry Lim and the Famous Door record label, and in 1972, accompanied the singer, Pearl Bailey, when she performed for President Richard Nixon at the White House.

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

References

{{reflist}}

  • Eugene Chadbourne, [{{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p170032/biography|pure_url=yes}} Elmer Alexander] at Allmusic
  • [https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=940DE5D91F3FF931A25753C1A96E948260 New York Times Obituary]

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Alexander, Mousey}}

Category:1922 births

Category:1988 deaths

Category:American jazz drummers

Category:Drummers from Indiana

Category:20th-century American drummers

Category:American male drummers

Category:20th-century American male musicians

Category:American male jazz musicians

Category:American people of Iranian-Assyrian descent

Category:Assyrian musicians