Mousey Alexander
Elmer "Mousey" Alexander (June 19, 1922 – October 9, 1988) was an American jazz drummer.
Mousey Alexander | |
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Clark Terry (left) and Mousey Alexander (right) in December 1970 | |
Background information | |
Birth name | Elmer Alexander |
Born | June 29, 1922 |
Origin | Chicago, Illinois United States |
Died | October 9, 1988 66) | (aged
Genres | Jazz |
Occupation(s) | Musician, |
Instruments | Drums |
Labels | Famous Door |
Associated acts | Benny Goodman, Billie Holiday, Red Norvo, Sauter-Finegan Orchestra, Marian McPartland, Clark Terry, Zoot Sims, Jimmy McPartland, Johnny Smith, Bud Freeman, Eddie Condon, Ralph Sutton, Sy Oliver, Charlie Ventura, Doc Severinsen |
Born in Gary, Indiana, Alexander studied at the Roy Knapp School in Chicago.[1] He is not related to Jamaican-born jazz pianist Monty Alexander.
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 and kidney failure.
Discography
- With Buck Clayton
- Buck & Buddy (Swingville, 1960) with Buddy Tate
With Lee Konitz
- Spirits (Milestone, 1971)
With Zoot Sims
- If I'm Lucky (Pablo, 1977) with Jimmy Rowles
- Warm Tenor (Pablo, 1979) with Jimmy Rowles
With Rex Stewart
- Henderson Homecoming (United Artists, 1959)
With Jimmy Witherspoon
- Goin' to Kansas City Blues (RCA Victor, 1958) with Jay McShann
References
- Mattingly, Rick (2002). "Albert, Don". In Barry Kernfeld (ed.). The new Grove dictionary of jazz, vol. 1 (2nd ed.). New York: Grove's Dictionaries Inc. p. 28. ISBN 1561592846.