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Museum object · Photographs and Still Images

Photograph of the Count Basie Orchestra performing on stage

mid 20th century

Smithsonian NMAAHC collection

COLLECTION RECORDImage not availableExplore the catalog description and source record.
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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 silver gelatin print depicting a black-and-white image of the Count Basie Orchestra performing on stage. The image is oriented so that the viewer is looking up towards the band on stage. On the left side of the image is a large drum set with the bass drum featuring decals of letters and musical notes, [J.J. / C / B]. The drummer’s head is just visible above the bass drum. In a diagonal line from the middle of the image down to the lower right corner, there are two (2) rows of musicians. The front row of musicians are seated behind four (4) music stands with the initials [C / B] in the upper left corner of the front of the music stands. All four (4) musicians in the front row are playing saxophones. A second row of six (6) musicians stand behind the seated saxophonists. Five (5) of the musicians are holding trumpets.

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: 2013.46.25.38

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