Tommy Fox (Baritone Sax & Clarinet) He was born in Albany, Oregon to Lillian and Harry Fox and lived nearly his entire life in the local area. Tommy married his wife Geraldine in 1943 in Pensacola, Florida while serving in the Navy during WWII. They raised two children, Sharon and Tom, in their home in Springfield. […]
Maurie Binford
Maurie Binford’s Orchestra 4/7/1939 – Maurie Binford, University of Oregon maestro will lead his orchestra through the rhythms of the day. Swimmers Delight
Herschel Davis (1901-1984)
Accomplished musician, Herschel Davis, was well renowned in the Northwest for his swing and big band music. He directed his own orchestras and played piano and the organ in the Eugene area from 1921 – 1974. Herschel was born to P. Waldo Davis and Lizzie DeMoss, of the famous musical family, The DeMoss Family Bards of […]
Eldred Glaspey
Eldred Glaspey played the Violin and Saxaphone and was renowned in the Willamette Valley for his swing and big band music. Eldred was born in Fall Creek, Oregon October 21, 1912. He graduated from Springfield High School and studied music at the University of Oregon. He performed for over seventy years, from the 1920’s through the 1990’s […]
Carl Rooen
Carl Rooen operated a dance orchestra in the Eugene area. June 9, 1937 – Swimmers Delight Jan 24, 1937 – Lane to Benefit From Ball Funds: Carl Rooen and his 8-piece orchestra Feb 25, 1937 – Ski Quartet will Broadcast Tuesday: Obsidian Ski Club quartet…by train to Cresent Lake…broadcast on KORE…Arrangements for the train include […]
Bud Brown (Powers)
Bud Brown (Powers) Nov 5, 1928 – The McDonald has selected Johnny Robinson’s “Varsity Vagabonds” and the Burton Sisters’ “Co-Ed Harmonizers” Orchestra. The Varsity Vagabonds are arranging an elaborate stage setting. They are to play several comedy band numbers, vocal and instrumental solos and symphony jazz arrangements. ***Discrepancy between this article and the photo regarding […]
Rex Underwood
Rex Underwood (violinist) taught Orchestra and Strings at the UO School of Music between 1919-1947. Prior to becoming to the UO he was with the Leipsic Royal Conservatory of Music and the Royal Bavarian Conservatory of Music. He studied with Joseph Olheizer, Chicago, Hans Becker, Leipzic, Michael Press, Berlin, and Ostrovsky, London. Director of the University Orchestra “The University […]
Mike Gross
Mike Gross Orchestra (1918, 1921)
Cole McElroy
Cole McElroy (1888 – 1947) J. Cole McElroy, also known as “Pop” McElroy was a popular Jazz musician and widely known dance hall manager from Oregon. “Born in Corvallis to E.B. McElroy, he moved to Eugene to attend the University of Oregon in the late 1800’s. He graduated from UO in 1900. In 1910, after nine years managing his father’s […]
Curtis Salgado
Curtis Salgado grew up in Eugene, Oregon. By his early 20s, Salgado was already making a name for himself in Eugene’s bar scene with his band The Nighthawks, and later as co-leader of The Robert Cray Band. In 1977, comedian/actor John Belushi was in Eugene filming Animal House. During downtime from production, Belushi caught a typically […]
Orla Whitmore
Orla Whitmore Orla Whitmore was one of the only female jazz drummers in Eugene, Oregon in the 1960’s. Genre: Jazz Instrument: Drums Female drumer plays free and easy jazz – 1964 Register Guard article
Henry Cooper
Henry Cooper aka: Sir Henry Cooper Born in Eugene, Oregon Genre: Blues Band History: Los Explores (1980-1982) Los Falcons Henry and the Hamhocks The Terraplanes Duffy Bishop Band Bluesman Exposes his Eugene Roots – Nov 19, 1999 RG article
Byran Case
Byran Case played bass for: The Sunrays The Party Kings Nicolette Helm & Queen Bee The Heaters
Leon Smith
Location: West Eugene, Oregon With roots in the early rock ‘n roll scene, now known as Rockabilly music, Leon Smith can be found in the Rockabilly Hall of Fame. Leon Smith’s 1959 hit single, Little 40 Ford, quickly rose to the top of the charts on the West Coast and allowed him to make his mark […]
Bob Ramsey
Drum pedal inventor and musician from Springfield, Oregon The GHOST was designed by J.R. “Bob” Ramsey. Local Drum Pedal Inventor’s Ghost Beats Way to Fame – 1951 RG article Inventor’s Drum Pedal Wows Big-Name Players – April 5, 1951 RG Article Bob Ramsey Writes Details of Life in US Navy Music History Jan 26 1938 – Play […]