Mousey Alexander

Elmer "Mousey" Alexander (June 19, 1922 – October 9, 1988) was an American jazz drummer. He is not related to Jamaican-born jazz pianist Monty Alexander.

Mousey Alexander
Clark Terry (left) and Mousey Alexander (right) in December 1970
Background information
Birth nameElmer Alexander
Born(1922-06-29)June 29, 1922
Chicago, Illinois
Died9 October 1988(1988-10-09) (aged 66)
Orlando, Florida
GenresJazz
Occupation(s)Musician
InstrumentsDrums
Years active1940s–1980s
LabelsFamous Door
Associated actsBenny Goodman, Billie Holiday, Red Norvo, Sauter-Finegan Orchestra, Jimmy McPartland, Marian McPartland, Clark Terry, Zoot Sims, Johnny Smith, Ralph Sutton, Charlie Ventura
Websiteexample.com

Career

Born in Gary, Indiana, Alexander studied at the Roy C. Knapp School of Percussion in Chicago.[1]

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 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
  1. Mattingly, Rick (2002). "Albert, Don". In Barry Kernfeld (ed.). The New Grove Dictionary of Jazz (2nd ed.). New York: Grove's Dictionaries. p. 28. ISBN 1561592846.
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