Mousey Alexander

Mousey Alexander

Mousey and Clark Terry in December 1970
Background information
Birth name Elmer Alexander
Born June 19, 1922
Origin Chicago, Illinois
United States
Died October 9, 1988 (aged 66)
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

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

Born in Gary, Indiana, Alexander studied at the Roy Knapp School in Chicago.[1] He began to work with Jimmy McPartland there, soon after playing in the band of his wife, Marian McPartland. In the middle of the 1950s he played with the Sauter-Finegan Orchestra, and played in a small group with 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 many bands and in the 1970s he started recording for Harry Lim under the Famous Door record label. He was a great well schooled drummer able to swing any band he performed with. Buddy Rich and Mousey were friends and Buddy thought highly of his playing.

Mousey had a bad stroke in 1980 but fully recovered over time, and played up until his death in 1988. He died of heart and kidney failure.

References

  1. ↑ Mattingly, Rick (2002). "Albert, Don". In Barry Kernfeld. The new Grove dictionary of jazz, vol. 1 (2nd ed.). New York: Grove's Dictionaries Inc. p. 28. ISBN 1561592846.