The performers of the Las Vegas Strip built the city into the entertainment center it is today. While the world recognizes the faces and names of the greats such as Sammy Davis, Jr. or Dean Martin, there were more performers on the stage that helped build the city’s entertainment reputation. All That Jazz: Those Who Played with the Greats was an oral history project that sought to uncover the history of band members for these performers and provide a look into the back door of the stage.
Most of the oral histories in this project were recorded between 2007 and 2010. Twenty-eight people have been interviewed, featuring musicians who played the trumpet, clarinet, flute, saxophone, drums, piano, and more. Vocalists, comedians, and music teachers are all included in this project. Coming to Las Vegas from all around the world, these musicians made decade long careers performing in hotels and restaurants up and down Las Vegas Boulevard.
The histories recorded in this project demonstrated how differently the lives of musicians could be. Some of the histories, such as Pete Barbutti's, tell the stories of lifelong performers with careers centered around Las Vegas. Barbutti played the accordion, piano, and trumpet and was known for layering comedy into his shows as he toured around the country both on his own and as an opener for Nat King Cole. When asked what age he was when he knew music would be his occupation, Barbutti stated, “I think probably 13 or 14 maybe.”
Others, such as Ernest W. Hensley, had music throughout their lives, but did not perform in Las Vegas until later in life. Hensley primarily played with the “Airmen of Note,” the premier jazz ensemble for the US Air Force and played around Washington, D.C. and Europe. Only after retiring at age 39 did Hensley decide to move to Vegas and perform for tourists instead of the military. Notably, he played with greats like Andy Williams and Sammy Davis, Jr.
Despite the varying ways in which these performers came to Las Vegas, each of them contributed to the building of music entertainment on the Strip. Using these oral histories, you can learn more about the history of Strip entertainment, touring as a performer, and all that jazz.
-Noah Price
Oral History Recordings
As part of this exhibition, we are specially including recordings of the actual oral history interviews. See the interviews of Pete Barbutti and Ernest Hensley below:
Recording of Pete Barbutti interview
Recording of Ernest Hensley Interview
Notes:
Barbutti, Pete. “An Interview with Pete Barbutti.” By Lisa Gioia-Acres. Oral History Research Center. 9 September 2008.
Hensley, Ernest W. “An Interview with Ernie Hensley.” By Lisa Gioia-Acres. Oral History Research Center. 25 January 2008.
Continue learning about the "All That Jazz: Those Who Played with the Greats" project here.
