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Title Towne Casino Photo
Date 1952-1953
Towne Casino Photo

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Description

A black-and-white performance photograph depicting the All Stars on stage at Towne Casino in Cleveland, OH, with elaborate painted murals and a costumed showgirl visible in background art. The bass drum head bears the name "COZY COLE". The band is arranged left to right: a Marty Napoleon seated at a piano, Trummy Young and Louis Armstrong standing at microphones, Cozy Cole behind the kit, Barney Bigard, and Arvell Shaw at far right.

A Canada Dry crate is visible near the drum riser.

On the photo, the stage front bears signatures in ink, barely legible:  "To Nat, The Best!  Sincerely, Marty Napoleon" and "To Nat, Highest Regards, Trummy Young". Bigard's signature, over his pants, as well as Cole's, above him, have faded. There is additional inscription throughout the photo that is likely lost to time.

The verso of the photograph is inscribed in handwriting with names and addresses, reading: "Marty Napoleon / Noreen Long / 10713 Nelson Ave. / Cleveland 5, Ohio / Di. 1-1166 / Julianne Muran / 10801 Nelson Ave. / City 5 / Carl Jurek / 2198 E. 101 street / SH 5-1799 / Wesley Landers / c/o Towne Casino / 10613 Euclid Ave." 

Location Cleveland, OH
Provenance Personal Collection of Nat Story
Rehomed Rehomed to the Louis Armstrong Center at the Louis Armstrong House Museum. Corona, Queens.