Oklahoma Musicians

The people who made the music.

Explore musical lives and ensemble accounts, with the sources behind each record.

A Salute to Black American Jazz at the state capitol, 1981.
Jimmie NelsonA Salute to Black American Jazz at the state capitol, 1981.Oklahoma Historical Society / The Gateway to Oklahoma History · Original source

People at the heart of musical life.

Explore the photographs →

Photographs preserve names, places and moments. Follow each image into its source account and the wider musical history.

A Salute to Black American Jazz at the state capitol, 1981.
Jimmie NelsonA Salute to Black American Jazz at the state capitol, 1981.Oklahoma Historical Society / The Gateway to Oklahoma History · Original source
The Oklahoma Journal photograph captioned “Mr. Guitar,” 1969.
Burford JacksonThe Oklahoma Journal photograph captioned “Mr. Guitar,” 1969.Oklahoma Historical Society / The Gateway to Oklahoma History · Original source
Gene Thrailkill and Bert Gillespie prepare percussion equipment, 1977.
Behind the Pride of OklahomaGene Thrailkill and Bert Gillespie prepare percussion equipment, 1977.Oklahoma Historical Society / The Gateway to Oklahoma History · Original source

Individual musicians, ensemble histories, and recognition accounts offer different perspectives. Similar names remain separate until their identities and relationships are supported by evidence.

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