Title: Tim Kelly papers, 1923-1982
Arrangement
The collection consists of four series that are arranged chronologically by decade: I. Clippings, correspondence and other papers, II. Telegrams, III. Photographs and IV. Restricted fragile.
Administrative/Biographical History
Tim Kelly (1905-1990) also known as E. Tim Kelly was born Edward Timothy Kelly in Lockhart, Mississippi. He grew up in Marshall, Texas where he began playing clarinet professionally in 1922 with a local band called The Melody Three. He performed with a number of musicians, bands and orchestras throughout his career including the Ham Crawford trio, Buddies Blue Melody Boys, Duncan-Marin Southern Entertainers, Louisiana Ramblers, Bob Crosby and the Bobcats, the World’s Greatest Jazz Band, and the Doc Ross Band where he made a lifelong friend in jazz trombonist, Jack Teagarden. He also performed in radio show broadcasts in Texas where he would advertise his dances in nearby towns. By the late 1920s, Kelly embarked on a second career in sales for the music industry. He worked at Werlein’s Music Store in New Orleans, Brown’s Music Co. Werlein’s in Jackson, Mississippi as well as Allegrezza Piano Co. in Ridgeland, Mississippi. Kelly continued to play clarinet with local bands in Jackson and was instrumental in forming the New Bourbon Street Jazz Society.
