Mousey Alexander

Who was Mousey Alexander?

Elmer "Mousey" Alexander was an American jazz drummer.

Born in Gary, Indiana, Alexander studied at the Roy Knapp School in Chicago. 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.