Jimmy & Jeannie Cheatham Collection

Big Mama Thornton singing into a microphone held close to her mouth; she's wearing a straw hat and facing to the left of the photo.

Big Mama Thornton singing into a microphone; wearing a cowboy hat and sparkly floral patterned shirt; head turned to look over to the right.

Big Mama Thornton holding a microphone close to her face; wearing a cowboy hat, pinstripe suit jacket and looking at the camera smiling.

Charles McPherson playing saxophone into a microphone on stage during the Cheathams' Jam Session in San Diego in 1983; behind him Jimmy Cheatham and part of Dinky Morris can be seen.

Claudia Russell, emcee, speaking in front of a microphone at "An Evening of Note", honoring Jeannie Cheatham, held at the Museum of Making Music's 7th Annual Gala; a drum set is beside her.

Clora Bryant playing trumpet on stage in front of a microphone as part of the Sweet Baby Blues Band.

Unidentified African American man in black African traditional dress speaking into a microphone and pointing; at the Annual National Black Storytelling Festival and Conference in 2006 in San Diego.

Dinky Morris playing saxophone on stage at a night club on Harbor Island, San Diego; he's wearing a tan jacket and a microphone is in front of him and orange streamers above him.

"Doc" Cheatham on stage holding his trumpet while looking at an unidentified man applauding him, also on stage; microphones, a trombone, and a drum set can also be seen.

"Doc" Cheatham on stage playing trumpet in front of a microphone and using a mute; behind him an unidentified drummer playing a blue set of drums and an unidentified double bassist can be see...

Dorothy Donegan playing piano; only part of her hands and the piano are seen; she's facing to the right and wearing a green-striped dress.

Earl "Fatha" Hines in a light colored suit with polka-dot tie on stage holding a microphone and smiling.

Jack Wheaton playing piano with a microphone set up near him; playing and speaking at "An Evening of Note", honoring Jeannie Cheatham, held at the Museum of Making Music's 7th Annual Gala; facing the...

Jay McShann playing piano and looking down at the keys with a microphone mounted near him; photo taken from the other end of the piano between the lid and the insides of the piano.

Jeannie Cheatham at a book signing; standing at a lectern with a microphone and flipping through a copy of her autobiography; bookshelves are seen behind her; she is looking to the side and pointing...

Jeannie Cheatham at a book signing; standing at a lectern with a microphone and flipping through a copy of her autobiography; bookshelves are seen behind her.

Jeannie Cheatham playing at piano with a microphone in front of her; she has a glass of brandy (likely) and sheet music in front of her; she's facing the right of the photo and her eyes are closed...

Jeannie Cheatham playing piano with a microphone set up next to her; side view of her facing the right of the photo; at the Jazz Showcase in Chicago.

Jeannie Cheatham playing piano and singing into a microphone; wearing all red and facing the right of the photo; at the Jazz Showcase in Chicago.

Jeannie Cheatham with microphone holding her Music Maker of the year award shaped like a clef note at "An Evening of Note", honoring Jeannie Cheatham, held at the Museum of Making Music's 7th Annual...

Jeannie Cheatham playing piano and singing into a microphone on stage at an unidentified venue; a vase of flowers is sitting on the piano; she's facing to the right of the photo.

Jeannie Cheatham playing piano with a microphone set up in front of her; side view of her facing the left of the photo and from a lower level looking up; at "An Evening of Note", honoring Jeannie...

Jeannie Cheatham playing piano with head tilted back and eyes closed in front of a microphone at the South Dakota State University North County Library while playing with Jimmy Cheatham and the Sweet...

Jeannie Cheatham seated at a piano with a microphone in front of her; she's turned to look beyond the piano at a sign reading "Jeannie Cheatham & The Sweet Baby Blues Band"; at "An Evening of Note"...

Jeannie Cheatham seated in front of a piano with her back to it with her head turned to look to the right of the photograph; "An Evening of Note", honoring Jeannie Cheatham, held at the Museum of...