MS 55
Bean, Floyd
Papers, 1918-1974, n.d.

Special Collections Department
403 Parks Library
Iowa State University
Ames, IA 50011-2140

Descriptive summary

creator:

Bean, Floyd (1904-1974)

title:

Papers

dates:

1918-1974, n.d.

extent:

4.61 linear ft.

collection number:

MS 55

repository:

Special Collections Department, Iowa State University.

 

Administrative information

access:

Open for research

publication rights:

Consult Head, Special Collections Department

preferred citation:

Floyd Bean Papers, MS 55, Special Collections Department, Iowa State University Library.

 

Biographical note
 
Floyd Bean was born in 1904 in Ladora, Iowa. He started playing drums for the Grinnell High School Band but soon turned to the piano. He took his first job in 1918 at the Linwood (Iowa) Inn on the Mississippi River, south of Davenport, where he played with Bix Beiderbecke in 1923. Floyd played in several local bands and worked for WOC radio in Davenport before landing his first big job in 1939 in Chicago as a pianist with the Bob Crosby Band. Bean cut four sides with Timmy McPartland's band that autumn. He cut several albums including his "I Never Thought I'd Sing the Blues" between 1939 and 1950. During this period he also cut his best known record with Muggsy Spanier, called "Back Room Blues," later changed to "Lazy Piano Man." He spent the last thirteen years of his life playing at various jazz festivals and local spots in Cedar Rapids. Bean died in Cedar Rapids in 1974.

 

 

Container list

A container list is available in the Special Collections Department, 403 Parks Library.

 
Descriptive summary   |  Administrative information  |  Biographical/Historical note
 Collection description  |  Description of series/container list

Iowa State University Library, Ames, IA 50011
Comments: tzanish@iastate.edu
URL: http://www.lib.iastate.edu/spcl/manuscripts/MS055.html