COURTESY OF Rayfus Martin

The Rhythm Aces played to audiences all over southeastern Louisiana and the Gulf Coast from the 1930s to the 1950s. Pictured seated, from left, are saxophone players Eienstein Thomas and Willie Estor Manning. Standing, from left, are: drummer, unknown; trumpet and vocals, Oliver Austin; trumpet, Willie Curtis; saxophone, Henry Sims; and bass, John Otis.