Eugene Jelesnik (1914-1999) was born in Alexandrovsk, Ukraine on March 19, 1914, to Jacob and Jenny Jelesnik, a Jewish Ukranian family. Jenny and Eugene immigrated to the United States in 1925 after Jacob’s death; they lived in New York before settling in Utah. In Utah, Eugene met Virginia Bell Washburn; the two married in 1938. After Virginia’s death, Eugene Jelesnik married Carleen Hall Brown in 1994.
A violinist, composer, and conductor, Jelesnik studied with the New York Philharmonic after his immigration to the United States. In Utah, he founded the Salt Lake Philharmonic Orchestra, which he served as conductor of. In addition to his work with the orchestra, Jelesnik was host of the weekly television show Talent Showcase for Utah's KSL for 34 years, and served as a broker who arranged numerous musicians and performers to give shows in Utah. Jelesnik also gave shows to the United States military worldwide, including two tours in Vietnam. For his work with the military, Jelesnik received the Silver Medal Citation, Bronze Medal in Vietnam and the Civilian Service Award Ribbon from the War Department for his service in Italy during World War II. Jelesnik received numerous other awards for his work in the arts, including: the 1981 George Washington Medal of Honor; the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce Music and Arts Award; and the 1983 Presidential Citation from Brigham Young University. Eugene Jelesnik died on February 16, 1999.
The Eugene Jelesnik photograph collection consists of 1 box containing 59 black-and-white photographs of entertainers, musicians, and bands dating from the 1950s. The collection contains primarily publicity photographs, and depicts performers that Jelesnik arranged to perform in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Arranged by subject
Twenty-four hour advanced notice encouraged. Materials must be used on-site. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.
It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances.
Permission to publish material from the Eugene Jelesnik photograph collection must be obtained from the Special Collections Manuscript Curator.
Donated by Tony Weller in 2007.
Processed by Special Collections staff.
See also the Eugene Jelesnik papers (ACCN 2339) in the Manuscripts Division of Special Collections