Legendary jazz clarinetist Pete Fountain dead at 86

Posted by | August 7, 2016 09:55 | Filed under: Media/Show Business

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Fountain was known via his appearances on the Lawrence Welk and Johnny Carson television shows.

The cause was heart failure, said Benny Harrell, Mr. Fountain’s son-in-law.

Mr. Fountain was a mainstay of the New Orleans music scene for more than six decades, a familiar sight at Mardi Gras and the annual Jazz and Heritage Festival. And the appeal of his high-spirited brand of Dixieland stretched far beyond New Orleans, especially after he began appearing on “The Lawrence Welk Show” in 1957.

His outgoing musical style made an odd fit with the sedate “Champagne music” of Mr. Welk’s orchestra — Mr. Fountain often noted that Champagne and bourbon did not mix — but the combination was a hit with viewers, and his segments became a staple of the show. In later years he was also a frequent guest on Mr. Carson’s “Tonight” show.

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By: Alan

Alan Colmes is the publisher of Liberaland.

9 responses to Legendary jazz clarinetist Pete Fountain dead at 86

  1. amongoose August 7th, 2016 at 11:51

    Gonna miss ya dude, loved those Jackson Square Mardi Gras open air gigs.

  2. Larry Schmitt August 7th, 2016 at 11:56

    He appeared on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson many times, and I tried to watch every time. I still love listening to him.

  3. Chris August 7th, 2016 at 15:12

    He and Al Hirt, who passed away in 1999, did a lot for New Orleans jazz.

    RIP

  4. leDaver August 7th, 2016 at 21:20

    When I was 14, learning to play the clarinet, I saved up to buy a couple of his albums. What an inspiration! I could only dream of playing as well as he did.

  5. bpollen August 8th, 2016 at 00:12

    I”m not much of a jazz fan, but always loved Mr. Fountain.

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