Pete Fountain facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Pete Fountain
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Fountain in 1962
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Pierre Dewey LaFontaine Jr. |
| Born | July 3, 1930 New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Died | August 6, 2016 (aged 86) New Orleans |
| Genres | Jazz, dixieland |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instruments | Clarinet |
| Years active | 1940s–2013 |
| Labels | Coral, Southland |
Pierre Dewey LaFontaine Jr. (born July 3, 1930 – died August 6, 2016), known as Pete Fountain, was a famous American jazz clarinet player. He was known for his smooth and sweet sound, especially when playing Dixieland jazz. Pete Fountain became a well-loved musician, performing for many years and even having his own clubs in New Orleans.
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Early Life and Music Beginnings
Pete Fountain was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. His family name was originally LaFontaine, but his father, who was a truck driver and part-time musician, changed it to Fountain.
When Pete was a child, he had some health problems, especially with his breathing. A doctor suggested that playing a wind instrument might help strengthen his lungs. So, Pete's father took him to a music store. Pete first wanted to play the drums, but his father encouraged him to pick an instrument he had to blow into. Pete chose the clarinet. At first, he couldn't make any sound, but he kept practicing. Not only did he learn to play music, but his lung health also got much better!
Pete took private lessons and also learned jazz by playing along with records of famous clarinetists like Benny Goodman and Irving Fazola. By the time he was a teenager, he was already playing regularly in clubs on Bourbon Street in New Orleans. He once said that his history teacher told him to play music full-time because he was earning more money playing clarinet than the teacher was! This shows how talented he was from a young age.
In 1950, Pete helped start a band called the Basin Street Six with his friend, trumpeter George Girard. After that band, he played with the Dukes of Dixieland and also teamed up with another famous New Orleans musician, Al Hirt.
Playing with Lawrence Welk
Pete Fountain became even more famous when a talent scout saw him play and invited him to join the Lawrence Welk orchestra in Los Angeles. Lawrence Welk had a very popular television show called The Lawrence Welk Show. Pete moved to Los Angeles and played with the orchestra for two years. He was known for his many solos on the show.
Pete eventually left the show because he wanted to play more of his own style of jazz music, which didn't always fit with the show's more traditional style. After leaving, he became very successful, recording many hit albums.
Returning to New Orleans and His Own Clubs
After his time with Lawrence Welk, Pete Fountain returned to his beloved New Orleans. He played with the Dukes of Dixieland again and then started leading his own bands. He even opened his own music clubs in the famous French Quarter of New Orleans during the 1960s and 1970s. Later, he opened "Pete Fountain's Jazz Club" at the Riverside Hilton hotel.
Many famous entertainers visited Pete's clubs, including Frank Sinatra, Jonathan Winters, and Brenda Lee. Sometimes, these stars would even perform with Pete's band! Benny Goodman, another legendary clarinet player, also visited Pete's club.
Pete Fountain had a friendly rivalry with trumpeter Al Hirt, whose club was just down the street. They would sometimes "steal" musicians from each other, but they were also good friends who had grown up playing music together. They even recorded several albums as a duo.
In 2003, Pete closed his club at the Hilton. He continued to perform at a casino in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, for a few years. After having heart surgery in 2006, he still performed at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and helped reopen the casino after Hurricane Katrina. He mostly retired from performing around 2014.
Half-Fast Walking Club
Pete Fountain was also a founder and a very well-known member of the Half-Fast Walking Club. This is a famous marching group that parades in New Orleans on Mardi Gras Day. Pete loved joining his club for the Mardi Gras parade, even after he had been ill.
Pete Fountain's Musical Style
Pete Fountain's clarinet playing was known for its beautiful, smooth, and clear sound. He recorded over 100 albums and CDs during his career. While many of his recordings were in the Dixieland jazz style, some were more like instrumental pop music.
One special thing about Pete's sound was that he used crystal mouthpieces on his clarinet instead of the more common rubber ones. He started using a crystal mouthpiece in 1949. His first crystal mouthpiece was actually given to him by the mother of Irving Fazola, another great clarinet player, after Fazola passed away. She noticed that Pete played a lot like her son.
Pete Fountain led his own band, often called the Pete Fountain Quintett. This band played his unique Creole-style jazz music. Over the years, many talented musicians played in his Quintett.
Personal Life
Pete Fountain was married to Beverly Lang on October 27, 1951. They were married for 65 years until his death. They had two sons, Kevin and Jeffrey, and a daughter, Dahra.
Pete Fountain passed away in his hometown of New Orleans on August 6, 2016, at the age of 86. He had been dealing with heart problems.
Awards and Honors
- In 2006, Loyola University New Orleans gave Pete Fountain an honorary degree.
- On March 18, 2007, Pete Fountain was welcomed into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame.
- On April 5, 2008, Fountain was honored at the Delta Music Museum Festival in Ferriday. A special exhibit was created about him, and he received a star on the museum's "Walk of Fame" sidewalk.
