Pete Fountain

Biography

Pete Fountain, born Pierre Dewey LaFontaine, Jr. on July 3, 1930, in New Orleans, Louisiana, was a celebrated American clarinetist renowned for his contributions to jazz, Dixieland, and swing music. As a child, Fountain suffered from chronic respiratory ailments, and on a doctor's advice, his father bought him a clarinet to strengthen his lungs—a decision that would shape his life and career. By his teens, Fountain was already performing regularly in New Orleans nightclubs, playing alongside phonograph records of jazz greats like Benny Goodman and Irving Fazola to hone his craft.

Fountain's career blossomed in the vibrant New Orleans jazz scene, where he played with bands such as Monk Hazel's and co-founded the Basin Street Six with trumpeter George Girard in 1950. After a stint with the Dukes of Dixieland in Chicago, he returned to New Orleans and formed a band with Al Hirt. His national fame soared when he joined the Lawrence Welk Orchestra in Los Angeles, becoming a household name through his featured solos on 'The Lawrence Welk Show.' After leaving Welk's orchestra in 1959, Fountain returned to New Orleans, opened his own jazz club, and recorded over 40 albums, many of which became bestsellers and helped popularize Dixieland jazz across America.

Fountain's warm, lyrical clarinet style and commitment to New Orleans traditions made him a beloved figure in American music. His legacy endures through his recordings, his influence on generations of jazz musicians, and his role in keeping the spirit of New Orleans jazz alive for audiences worldwide.

Fun Facts

• Fountain began playing clarinet on a doctor’s recommendation to help his childhood respiratory problems.
• He was rumored to have left The Lawrence Welk Show after a disagreement about 'jazzing up' a Christmas carol, though his autobiography gives a more nuanced account.
• Fountain’s club in the French Quarter became one of the largest and most famous jazz venues in New Orleans.
• Three of his albums each sold more than half a million copies, a remarkable feat for a jazz artist.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Benny Goodman - Stylistic influence; Fountain learned jazz by playing along with Goodman's records as a youth. (Practiced with Goodman’s recordings) [1940s]
• Irving Fazola - Stylistic influence; Fountain emulated Fazola’s clarinet style early in his development. (Practiced with Fazola’s recordings) [1940s]

Key Collaborators

• George Girard - Co-founded the Basin Street Six jazz band. (Basin Street Six) [1950-1954]
• Al Hirt - Co-led a band and performed an extended residency at Dan Levy’s Pier 600. (Pier 600 residency) [mid-1950s]
• Lawrence Welk - Featured soloist in the Lawrence Welk Orchestra on national television. (The Lawrence Welk Show) [1957-1959]
• Monk Hazel - Performed in Hazel’s band early in his career. (Live performances) [late 1940s]

Artists Influenced

• Tim Laughlin - Clarinetist from New Orleans who has cited Fountain as a major influence on his style and approach. (Various jazz recordings) [1980s–present]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. You're Nobody 'Til Somebody Loves You
2. A Closer Walk (Pete Fountain's New Orleans)
3. Stranger On The Shore
4. Lazy River (Pete Fountain Ultimate Collection)
5. Just a Closer Walk With Thee (New Orleans Jazz Collection - French Quarter Favorites)
6. No Eres Nadie Hasta Que Alguien Te Ama (Mood Indigo)
7. Walking Through New Orleans (Mr. New Orleans)
8. Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans (Pete Fountain's New Orleans)
9. Basin Street Blues (Pete Fountain's New Orleans)
10. Lazy River - Remastered (Anthology: The Definitive Collection (Remastered))

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia
• MusicBrainz

Tags: #jazz