Pete Fountain

George Girard (1930-57) could have been a big star but his life was tragically cut short by cancer. A technically skilled Dixieland/swing trumpeter with an attractive tone and a melodic style a little reminiscent of Thomas Jefferson, he was also a personable and cheerful singer. During 1950-52, Girard led the...

Ironically, nearly all of Fountain’s best recordings, which were made for the Coral label during 1959-65, have yet to be reissued on CD. Standing Room Only has Fountain at the head of an all-star group consisting of some of his favorite musicians. The clarinetist is joined by trumpeter Charlie Teagarden, trombonist Bob Havens, tenor-saxophonist Eddie Miller (on the rare occasions when Fountain played tenor, he sounded very much like Miller), and drummer Nick Fatool plus his regular band members vibraphonist Godfrey Hirsch, pianist Earl Vuiovich, and bassist Oliver Felix.

Chris Owens honored by house float, recounts Pete Fountain Mardi Gras memory