Pete Fountain, New Orleans' clarinet-playing musical ambassador, dies at 86

NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune ^ | 8/6/16 | John Pope, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune

[BBell]

Pete Fountain, whose easygoing, apparently effortless style on the clarinet and his perpetually sunny disposition made him a natural ambassador for New Orleans, died Saturday in New Orleans. He was 86.

Other details were not available. Mr. Fountain, who was in hospice care, had been in poor health in recent years, suffering a stroke and undergoing heart surgery.

Unlike other musicians whose lives were marked by marital strife, substance abuse and run-ins with the law, Mr. Fountain lived a blissful existence with Beverly Fountain, his wife of 64 years, and a sizable number of children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

A regular on television, especially "The Lawrence Welk Show" in the 1950s and "The Tonight Show" when Johnny Carson was the host, Mr. Fountain had a club of his own on Bourbon Street and, later, in the New Orleans Hilton.

In addition to recording 50 albums and playing on 44 more, Mr. Fountain played "Just a Closer Walk With Thee" at the Mass that Pope John Paul II celebrated on the Lakefront in September 1987. After hearing Mr. Fountain, Al Hirt and Ronnie Kole perform, the pope was heard to say, "I have always heard about the beautiful music of New Orleans. Today I have been able to hear it and admire it personally."

[BBell]

This guy is a legend down here.

Pete Fountain People Health Economy Hall at the New Orleans Jazz Fest Sunday, May 5, 2013. (Photo by David Grunfeld, Nola.com | The Times-Picayune)

[dfwgator]

A true icon of New Orleans. RIP

[Liberty Valance]

Rest in peace. One of the greats.

[MUDDOG]

He’ll never die in the virtual world, like Vic Fontaine.

[Mears]

My husband and I were big Pete Fountain fans,

These days we have JayZ and Eminem.:-(

.

[Victor]

RIP Mr. Fountain- a true musical virtuoso and gift to the world.

[fieldmarshaldj]

RIP.

[BBell]

The man Squidward could never be.

[USMCPOP]

Here’s a good one, Basin Street Blues.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61WTC4vTot0

[gigster]

Probably unfortunately for me, I’ve heard of him but never listened to a note of his music. I grew up in Detroit, and we listened to Motown and the local musicians such as Seger, Mitch Ryder, Alice Cooper, Grand Funk, Ted Nugent, the English invasion, and dozens of other groups and musicians. RIP Pete Fountain.

[stayathomemom]

I grew up in Detroit...

I just posted this on another thread:

I saw him play at a Jazz festival in downtown Detroit about 42 years ago. I went with some high school friends who played the clarinet. I had no idea who he was.

[OwenKellogg]

One of my Dad’s favorites. Thanks for the music. Rest in Peace.

[tob2]

I’ve always loved his music. I had a trip to New Orleans many, many years ago and remember sitting in the shaded courtyard behind his establishment, having a drink and enjoying the music.R.I.P.

[dadfly]

now he belongs to the ages. fantastic jazz man. RIP.

[brianr10]

He was on Johnny Carson a lot.

[mumblypeg]

Well get yourself some records and listen!
Don’t miss out !
Pete is one of the all time greats.

[NCC-1701]

I was at the Papal Mass in New Orleans in 1987 and heard him play “Just a Closer Walk With Thee”. It was beautiful and I still remember it. Al Hirt was good, too. I’ve seen Pete Fountain several times on Johnny Carson’s show and to finally be in the same arena with him was special. A truly memorable evening. R.I.P. Pete.

[gigster]

Well get yourself some records and Listen! Records?? What are these records you speak of ? Just kidding. I used to be a guitar and bass player, and am into classic and progressive rock, having grown up in Detroit. I like woodwind instruments but don't identify with the music, being a man of the 60's, 70's, and 80's. Maybe I'll youtube Pete Fountain and give him a listen. He probably deserves that, at least.

[Victor]

It's your interest that matters...Pete Fountain played on the level of Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw, and all the other great clarinetists of the world.

Your handle- gigster- are you a musician? It would figure because of your interest in truly great musicians.

[gigster]

Your handle-gigster-Are you a musician? Yes I am , or used to be a musician. I started at upright bass in the early 70's, and graduated to electric bass, then electric guitar for over twenty years. However , in 2012,in a case of gross negligence and incompetence by a doctor, gave me a stroke and paralyzed my left, or fretting hand. So, I can't be a practicing musician anymore, nor can I type very well.