[Dixielandjazz] Re: Kenton Mellophoniums

[Bill Haesler]

Dear friends,
Although Gary Kiser referred to the Kenton mellophoniums (modified
mellophones, I believe) and Elazar moved on to mellophones, we can't really
let the subject drop without mentioning the greatest jazz mellophonist (did
I just invent that word?) of them all - Dudley Fosdick (1902-1957).
He started with the his brother's band, the Hoosiers (1922-23) worked with
bands led by Red Nichols, Ted Weems (variously from 1925), the Melody
Artists (1926), Tommy Gott (1927), Don Voorhees (1928), Roger Wolfe Kahn
then into the studios in the early 1930s. He joined Guy Lombardo for about
10 years in 1936, then went back to the studios.
So why do we need to know about him?.
Because of his great recordings and magnificent solos, made over this
period, with the Hoosiers, Ted Weems, Red Nichols Five Pennies, Irving Mills
Hotsy Totsy Gang, Miff Mole and Roger Wolfe Kahn. Many available on LP and
CD.
Quite a lot to look for and (as would be expected) all well-represented in
my collection.
Listmate Done Ingle will have known Mr Fosdick, as he was with Ted Weems
when Don's dad, Red Ingle, joined them.
Come on Don, how about a few straight-from-the-horse's-mouth stories?
Kind regards,
Bill.