"The Houstonians," Newspaper Articles - Page 9, November 1, 1948 and October 30

Item

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

From the Collection:

The materials in this collection are composed of two boxes.

Box 1 is composed of Charles Lee Hill's scrapbook and photographs of the musical group "The Houstonians."

Box 2 is composed of biographical materials and photographs about Charles Lee Hill's life and music career. As well as biographical materials about his grandfather W.T. Hill's life and time spent in the American Civil War as a Confederate officer.

Dates

Creation: November 1, 1948 and October 30

Biographical / Historical

Claude Lakey, a Texas native, was known as a top alto saxophonist and one of the country's top swingsters. Along with being a saxophonist, Lakey was a trumpeter and an arranger. He played with several famous musicians and band leaders such as Joe Rivet, Orrin Tucker, Ben Young, Glenn Miller, Harry James, Frankie Laine, Bobby Sherwood, and Gene Krupa.

During World War II, Lakey served in the U.S. Army, he was a member of several bands.

In 1947, Lakey enrolled at North Texas State Teachers College (now the University of North Texas) for the college's inaugural year of the first jazz degree program offered in the world. In 1949, Lakey became the first conductor of the Laboratory Dance Band (later known as the One O'Clock Band) when he was a student. A request from Gene Hall, the jazz program’s founding director.

In 1963, Claude founded Claude Lakey Mouthpieces, Inc., a maker of woodwind mouthpieces. In 1990, he sold the company to Nicholas D. Bogden. The company is now called Claude Lakey Woodwinds, located in Seattle, Washington.

Extent

1 Sheets (In a clear archival sleeve.) : Tan sheet of paper with three newspaper article clippings attached. Handwritten text in blue ink.

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Physical Description

There are three newspaper article clippings.

The first newspaper article is from November 1, 1948 and has the title "Music Department Adds New First, Swing Band Clinic." The article discusses a new swing band clinic hosted by Sam Houston State Teachers College and taught by Claude Lakey, a top alto saxophone player from North Texas State Teachers College.

The second newspaper article is from November 1, 1948, and has the title, "College Jivesters Instructed By Lakey In First Swing Clinic." The article discusses SHSTC's first swing band clinic taught by Claude Lakey and further discusses the activities of the clinic. The article also provides insight into Claude Lakey's musical career.

The third newspaper article is from the Rice Institute Paper and has the title, "Sadie's Last Chance Is Tonight, Large Orchestra Slated." The article was published on October 30th, year unknown. The article discusses the dance "Sadie's Last Chance Dance" hosted by the Girls Club at Blossom Heath with "The Houstonians" performing.