Klarinet Archive - Posting 000769.txt from 1995/05

From: John Baetens <JSBtens@-----.COM>
Subj: Re: Vito clarinets: good or e...
Date: Fri, 26 May 1995 20:04:01 -0400

Okay, this is the story of the relationship between Vitoclarinets
and the Leblanc company. This could get a little lengthy,
so I apoligize in advance.
The roots of the Leblanc company can be traced back to 1750,
when D. Noblet was founded in France. Many people credit
Noblet's work in refining early woodwind manufacturing
techniques as the major factor in the rise of the French as being
the premiere manufacturer of woodwind instruments.
In 1904 Georges Leblanc, a descendant of a long line of instrument makers,
bought out the Noblet company. After WW I, Georges
and his son Leon organized the Leblanc company around Noblet.
When Leon took over the company, it prospered and grew
tremendously. Leon was also an accomplished clarinettist, winner
of the coveted first prize of the Paris Conservatoire.
Meanwhile, in Kenosha, Wisconsin, a young man named Vito
Pascucci became fascinated with the intricate keywork of the
clarinet and became a repair technician. He brought this skill
with him to Europe during WW II as he served as an instrument
repairman for Glenn Miller's Army Air Corps Band. It was here
that he met Leon Leblanc, who taught Vito many manufacturing techniques.
After the war, Vito went back to Kenosha and founded the
Leblanc Company of America as a quality-control station for the inspection
and reassembly of musical instruments imported from France. This soon grew
into a large company and eventually into
the nine brand corporation that serves a world market today.
In 1989, management of the entire Leblanc Company was
assumed by Vito. So the man who gave the Vito clarinet its
namesake is now running the entire Leblanc Corporation!
That is the Leblanc story. I would be interested to hear the
Buffet story if anyone knows it and would care to contribute.