Klarinet Archive - Posting 001099.txt from 1999/11

From: David Blumberg <reedman@-----.com>
Subj: [kl] Re: Frank Wells Information on Frank Wells:
Date: Mon, 29 Nov 1999 21:57:38 -0500

DPhilpot@-----.com Date: Mon, 29 Nov 1999 12:48:18 EST Subject: Re: [kl] Re:
Frank Wells Information on Frank Wells: Frank began work as a clarinet
mouthpiece maker when he became part of the Stowell-Wells-Schneider company
in the early 1950's. He was a machinist and trumpet player. Jerry Stowell
of the Chicago Symphony funded the company and tested the product for
quality and consistency. I remember meeting Schneider, who seemed like a
real grump, during an early visit to their company (1954?) but I do not
think he remained with the company terribly long. Sometime in the 60's I
think, Wells and Stowell broke up the company with Wells keeping the
equipment. Wells simply filed the other two names off the mouthpiece
trademark stamp, so some of the early Wells mps. still had a faint trace of
the other two names. Frank had shops in several locations north of the loop
and for a time was in Schilke's building on S. Wabash. His last location
was indeed at the Saxophone Shop in Evanston. The blanks were original
designs made by Babbitt with Stowell's input. Early blanks were rather
short, later ones longer, but common to all was a longer, narrower chamber
and smaller bore, supposedly moving in the direction of the German blank.
Wells died about 3 years ago and the Saxophone Shop disposed of this
equipment and remaining inventory. I have this for an address if you would
like to contact his widow if she is still alive and living there, for more
information: 14514 Wallace, Riverdale, Ill, 849-2015. Doug P.

--------------------------------

I often play with Jerry's daughter, a Cellist. Jerry passed away a couple
of years ago also.

David Blumberg
music@-----.com
http://www.mytempo.com
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