Pete Fountain and Al Hirt encore finale at Wolf Trap 1979

[@patrickreninger5044]

This show changed my life. This waa most heartfelt passionate music my 9 year self had ever heard. I took a cheap tape player and pressed it to a speaker to capture every note and rushed around the house in elation hours after this closing number. i am 55, have been a semi-professional musician for several decades. Often I wonder why I play perform at bars, get home at the wee hours of the morning, why I felt at odds from my peers who listened to the hard rock that failed to touch me, thanks for this reminder.

[@bobdillaber1195]

I'm in total agreement with you. This has to be the most inspired musical performance I've ever seen and I'm 80 and music has been a huge part of my life! I wish I had this on vinyl or CD or something so I could play it loud at home every morning I woke up! No better way to start a day!!!

[@me4play]

Same here. I like the music I play because it's fun to perform with my band.... but there is nothing like these two...Playing this music 45 years later...

[@bobdillaber1195]

@@me4play I love watching their facial expressions, how they react to each other, their body language, how much they enjoy and appreciate the other. And that synergy created a truly inspired performance! Wow. I bet I've watched this video 50 times and never get tired of it. And of course all the other musicians adding background and drama were hugely a part of it. I bet every one of those musicians on stage that night NEVER forgot it.

[@ApartmentKing66]

Same here. My buddies were all into Van Halen, Metallica, Krokus, and Foreigner, while I was into Goodman, Dorseys, Count Basie, Stan Kenton, Ray Conniff, and many other bands.

[@davetrayford]

Damn Straight !

[@ericmarks6322]

The two finest musicians ever from New Orleans, hands down!

[@NOWOKEXYZ]

ABSOLUTELY! BAR NONE!

[@thegreatdominion949]

Even including Louis Armstrong and Sidney Bechet?

[@ericmarks6322]

@@thegreatdominion949 Would throw in Fats Domino as the third in this triple threat.

[@tboneholt]

Bob Havens was no slouch either!

[@davetrayford]

Hard to dismiss the pioneer, Mr. Louis "Satch" Armstrong ! Imagine all of them in a trio playing Dixie! Winton Marsalis and Harry Connick are no slouches, either ! Then there are the Nevilles and....

[@xapie128]

KZbin needs a "WOW!" button!

[@davidwesley2525]

KZbin needs another button , The AWESOME Button. 🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩💘💘💘💘💘💘💘

[@dr.billdimino96]

As aTrumpet player myself. I believe Al Hirt was the best and most gifted Trumpeter of all time !

[@ApartmentKing66]

An interesting phenomenon took place in the early to mid-60s when Herb Alpert and his Tijuana Brass were huge. Al Hirt's albums had "He's The King" in tiny print in between his first and last name.

[@robertschultz1698]

@@ApartmentKing66 Two totally different trumpet players. Herb Alpert was essentially a producer. He was not remotely close to Al Hirt in talent.

[@robertschultz1698]

Wynton Marsalis is at least as good and like Al Hirt can play everything from Jazz to Classical.

[@Frenchy3055]

What about Doc Severinson???

[@anthonyfernandes3853]

Al Hirt the greatest ever I regret not seeing him play one if my greatest regrets ever​@@robertschultz1698

[@cedenson1ify]

Basin Street Blues ... Saw these greats when I just turned 13 in NOLA while in town to see King Tut with my Mom & her brother. Told Mr. Hurt I had a Doc Severinson Getzen trumpet and he told me I got robbed... Then he told me kid... Practice... And I did. Played for weddings and Taps @ Funerals... Mr. Fountain use to come to the Casinos in Mississippi & play all the time... GIANTS & GENTLEMEN OF THE INDUSTRY!! 🇺🇸🇬🇪

[@bobdillaber1195]

A beautiful example of how two Master Artists without ego help each other to rise to new heights. Pete has been my hero for 65 years.

[@stephenmosgrove6559]

Indeed, yes. The traditional jazz form is rooted in togetherness and teamwork. No ego....That's the TRUE New Orleans way. May we be able to defend and preserve that way.

[@garyrasberryjr.552]

They were the best of friends. Any rivalry was a friendly one (their clubs were fairly close to each other, would trade band members and one would show up at the other's place and they'd play).

[@josephkingston9252]

Pete lived about 2 miles from me in cedar point in bay st. Louis, i use to pass his pier from time to time and watch him relax at the end of his pier, i played clarinet in the high school band, pete was esteemed in my heart as the best in the world clarinettetest , he squalled the blues out of it like no one else could. A clarinette has its own blues squall that no other instrument on the planet can match. He got hidden sounds out of it that were silent and hidden from human ears until he picked it up and mastered it, he lived a full life in the lights of the entertainment world, pete was vintage to the vibe, you knew at his concerts you were going to be served a full plate of some of the best music anyone could hear, he was new orleans through and through, he was one of the main ingredients that helped popularize the city. New Orleans residents were proud of pete fountain. Out of new orleans comes some of the greatest musicians in the world.

[@rengarcia5189]

The amount of greatness on that stage is staggering. There will never be anouth Al Hirt and Pete Fountain

[@dilshaddealwis2212]

What brilliant musicians. What great Ambassador’s they were for American Jazz music. Thank you for posting. My Dad travelled from Sri Lanka to experience a childhood dream of experiencing Jazz music at its best. He hopped onto a gray hound and travelled across from Boston to New Orleans for an experience of a lifetime. He described it as “a child in a candy store”. Thanks to him I have some wonderful discs of Al Hurt and Pete Fountain which I listen to frequently. Thank you from Sri Lanka.

[@deenibeeniable]

That is an incredible story!

[@jimbarrett297]

P⁰0⁰000000000

[@bwiggs6]

There are many many good ones out there now, but there will never be any better than these two were together.

[@sooz9433]

Two staples of my past... God Bless them both. Soundtrack of my youth 🎼🖤

[@faulk411]

Al and Pete will always be the best friends that time never fully appreciated. They left us with a great gift to remember them by in these videos.

[@Philinspaces]

Two greats having a conversation in music, man they loved to talk! So fine.

[@federalist46]

The two greatest jazz musicians of all time.....bar none.

[@joadie415]

Two of the best of our New Orleans musicians!

[@davidwesley2525]

Don't forget Louis Armstrong & Fats Domino. 🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩💖💖💖💖💖💖💖

[@billtimmes2136]

I love the way they complement each other and not compete against each other. That’s true New Orleans Jazz.

[@alivemamacass]

OMG. Two of the greatest together. I'm older than dirt. Love this.

[@salliepine1210]

This is the soul of NO, from one who admired as she grew up in Baton Rouge. I took up clarinet in 5th grade owing to Pete. Love this, thank you!

[@anthonymongelli5567]

Nothing on this planet 🌍 that can compare to this 👍🏼👏🇺🇸🥲😎🇺🇸🎉😄💕 Bravo Brothers R.I.P. Amen and Amen

[@DonnieReno]

I watched that concert on TV back then and I was in awe!

[@jimluff7520]

It doesn't get any better than that!!

[@wolfgangweber2813]

The ultimate CLIMAX OF DIXIELAND. , performed in perfection by 2 of the best musicians of JAZZ!

[@bobdillaber1195]

You said it!

[@marionburns2415]

I'll echo dipsy friday - pure joy indeed ! Listening to my CDs of their music this morning. Nothing brightens a grey Canadian winter day than a few hours of those two - I'll be jazzing through the chores ! Thanks for all that wonderful music !

[@joebowen1589]

I played jam sessions with many of the great jazz musicians over the years incl many who played with Pete Fountain, Al Hurt, Peanuts Hucko, Murphy Campo, Jack Jones, Jimmy Denham, Bob Cates & many others. I only played music as a sideline but I knew all these guys & Murphy Campo, & Peanuts Hucko would sit in with various jazz groups from time to time. Most of these guys have passed on now but I'll never forget them & the great talent they had.

[@rasulaliev7551]

What mouthpiece uses Pete?... it's great

[@vivienneliu6706]

@@rasulaliev7551 On a Crystal OBrien at first then broke it. I repaired it but made him 3 more that were better. He played on a reed strength of about 2.25 at most. I could not play his set up but made reeds for him thru the 80s and on.......Great Clarinetist!

[@artguti1551]

I'm a music lover...I just came across old albums of Fountain, Hurt, Hucko, Campo, J Jones...etc. What other guys should I look out for? (I also saw the Three Suns)

[@salliepine1210]

Wow, what an experience. These two are my favorites, but who was the most fun to play for?

[@cjrrun]

True talents. Must be having some jam session now to make up for lost time. Rest in Peace

[@patrickphelan2839]

I grew up listening to these Masters. They each gave their music such joy. Thanks.

[@ethelbaldwin1502]

Doesn't get any better than this!!

[@joto747]

I can't get enough of Pete Fountain. I love the guy. I only wished I had seen him live.

[@280z318i]

Scary good! The best of New Orleans jazz.

[@bwiggs6]

You can't teach this kind of sound, you either have it or you don't. Those two certainly had it for many many years.

[@wayward4657]

They are a perfect duo.

[@rickfoster4827]

Still the greatest, and unsurpassed.

[@bettyklemensich7564]

Yes I'm listening again to these two GREAT musicians!!!!!

[@davetrayford]

FANTASTIC ! Christmas Eve present to me from KZbin. Huge fan of both former "heavyweight" virtuoso Dixie performers, Al & Pete, but never saw/heard this performance before tonight! They just "wore out" their horns with all that Dixie work...excellent accompanying band, as well ! Damn, I must have been working or going to HS and/or playing in the HS Jazz Band or playing golf on the HS team to have missed this in 1979. Great to get it now !

[@marksnschwartz7190]

You should have seen them talking to one another. Without their axes, they were nearly struck dumb - they were so used to talking through their horns! While I am kidding, of course, the way the two “parlayed” was a thing of beauty to behold! Almost all of what they did was utterly impromptu. They simply reacted to one another and the rest of the band kept up almost miraculously. Whether you play bebop, swing, Dixieland/trad Jazz, free jazz or whatever - it just doesn’t get much better than this. Consider the endless hours of practice went into their technical facility. Anyone who got to see them live was forever blessed!

[@edwardmorton6691]

I'm hooked. Can't stop listening to this and admiring their skill. Sheer class.

[@chewbaccamcgrath5576]

I wish New Orleans still had artists like this...

[@rolandrd7001]

Legends at there craft it will never pass this way again!!!!!!!!

[@WilliamCerf]

Thanks for posting this. Pete Fountain and Al Hirt are two of my all time favorites

[@robbiannms]

Nothing short of legendary.

[@johnhowieson3559]

I well remember when my mom had a 1972 Ford “Maverick” with a huge bunch of her favourite music of Al Hirt! So much fun!

[@thomassicard3733]

These guys are so the real deal. Professional French hornist for years, but now play trumpet and absolutely LOVE Al Hirt!

[@kathitorres1]

Amazing! Love these guys. I miss them.

[@amparearep]

I was going through my dad’s record collection and saw these two. Wow - just wow. This music is so beautiful and pure - brings tears to my eyes.

[@salliepine1210]

The hear and soul of NO, even before this performance. Grew up in Baton Rouge, loving this. Thank you.

[@HevyDuty2ok]

How fortunate we are to have enjoyed the likes of these guys!!

[@YAMISOOLD2009]

Thank you for posting this. I am 49 and grew up listening to my parent's Al Hirt records. I was inspired by him and Herb Alpert to play the trumpet and it got me through high school and college. I also had a Pete Fountain record and to see them together like this is something I didn't think I would get to see since there is relatively little footage of Al on the net. This was precious.

[@crazyhawk59]

Miss you, Al. Pete, you are the best. Rest well, brother.

[@cyannscott877]

AMEN!

[@kkampy4052]

Johnny Carson had both of these guys on at one time or another, thank you Johnny for exposing us to a wide variety of music.

[@davetrayford]

Johnny was a good drummer and Jazz lover...he had both on many times!

[@robertlafnear4865]

SWEET... The BEST of the BEST ! ....in this world.

[@23Josilee]

Fantastic! Both of these great musicians are among my LP albums...treasures!

[@marvinmuonekejazz]

What a performance! And what a crowd too! They were just begging for more!

[@bettyklemensich7564]

Two of the all-time greats!!!!

[@sub1maz2]

Gigantes del mejor tiempo de la musica instrumental, otro regalo que nos dio 6.20, Ciudad de Mexico, 1960s. La orquesta es formidable, el baterista tambien "juega" con los grandes.

[@MontanaMirage]

Two great artists. Two great human beings. Beautiful!

[@jackwar8779]

Both New Orleans boys!!

[@oliemueller3951]

What a treat to hear this never will they be again.

[@mikekenney1947]

Saw these two stars often in NOLA. They really liked each other and ruled Mardi Gras

[@MrGlenn225]

WOW. Two musical giants. Amazing! Thank. you for posting this.

[@stevefredrick8678]

This is beautiful, it's a shame more people don't love this video.

[@thalisk.5763]

Faith in humanity restored.

[@thalisk.5763]

He's a legend. He'll live on forever just like Benny, Artie, Miles, Lee, Luis, Chet...

[@bbordelon2]

Stirs my local New Orleans sensibilities...so deeply satisfying from two local boys!

[@jackwar8779]

Al will always be the "KING".....

[@joesell2565]

Before, during, and after 'Elvis'.

[@thomasfox6961]

Two greats!! It doesn't get any better than this!

[@bugler1304]

Look up "monster trumpet player" in the dictionary and you will Al Hirt's picture there!!! He was just plain AWESOME!! R. I. P.....he's giving Joshua lessons, no doubt!!!!

[@leonmaliniak]

There are many great clarinetists and many great musicians in general, but what set Pete Fountain apart is that he had a great stage presence and personality and his sound was very identifiable because he had such powerful phrasing and tone.

[@vivienneliu6706]

He played on large bore clarinet and had a great cystal mpc to go with it. Of course, his clarinet was not ordinary at all.

[@giuseppeamato6422]

Viene la pelle d'oca, musica divina che ti entra nell'anima.GRANDI IMMORTALI

[@howardlux5719]

The best duo ever!

[@macbrian1703]

I was doing a Sunday jazz brunch in Orange Beach AL in the mid 90's. Playing with hangover and on auto pilot a guy came up to the band stand and said something I didn't really hear, I just said thanks and shook his hand. The band leader looked at me laughing and said "did you know who that was"? I said no, "that was Pete Fountian man! Great time foundered, live and learn.

[@lauriekinder5248]

Brilliant! 😳 💖

[@williammcgrath5943]

The GREATEST!! I REALLY MISS YOU TWO!!

[@11cor71ll]

Real talent ! A little toast with that jam.

[@handdancin]

when they are trading... holy shit... actually just holy shit 100% of time.

[@fernmann7]

no shit. no other two people on the planet could have done this

[@bobdillaber1195]

An AMAZING PERFORMANCE!!!

[@josephcoleman8311]

That's the definition of "Jammin"

[@harveygloth3166]

just the great two guys playing ==great performance

[@trumpets2u]

Two of the greatest. Wowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

[@auroracaballero6748]

Maravilloso.tuve la suerte de oírlo personalmente en Nueva Orleans. Hace muchos años. Pero.son recuerdos q no se.olvidan . Ahora se los cuento.a mis nietos.

[@bwiggs6]

WOW at about 3:50 when they both take off, that's dixieland at it's best.

[@normal_media]

+Robert Wiggs amen to dat

[@janefiorini3793]

My Dad would say something like "take your gloves off!"

[@bessieSmith]

A clarinet is a great and gritty instrument. I love this.

[@imagrandpa]

The best of the best!

[@patrickmannion9165]

Pete joined Al today in the NOLA wing of Heaven!

[@sharoncathcart]

There's one helluva jazz band up there, ya no?

[@chetoshima4187]

+Sharon Cathcart you have no idea

[@RandysJule]

Patrick Mannio

[@bayonnetenor]

My friend, NOLA IS heaven!

[@larryhjerpe1499]

Me and my uncle went to see Pete fountain and al hirt in Cerritos performing arts center.unfortunately never got to see and hear al hurt perform as scheduled with Pete fountain as al hirt was sick ciuldnt make the show as his wife said and later al hurt passed away.however this video I will remember and treasure.i spoke to Pete briefly 8n Livingston music store before it went out of business in whittier and let Pete know how much we loved hearing recordings of him and al hirt and Petes guest appearances on johnny Carson tonight show.pete recovered from open heart surgery I Was told.our family from south side Chicago my old uncle now passed away last forth of July heard most of the greats as he would stroll in to hear and meet jelly roll Morton and I would listen for hours about my uncles stories and his massive collection of jazz recordings etc and made history of music and music theory my uncle passed down to me I will never forget and I learned lots from a piano restoration player piano shop wells duo art reproduce piano restorations so interesting.

[@rsmith7042]

That was recorded the year I graduated high school. My father was the chief of security to the Lawrence Welk orchestra at the Aragon Ballroom after the Korean War. He was listening to a group one night in a club. He told Pete Fountain, then unknown that the Lawrence Welk Orchestra was looking for a clarinet player. Later, he arranged for Pete Fountain to audition. Pete Fountain played Oh Henry and immediately got the job. All members of the Lawrence Welk Orchestra were required to have at least two unique talents. They had to sing and dance, or play an instrument and sing, etc. One evening, before a show, someone said to Pete Fountain, "The boss wants you to sing a number tonight." Pete Fountain said, "I don't sing." "What do you mean you don't sing? You sang at your audition." "No, I didn't. " Pete said. "I guess you're playing tonight." My dad lied and told someone in charge that Pete Fountain could sing and play the clarinet. Fountain played a "featured spot" until 1958. My Dad gambled that Pete would play so well they would hire him despite only having one talent. He was right. In 1991, my wife and I were in New Orleans, and I made a phone call to the Riverside Hilton Hotel, where Pete Fountain was playing at the legendary Pete Fountain Jazz Club. I got through to someone and explained who my father was and asked if there was any way to see his show, as I was only in town for a couple of days. We attended the show, and Pete Fountain had someone put a light on me, came to our seats, and he told that story the same way my father had told it all those years. Big band era swing music and Dixieland jazz was one of the few things my father and I had in common. I can't listen to Pete Fountain play without thinking of my father. Thank you for posting this video.

[@andrasdr.gonczi3987]

Phantastic,awesome,super...

[@TreeLee-p6v]

Verygood.HighClaSS

[@freidanocats]

dwonderful music. I'm sure they're still at it

[@chetoshima4187]

Unfortunately they have both passed away

[@ElMcMeen1a]

Oh, man - two of the greatest ever in the genre!!

[@jamesconner3437]

Could n't be any more "together" if they had been born twins. Same key, same tempo, and do anything that comes to mind...that is jazz, baby !!

[@davidrobinson4092]

Brilliant!!!A dúo that can’t be matched

[@raytant1159]

I got to see Al Hirt live at the Houston Music Theater in 1967 as a teenager and got his autograph. Got to see him a second time at Jones Hall. I believe the drummer in this video was at the 1967 show. Al and the boys left the stage for a break while the drummer did a continuous solo until they all got back.

[@roypeer3725]

The truly GREAT ... PETE FOUNTAIN!

[@craigjohnson7152]

I remember Pete and Al at separate times before this performance talking to Johnny Carson. Both had their separate Jazz Clubs in New Orleans. Johnny seemed to challenge them to do a concert together, similar to the way Bob Hope challenged Johnny Carson to move to LA. Johnny moved to LA and in 1979 this concert happend!

[@南野風太郎]

此れが音楽だ！久し振りにホントの音楽を聴いた。演奏者も聴衆も喜んで、この音楽に浸っている。有難うブルコメさん！！！

[@bwiggs6]

The run they started at about 4:00 minutes in....NOBODY DOES IT BETTER.

[@jimhays118]

2 greatest, ever jazz musicians. There will never be anyone to take b Eiher's place.

[@billhessell7875]

True New Orleans jazz musicians, picked up the authentic sounds and joy created by their black predecessors, stayed true to the spirit of their hometown, one of defiant pleasure, defying the downside of life.

[@alansklenar2848]

The best that's ever been or will ever be

[@harveygloth3166]

two of the best--what a team--who plats like that today?

[@dcabana1]

harvey gloth Biggest problem,hardly any venues for this music today. It’s all about money.

[@abemaat1724]

Pete Fountain! Great stuff. It is on my playlist among many other clips. I can not praise this facility enough. Abe Maat

[@robertrbarrera4568]

Two best of the best. God have you in his glory