Boston area trumpet player Paul Fontaine passed away January11. From his published obituary: Paul’s career spanned many years, starting as a student studying trumpet at Berklee School of Music. He went on to study with Herb Pomeroy in 1955 and later played with the Woody Herman Band from 1958 to 1960. Drafted into the Army, he played in the NORAD Command Band from 1960 to 1962. Following his service, he returned to Woody Herman from 1962 -1966. Paul played various nightclubs, including Blinstrub’s of Boston, playing for many greats including Tony Bennett, Supremes, Frank Sinatra and too many to mention.
Paul also played the Newport Jazz Festival, Apollo Theater, Lincoln Center, Lennie’s on the Turnpike, and Sandy’s Jazz Club. Together, he and Jimmy Mosher had a big band that played locally. He joined Berklee College of Music as an associate professor for 30 years: all the while playing with Jimmy Mosher, Jimmy Kelly, Greg Hopkins, and the White Heat Swing Band with Craig Ball.
Joe Bebco is the Associate Editor of The Syncopated Times and Webmaster of SyncopatedTimes.com
