Carnival of Genealogy, 82nd Edition—Musical Instruments

The topic for the next edition of the Carnival of Genealogy will be: Musical Instruments! Do you play a musical instrument or did one of your family members? What instrument did you or they play? If no one in the family played an instrument, tell what is your favorite instrument or band and what is your least favorite one. Thanks to Janet Iles, over at Janet the Researcher, for sponsoring this fascinating blog topic.

Hands down, my Uncle Johnnie, is the featured family member for this COG blog. John Aiden Hughes, son of George Henry Hughes and Sarah Margaret VanGilder, was my paternal uncle. Born on February 7, 1929 in Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, he was the middle child in the Hughes family.

I have been told that John was always a musician. I found a photo of him in what looks to be a high school or perhaps college band in an old photo album.

And here’s one in another unknown band. Perhaps one was a local or town band.

And then there is this one taken of the 321 Army Band during his service following high school with the United States Army Special Services at Fort Meade and Fort Leavenworth between 1947 to 1948.

He graduated from The University of Michigan with a degree in Music in 1952. Possibly taken during his college years or maybe practicing at home.

Uncle John was eighteen when I was born, so my memories of him begin around 1952—my early elementary school years. I will admit that as a youngster, I had one big crush on my handsome uncle! During this time, it was not unusual for this author to spend weekend overnights with my Hughes grandparents in their apartment at 168 Lincoln Avenue in Bellevue, Pennsylvania. Most family gatherings were also held there—always a warm and fun filled time.

During these years, from 1952-1954, John was in and out. As a kid, I didn’t always know what he was “out there” doing, I was just happy to see him come in the door….I could count on that big smile, a hardy laugh and usually some uproariously funny antic.

The apocryphal family story regarding Uncle John and his music was that when he was young, he played sax with a “big band” and went on tour. Music was his passion. The end to his “playing days” came when his father told him that he had to get a “real” job. I’m sure my uncle was not in his usual good-humored frame of mind when that dictum was handed down!

I have never been able to get a decent handle on the actual years all of this took place in my uncle’s life. My guess is that he:

-Graduated from high school in 1947
-Did the stint in the U.S. Army Band to have money for college between 1947-1948
-Graduated from the University of Michigan in 1952
-Married my Aunt Barb in 1954

I believe that his “Big Band” era was after college and before the marriage, which is why I remember him coming and going from my grandparents apartment at various times of the year. I imagine that his marriage was the stimulus for his father’s comment about “getting a real job.” My uncle was accepted into the medical program at Wayne State University, Michigan and practiced neurology in Farmington Hills, Michigan.

Once I was hooked by the genealogy bug, it was of the utmost importance to nail down my Hughes family story. When talking to my Mom, Dad and Aunt Faith, the “big band” story would keep popping up. No one seemed to know any of the details, the name of the band, when he toured, etc.—only that it took place and Pop Pop put a stop to it. Unfortunately, I was not able to just ask my uncle as he was no longer alive having died in 1990 and, his first wife, my Aunt Barb in 1980.

For many years the answer was hiding behind one of those illusive genealogy brick walls. I think it was back around 2002 or 03 that I received a package in the mail one Saturday from my California cousin, Beth. In the large envelope were old photo albums. I immediately recognized one of them as being one of three that my Grandmother Hughes made for each of her children back in the mid 1960’s. What a treasure my cousin had just sent and shared with me. Not only were there some photos of ancestors, but there on one page was this photo……

Hallelujah! A photo of my Uncle John with the big band. A genealogy happy dance moment to be certain!

A google search of the band’s name, Don Glasser Orchestra, brought me good research information along with the names of the band leader and the singer, Lois Costello, who happened to be married to Don Glasser. After some noodling around the net I was able to find an address and sent them an inquiry about the band and my uncle. A very gracious Lois Costello sent me an almost immediate response which has become another valued piece of our family story.

Was my uncles musical dream deferred or more accurately, destroyed…..probably. Unfortunately since my Dad and his brother were not close, the two families lost contact for decades (a situation, I am happy to report, that this generation has corrected). I have no idea if Uncle John continued to play music while his children were growing or grown. [Cousins if you are reading this.....help me out here..... :-) ] Sadly, I have no childhood remembrance of ever hearing him play or even pratice.

Both Uncle John and his wife, Aunt Barb, were gifted musicians and their musical talent was passed on to all their children and has continued with their grandchildren. If my uncle and aunt were still alive, I know they would be gratified to see the love of music and the arts continuing through their blood line.

Was my Uncle Johnnie a member of a big band....you betcha! He was a saxophone player in an orchestra that was billed as "Music smooth as glass" ......"featuring the band's sweet and smooth sax section."
Addendum:

Whatever would I do without Google...lol
Today this was quite a find!
Don Glasser performs at West View Park, West View, Pennsylvania in 1945. I wonder if a teenage John Hughes might have gone to this concert? Or better yet, did his parents, my Grams and Pop Pop, enjoy dancing to the music of Don Glasser at the West View Danceland?

More on Don Glasser and His Orchestra:
Don Glasser on Findagrave.
Don Glasser and His Orchestra