Volley DeFaut
b. Voltaire De Faut, 14 March 1904, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA, d. 29 May 1973. After studying violin, De Faut switched to clarinet in his early teens. By this time he was living with his family in Chicago; and when aged 19 replaced Leon Roppolo, whose style he emulated, in the New Orleans Rhythm Kings. Later in the '20s he worked with Merrit Brunies, Muggsy Spanier and Jelly Roll Morton. In the pre-swing years he played with some of the best dance bands, including that led by Isham Jones and one of contractor Jean Goldkette's bands. A highly-gifted musician, Benny Goodman always spoke well of him, as one who could have commanded a high salary during the swing era, De Faut nevertheless chose to have a succession of jobs in radio orchestras throughout the '30s. From the '50s onwards De Faut worked mostly outside music but made occasional appearances with small bands, some of which, like that led by Art Hodes, made records.