Miff Mole
b. Irving Milfred Mole, 11 March 1898, Roosevelt, Long Island, New York, USA, d. 29 April 1961. A youthful multi-instrumentalist, Mole had settled on the trombone by his mid-teenage years. Gigging extensively in and around New York, he worked with many small early jazz bands, including one led by pianist-turned-comedian Jimmy Durante, and was also a member of the the Original Memphis Five, led by Phil Napoleon. In the mid-20s he became a close friend and musical associate of Red Nichols; they made many records together and generally encouraged one another's development. After a stint with Roger Wolfe Kahn's popular society band, Mole began a long period of studio work, and in 1938 joined Paul Whiteman. In the early '40s Mole began teaching, worked briefly with Benny Goodman, and led his own small bands at nightspots in New York and Chicago. Ill-health restricted his career in the '50s. Although subsequently overshadowed by outstanding contemporaries such as Jack Teagarden and Tommy Dorsey, Mole played an important role in the development of jazz trombone. He was a major influence in elevating the instrument from its slightly jokey status as a purveyor of unusual sounds, ably demonstrating that it could be a tasteful, melodic vehicle on which to play effective jazz solos. His exceptional technique also provided a standard by which trombonists could be measured, at least until the arrival on the scene of latterday technical wizards. He died in April 1961.