ABSTRACT
American saxophonist and clarinetist, born in Detroit. He was the first recognized saxophone virtuoso, concertizing and recording extensively in the 1920s. He added five keys to the saxophone to improve range and tone. Wiedoeft was heard on Edison Diamond Discs, beginning with “Valse Erica” (#50462; 1917) and “Saxophone Sobs” (#50454; 1917) and on Victor records, beginning with “Saxophobia”/“Valse Erica” (#18728; 1921). He had eight sides in the 1927 Victor catalog, and four remained in 1938, but they were deleted two years later. His Edison output included nine solos, two items with the Wiedoeft-Wadsworth Quartet (who were Wheeler Wadsworth, saxophone; J. Russell Robinson and Harry Akst, pianos; and Wiedoeft), four with Rudy Wiedoeft’s Palace Trio, and three with Rudy Wiedoeft’s Californians. The final Edison was made on 12 June 1922, with the Californians: “Rose of Bombay” (#51020). The Trio also recorded for Victor and Okeh in 1920-1921. The Californians appeared also on Vocalion. Wiedoeft died in Flushing, New York. Kreisler of the Saxophone (Clarinet Classics #0018) offers solos recorded by Wiedoeft in the 1920s.
