Kell, Reginald (Clifford)

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Kell, Reginald (Clifford)

Kell, Reginald (Clifford), noted English clarinetist and pedagogue; b. York, June 8, 1906; d. Frankfort, Ky., Aug. 5, 1981. He studied violin at an early age, but later took up the clarinet, and earned a living by playing in silent-movie houses. He received a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music in London (1929–32), where he studied with Haydn Draper. From 1931 he played in various London orchs., serving as principal clarinet in the London Phil. (1932–36), the London Sym. Orch. (1936–39), and the Philharmonia Orch. (1945–48); also with the Liverpool Phil. (1942–15). He taught at the Royal Academy of Music (1935-39; 1958-59) and at the Aspen (Colo.) Music School (1951–57).

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire

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