Herb Couf | |
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Birth name | Herbert Couf |
Born | February 15, 1920 |
Died | July 8, 2011 (aged 91) Michigan |
Occupation(s) | Clarinetist, saxophonist, composer, music store owner, instrument manufacturer executive, mouthpiece innovator |
Associated acts | Detroit Symphony Orchestra |
Herbert "Herb" Couf (February 15, 1920 – July 8, 2011 in Michigan) was an American clarinetist, saxophonist, composer, music store owner, music instrument manufacturer executive, and an importer of music instruments. Couf had been the principal clarinetist with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra under Paul Paray until he retired to open Royal Music Center and commit his full attention to the business of music.
His Royal Music Center was located just north of Detroit. While owner of Royal Music Center he marketed H. Couf woodwind mouthpieces saxophones, and clarinets. H. Couf saxophones were made by the Julius Keilwerth company of West Germany. H. Couf clarinets were made by the Artley Company, a division of C. G. Conn. Couf later became Vice President of W. T. Armstrong Company, Inc., a manufacturer of flutes, to which he sold the rights to the H. Couf. brand name. The W. T. Armstrong Company was acquired by C. G. Conn in 1981. Couf also had been the conductor of the Royal Oak Concert Band, Royal Oak, Michigan.