Elkhart, Indiana
C G Conn, Ltd.

Metal, gold plated
Pat. Dec 8, 1914
Length: 27 inches
Wind Instruments – Woodwind Instruments – Single Reed – Saxophone

Gold Plated Alto Saxophone – Provenance:  Jimmy Cavallo’s Gold Plated Conn Alto Sax to William Archer

William “Bill” Archer (1941-2008) was born in St. Louis and attended Affton High School.  He earned advanced degrees in music at Illinois Wesleyan University and attended University of Illinois and Washington University. Archer’s extensive musical career, spans more than 40 years, including teaching, conducting, composing and performing music across the United States and Western Europe.

A dedicated educator from the elementary school to the university level, Bill held teaching positions at numerous area institutions including Sparlan Illinois School District, Affton School District, Mehlville School District, Washington University, East Central College and Fontbonne University, where he served as Director of Jazz Studies and Instrumental Music Activities.

Archer’s professional performing credits include: innumerable appearances as a jazz soloist, lead alto saxophonist, clarinetist, and flautist; solo appearances with the St. Louis Symphony “Pops” Orchestra and the Mighty Mississippi Concert Band; playing engagements with the Glen Miller Orchestra, the Tex Benecke Orchestra, the Woody Herman Thundering Herd, the Lee Hyde Orchestra, the Russ David Orchestra, Bob Crosby and the Bobcats, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Barry White and the Love Unlimited Orchestra, Al Pierson’s Big Band U.S.A., Sammy Davis, Jr., George Kirby, Tony Bennet, Frank Sinatra, Suzanne Sommers, and Danny Thomas.  In addition to teaching and performing, Bill: served as principal arranger for St. Louis’ only professional concert band, The Mighty Mississippi Concert Band, composed and arranged on commission, for publication and for commercial recording sessions; and presented woodwind and improvisation clinics for Selmer Musical Instruments, Inc.  Bill informed me that he had purchased this sax from his mentor Jimmy Cavallo (1927-2019) of New York City.   

Cavallo was an American musician best known for performing with his band, the ‘Houserockers’ in the 1956 movie, Rock, Rock, Rock, by pioneering music DJ Alan Freed.  Cavallo and the  ‘Houserockers’ were the first white band to play at the Apollo Theater in Harlem, where they celebrated the movie’s release.