Herbert Couf


Herbert Couf 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.

Earlier years

Couf performed with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra.

Compositions & publications

Introduction, Dance, and Furioso, solo saxophone in three movements Concertos for clarinet, for B-flat clarinet with piano accompaniment, transcribed by Herbert Couf, Charles H. Hansen Music Company, publisher Learning the Saxophone: A Sound and Correct Beginning Foundation, Armstrong Pub. Co. Bach Miniatures, Twelve Easy Arrangements for Clarinet, arranged by Herbert Couf & Frank Henri Klickmann, Charles H. Hansen Music Company, publisher Let's Play Clarinet, by Herb Couf, Experience/Chappell Music Let's Play Saxophone, by Herb Couf, Experience/Chappell Music

Discography

Caprice, original compositions & arrangements for solo saxophone, Jāmal Rossi, saxophone - a private label of Dorn Publications, Medfield, Massachusetts

H Couf stenciled instruments

1965–1980s
  • Saxophone; soprano, alto , tenor, bari: Superba I - manufactured by Keilwerth and similar to its Toneking Special
  • Saxophone; soprano, alto, tenor, baritone, bass: Superba II - manufactured by Keilwerth and similar to its Toneking
For a few years the Superbas were available in black lacquer. The engraving was done after the lacquer which provided a stunning visual effect of being able to see the engraving from a distance. These models had metal thumbrests and were probably late 70's models.
  • Saxophone; alto & tenor: Royalist and Royalist II - manufactured by Armstrong in Elkhart and were similar to Keilwerth's 'New King'''''

Family

Herbert Couf was born to Morris Couf and Rebeca — Morris and Rebeca were married November 15, 1917, in Manhattan, New York City. Morris Couf had become a naturalized citizen March 1, 1916, in New York.
Herbert Couf was married to Miriam Couf. They had two daughters, Karen Eve Couf and Donna Andrea Couf. Herbert Couf also had two brothers, Norman Couf and Albert B. Couf.

Videography

via YouTube