Skeets Herfurt

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Arthur "Skeets" Herfurt (born May 28, 1911 in Cincinnati, Ohio - died April 17, 1992 in New Orleans, Louisiana) was an American jazz saxophonist and clarinetist.

Herfurt was raised in Denver and played in bands while attending the University of Colorado. He did stints with Smith Ballew (1934), Jimmy and Tommy Dorsey (together 1934-35, Jimmy 1935-37, and Tommy 1937-39), and Ray Noble. After moving to California, he worked with Alvino Rey, then served in the Army during 1944-45. Following this he did work as a studio musician in Hollywood in addition to time leading his own band as well as work with Benny Goodman in 1946-47. His studio credits, into the 1960s, include sessions with Billy May, Louis Armstrong, Georgie Auld, Jack Teagarden, and Stan Kenton. He worked with Goodman again in 1961 and 1964.

Herfurt appeared as a saxophonist in the 1958 film The Nightmare, and plays clarinet on the soundtrack. He also performed on the soundtrack to the 1974 film The Fortune. He also was a member of Lawrence Welk's orchestra and weekly television show from 1979 to 1982.

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