Red Balaban

Leonard "Red" Balaban (b. December 22, 1929) is an American jazz tubist and sousaphonist.

Balaban grew up in Florida and played in regional ensembles from the 1950s. He held a regular gig from 1966 at the Dixieland jazz club Your Father's Mustache in New York City.

He worked extensively as a sideman, for musicians such as Wild Bill Davison, Eddie Condon, Gene Krupa, Dick Wellstood, and Kenny Davern. He co-led Eddie Condon's house band with Ed Polcer from 1975; other noted musicians in this outfit included Vic Dickenson, Warren Vache, and Connie Kay. The club closed in the mid-1980s; Balaban continues playing today. He lives with his wife in New England.

References

David Balaban http://www.BalabanandkatzFoundation.com