as the Philharmonia in its early days played few concerts, working mostly in the recording studio, Kell was able to serve as principal in both orchestras, as did the horn player Dennis Brain. In 1948 Kell gave up both positions; he was succeeded at the Philharmonia by Walton, and at the Royal Philharmonic by Brymer. Later years Kell moved to the United States in 1948, making a successful concert and recording career. He was also a noted teacher, his best-known pupil being Benny Goodman, who approached him for lessons in 1948–49. Kell initially refused, considering that any necessary changes would initially have an adverse effect on Goodman's playing before improving it; he did not want the American public to view him as "the man who ruined our Benny Goodman." Goodman persisted and Kell accepted him as a student in 1952 and taught him until his return to England. Kell's other pupils included the soloist and conductor Alan Hacker, and Peanuts Hucko. From 1951 to 1957, Kell was trustee and professor at the Aspen Music School in Colorado. Kell returned to England in 1958, taking up an appointment at the Royal Academy of Music. Among his pupils was Harrison Birtwistle. Kell retired from playing in his early fifties, and returned to the US in 1959, where he was director of Boosey & Hawkes's band instrument division from 1959 to 1966. He retired in 1966 and died in Frankfort, Kentucky, in 1981. In 2007, the Deutsche Grammophon label issued a multi-CD box set of all of Kell's recordings for the American Decca company (CD set 477 5280). Discography As a conductor Kell directed recordings of the two Mozart wind serenades, in C minor, K.388 and E major (1951, Decca DL 9540), with the "Kell Chamber Players". The following table lists some of his recordings as a soloist. Notes References 1906 births 1981 deaths Aspen Music Festival and School faculty British clarinetists British classical clarinetists London Symphony Orchestra players 20th-century classical musicians 20th-century British musicians