George William Weidler

This article is about the big band jazz saxophonist. For the Portland transportation agent (1837–1908), see George Washington Weidler.

George William Weidler (January 11, 1926, Los Angeles, California – December 27, 1989, Los Angeles) was an American saxophonist and songwriter.

Career

As sideman, Weidler recorded with Freddie Slack, Les Brown, Charlie Barnet, Ike Carpenter, The Delta Rhythm Boys, Stan Kenton, and the Metronome All-Stars. He is credited as having performed on over 57 jazz recordings between 1943 to 1948.

While with Charlie Barnet, his two brothers, Warner (1922–2010) and Walt (1923–2002), both saxophonists, were with the band. From the early 1940s, the three also performed as the Weidler Brothers Orchestra until 1952, when they signed with Capitol Records as "The Wilder Brothers." Sometime around 1950, the Weidler Brother switched from jazz to pop.

Selected discography

• The Weidler Brothers, Capitol Records 78–108 OCLC 732372074

Side A: "The Jolka Polka"

Side B: "The Schnitzelbank Polka"

With Stan Kenton

• Stan Kenton's Milestones (Capitol, 1943-47 [1950])
• Stan Kenton Classics (Capitol, 1944-47 [1952])
• Encores (Capitol, 1947)
• A Presentation of Progressive Jazz (Capitol, 1947)
• The Kenton Era (Capitol, 1940-54, [1955])

Family

George William Weidler born to the architect Alfred Weidler (1886–1966) and opera singer Margaret Theres Louisa (née Meyer). One of his two sisters, Virginia Weidler, was a child film actress. And one of his three brothers, Warner Alfred Weidler, was a composer.

Marriages

1. Weidler married Doris Day in 1946, becoming Day's second of four husbands. The marriage ended in divorce.
2. Weidler then married Donna Mae Boniface in Clark County, Washington, on November 16, 1950. The marriage ended in either annulment or divorce in Los Angeles in July 1951.
3. Weidler then married singer and actress Maureen Louise Arthur (born 1934) on December 5, 1957 in Las Vegas. The marriage ended in divorce in 1970.
4. Weidler then married Barbara C. Heussenstam (born 1923) on June 21, 1971, in Los Angeles. They remained married until his death in 1989.