Elmer Charles Revelli

Music found a place in Elmer’s life at an early age. As a youngster, he played at violin. Later, he would take up the saxophone and clarinet, a lifelong professional. As a teen, he joined the Oakland Weldonians, a troupe that entertained other young people at jazz clubs in Oakland proper.

In 1951, Elmer married at the tender age of 20, to then Wanda Lee Suren of Vallejo, she a teen of 19 years. Together, they travelled Europe during a two-year tenure in the Air Force, stationed in Wiesbaden, Germany. Their match was perfect.

Elmer received his masters in music education at San Francisco State’s college of music, and after a teaching stint at Golden Gate Junior High School in San Francisco, Elmer began a long tenure at Aragon High School in San Mateo, where his baton would guide wind ensembles toward high achievements, receiving numerous “command performances”; his bands were regularly featured on the Bay Area’s local, KKHI radio station in the Spring.

As Jazz Professional, Elmer played alongside jazz greats including Ella, Miss Sarah Vaughan, legends Tony Bennet, Mr. Sinatra, and the Beatles.

He is survived by children Marcia Kay Revelli and Leonard Alan Revelli of Modesto, grandson Michael Alan Dumaine of Modesto, and by relations in the larger Bay Area. He died peacefully in his sleep. He was a man deeply loved, whose music lives on in many a heart. He was 87. A graveside service will be held at Lakewood Memorial in Hughson for family and friends on August 25th at 9:30AM.