Trumpeter, bassist. Born 1927?; died August 21, 2003 in Washington, D.C.
Attended Linton Hall Military School in Manassas, Virginia and Western High School. Served in U.S. Army.
Led Dixieland bands at Jazzland and The Bayou starting in the early 1950s. Member of many ensembles including the Bicentennial Jazz Band, the Washington Monumental Jazz Band, and the Not So Modern Jazz Quartet.
Began playing bass after being advised by his doctor to stop playing cornet after suffering a broken blood vessel in his neck while performing in 1963. He spent ten years as a bassist before resuming the cornet in the early 1970s.
By day, Whelan was a cartographer for the U.S. Army until 1984.
That is my Father. The best dad anyone could have. I used to fall asleep with my head on the bandstand when he played at Buzzys. I am his youngest daughter and will/have always missed him and my Mom every day that they have been gone.
Cathleen- my father, Charlie Robb, played piano with your father! They were an amazing team and we would often go hear them play as little girls (and later as teen agers). I remember that your father had a fantastic sense of humor! Miss hearing them play music!
Dear Ms. Cathleen, my name is Jeff Cody. I’m a part-time bassist in the Washington, DC area and – according to Brobst Violin Shop in Alexandria, VA – I currently own your father’s upright 1945 Kay M1 bass. I purchased the bass directly from Brobst several+ years ago. And when I learned of the bass provenance I was totally intrigued. I looked up “Wild Bill” Whelan and, WOW! I was blown away that I was now the owner of this man’s bass. I can’t believe it. But I do trust Brobst. Anyhow, the reason I’m reaching out, is because I would love to know more about Mr. Whelan and perhaps how he acquired the bass. I’ve tried searching the Internet for any help but so far nothing – other than learning more about how cool “Wild Bill” Whelan is!!! By the way: I named the bass, “Wild Bill” of course.
So, I guess I want to ask you if you can help me with this endeavor or direct me to someone who might know more about the bass? I’d love to speak with you, if possible. I will not take up any more time than you or anyone else has to put into the subject.
And, if you’re not interested I will totally understand, Cathleen. Please accept my well-wishes to you and your family. And thanks for reading to this point. –Jeff Cody, jcody@duck.com