Kóstas Gadínis

Greek-American clarinet player and composer (born November 14, 1890, Siátista, Macedonia, Greece - died April 21, 1959, Kozani, Greece) Kostas "Gus" or "Charlie" Gadinis emigrated to the United States in 1911. After several years of working as an operator in Lowell, Mass., he settled in Astoria, Queens, NY, where he was able to work as a professional musician. In February 1939, he became an American citizen. Gadinis made dozens of recordings between 1927 and 1942, many of them for Victor. Legend has it that Benny Goodman and Dave Tarras saw Gadinis play live and were so impressed that Goodman declared him the “Benny Goodman of Greece.” Gadinis died of a heart attack on a visit back to Greece. He is buried in the Greek Orthodox Cemetery of Kozani.