Clyde B. Pound

Clyde Bertram Pound, a remarkably gifted and accomplished musician whose career spanned decades and continents, passed away peacefully on May 23, 2026, at National Park Medical Center in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Born on December 3, 1934, in Vallejo, California, Mr. Pound’s life was a vivid tapestry of musical innovation, performance, and leadership, leaving an indelible mark on the jazz and broader musical communities.

A dedicated student of music, Clyde pursued his passion at San Francisco State College, where he majored in music, honing the skills that would define his extraordinary career. Beyond academia, his service with the Air National Guard reflected his steadfast commitment and discipline.

Mr. Pound's extensive musical journey began in San Francisco, where he performed jazz engagements with celebrated artists such as Dizzy Gillespie, Maynard Ferguson, Dave Pell, Bud Shank, and Vido Musso. His collaborations extended to vocalists Chris Conners, Helen Humes, and Johnny Mathis, and he toured with the Bob Scobey Frisco Jazz Band, establishing himself as a versatile and sought-after pianist.

In Las Vegas, Clyde continued to impress, performing with several bands including the Dukes of Dixieland and providing the dynamic house band sound for the “Viva Les Girls” show at the Dunes Hotel. Returning to San Francisco, he led the band at the iconic Hungry i nightclub, where his talents merged with those of luminaries such as Laura Nyro, Mel Tonne, Noel Harrison, Bill Cosby, Robert Klein, Richard Pryor, Carol Sloan, Melanie, Gail Garnett, Tommy Leonetti, Flip Wilson, Jackie Vernon, Professor Erwin Corey, and Rod McKuen.

His musical direction extended to theater, as musical director and conductor for the San Francisco production of “O Calcutta” and as a voice production pianist at the Actors Conservatory Theater (ACT). Clyde’s influence radiated across diverse artistic domains, highlighting his adaptability and creativity.

Relocating to Hawaii for 33 years, Mr. Pound’s impact deepened as he performed, arranged music, and served as musical director for a wealth of prominent Hawaiian and international artists, including Jimmy Borges, Melveen Leed, John Rowles, Tommy Sands, Carol Kai, Marlene Sai, Sonya Mendez, Emma Very, Teddy & Nanci Tanaka, Andy Bumatai, Karen Keawehawaii, and The Paradise Sisters. He also graced stages with Arthur Lyman, Manu Bentley Show, Kalani Kinamaka, The Surfers, Sydette Sakaui, Johnny Norris, Ali’i Manu O’Kai, Flashback Show, and Loyal Garner, fostering considerable growth in the region’s musical landscape.

His jazz credentials remained formidable, sharing performances with icons such as Gabe Baltazar, Trummy Young, Mavis Rivers, Bud Shank, Don Ellis, and Mel Tonne, while collaborating with jazz guitarist Doug MacDonald on recordings. As a business leader, Clyde was President of UNISON INC., a contracting company providing bands for world-renowned entertainers including Jim Nabors, Rich Little, Danny Gans, Julie Budd, The Letterman, Connie Haines, Dianne Carroll, Vic Damone, Rodger Williams, Joel Grey, Playboy’s Girls of Rock & Roll, The Supremes, Sammy Davis Jr., Frank Sinatra, Liza Minnelli, Fred Travolena, The Temptations, The Four Tops, The Coasters, Maureen McGovern, Smokey Robinson, Dionne Warwick, Bert Bacharach, Rita Moreno, Jack Jones, Andy Williams, Scott Record, Clint Holmes, Frank Gorshin, Little Anthony & the Imperials, Toni Tennille, Bob Hope, Hal Linden, Benny King, Marvin Hamlisch, Linda Eder, Don Rickles, Natalie Cole, and Wayne Newton.

Among his proudest accomplishments were his extensive recording credits, having arranged and performed on over 30 recordings in Hawaii for artists such as Bill Kiewa, Slack Sax, Kit Sampson, Johnny Fernandez, Penny Silva, Herb Ota, Jonathan Potentiano, Bob Nelson, George Paoa, Jessie Naaoka, Sydette Sakaui, Karen Keawehawaii, Ali’i Manu O’Kai, Melveen Leed, and Carol Yoon. He created sequenced music for television shows including “Bodies In Motion,” “Basic Training” on ESPN, and “Total Body Sculpt” on the FIT Channel, as well as a 30th Anniversary edition of “Bodies In Motion.”

Clyde's compositions and arrangements extended to commercials for noted brands such as Harley Davidson, Honda (recipient of the Pele Award), Taco Bell, Zippy's Restaurant, Star Super Market, Hawaiian Host, Simons Mattress, First Hawaiian Bank, and Volkswagen. His original soundtrack work includes a collaboration narrated by Orson Welles for Kanai Helicopters.

In later years at Hot Springs Village, Mr. Pound continued his musical engagement as keyboardist and arranger for vocalists Shirley Chauvin and Fedett “Lady J” Johnson, and as leader of the ATM Band (Anything That Moves). He performed with various shows including The Pied Pipers, Carmi, Tony Lippia, Peter Peterkin, The Rat Pack Show, and the Bob Newhart Show. His dedication to the jazz community was further exemplified by his service on the Board of the Hot Springs Jazz Society and his role as Chairman of the Hot Springs Jazz Festival from 2007 through 2017. He also produced numerous concerts and events such as Vocalrama, Guitarama, Pianorama, Sax In The Streets, Classical and Jazz Blowout, and Garland County Library’s America’s Jazz Experience. To hear Clyde Pound is to truly appreciate his extraordinary musical talent and passion for music. Clyde was featured in the Arkansas Democratic Gazette newspaper in August 2010 and again in the Pine Bluff Commercial newspaper in September 2018. You can also find “All the Way” by Jamie Stewart and the Klein Pound Trio featuring Mike McGowan on YouTube.

Clyde Bertram Pound is survived by his children. He is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Dorothy Pound, and his parents, Henry B. Pound and Mynette Pound (Heyman).

Throughout his life, Clyde’s remarkable musicianship, leadership, and unwavering commitment to the arts brought joy to countless audiences and admiration from peers and protégés alike. His legacy resonates in every note he played, every arrangement he crafted, and every performance that enlivened the hearts of those fortunate enough to witness his artistry. Clyde Bertram Pound’s memory will be cherished by all who knew and loved him, reflecting a life profoundly enriched by music and humanity.