Wesley La Violette

Wesley La Violette ( born January 4, 1894 in Saint James, Minnesota, † July 29, 1978 in Escondido, California ) was an American composer.

La Violette studied at the Musical College of Chicago and taught there from 1923 until 1933. Until 1938 he was head of the theory department of the De Paul University of Music. He then became head of the Allied Arts Center in Los Angeles, where he also taught from 1946 at the conservatory. He also had great influence on the jazz music scene of the west coast, his students included, among others, Martin Denny and Jimmy Giuffre.

La Violette composed two operas, five symphonies, two violin concertos, a concerto for string quartet and orchestra, chamber music, cantatas, choral works and songs.