Abdon Laus (April 8, 1888, in Algiers – July 29, 1945, in Newton, Massachusetts)[1] was an Algerian-born American bassoonist and saxophonist who was principal bassoon for the Boston Symphony Orchestra[2] and founder of the Boston Saxophone Orchestra.[3]
Trained in Paris, France, Laus "received first prize from the conservatory of Paris" in 1910. While in France, he appeared as soloist with Théâtre des Champs-Élysées and the Paris Opera. He came to the United States in 1918 with the French Military Band of the Garde Republicaine, who performed in Boston's Symphony Hall under the auspices of the United States War Department,[4] and remained here, joining the Boston Symphony Orchestra as a replacement musician when the Orchestra removed 18 German players for being enemy aliens.[2][5] The Boston Sunday Post stated, "Members of this band were given to understand that any engagements they were to make in America they were at liberty to fill. It is a good exchange in more than one way for the Boston Symphony. It makes the Boston Symphony an orchestra 100 percent American and pro-ally."[4]
Laus was appointed principal bassoonist in 1918, a chair he filled until 1936, when he began a term in the third chair which lasted until 1945.[6]