Leif Juhl

Leif Juhl had quite a life in music! As a boy, he picked up a trumpet – the instrument he played past his 100th birthday.  Leif was the ad man for Selmer before forming the Juhl Ad Agency in Elkhart, Indiana. Over the years, he worked for many instrument companies and even helped design some accessories such as a special trumpet case with a hidden compartment. His first NAMM Oral History interview was completed on May 4, 2003 at which point he spoke about his involvement with such companies as Everett Pianos and Artley Flutes . Among his many adventures was working with the big band leader Harry James in modifying his trumpet before Mr. James went to Hollywood for a series of movie roles.  Leif enjoyed pointing out that he polished the instrument in those films!  Leif was a strong supporter of the NAMM Foundation’s Museum of Making Music and in 2008 he donated his rare Selmer cornet to the museum that was made with an “S” in the tubing, which was his design idea back in the 1930s. Leif had great life in him and marked his 103rd birthday before passing away on November 3, 2013.