Pete Fountain in good condition after heart surgery, agent says

NEW ORLEANS (AP) _ Jazz clarinetist Pete Fountain appears to be recovering well after quadruple bypass heart surgery Monday night. <br/><br/>He was already up and walking Tuesday, said Fountain's agent,

Tuesday, March 21st 2006, 1:16 pm

By: News On 6

NEW ORLEANS (AP) _ Jazz clarinetist Pete Fountain appears to be recovering well after quadruple bypass heart surgery Monday night.

He was already up and walking Tuesday, said Fountain's agent, Benny Harrell.

Harrell said Fountain, 75, had to miss a Friday-night benefit performance in New Orleans because his doctor advised him not to play.

Fountain hadn't been feeling well since Mardi Gras. His Half Fast Marching Club made its trek down St. Charles Avenue without him on Fat Tuesday for the first time in 46 years.

``He's doing great,'' Harrell said. ``He looks good. He's already up and around.''

Fountain, a New Orleans native, lost his $1.5 million house, as well as his gold records and 10 musical instruments to Hurricane Katrina.