Northern style soul band formerly known as the Caravelles (1961-64). In 1964 Caravelle, Ltd. was formed using the original band name. A copyright of the name Caravelle by the Boliva Watch Company forced the group to change their name as well as their same-named record label. The group became known as the Chaumonts and released a single on O’Dell records in 1964 “That’s Where You Belong” b/w “Forget About Him.” The record originally recorded as by the Caravelles “Love Is the Thing” b/w “I Need Your Love” was reissued as the first single released by Melvin Douglas and vocalist Milton Dugger on their new Bay Sound label. The recording features the lead vocalist Dugger with background singers Dianne Young, Gladys Pigatt, Phyllis Pigatt, Cynthia Powell, and Patricia Powell. The horn section featured Don Ryer (trumpet), Ron Glatzel (trombone), Jackie Blake (alto sax), Santo Mirabile (alto sax ex-Dynamics), Jim Melniczak (tenor sax), and the rhythm section consisted of Dennis Fisher (organ), Martin Hebron (guitar), Tom Maxwell (bass), and Russ Misterka (drums).
Bassist Robert Bell (‘RC’ Bell) also played for the group in 1968. Bell along with Paul Johns were staff writers for Bay Sound Records through 1972.
Their single “Love is the Thing” debuted on WCAO’s Top-60 chart in September 1967. Coinciding with their record release the Chaumonts placed as finalists at the September 11 Battle of the Bands at the Civic Center.
The Chaumonts were seen at the Zoo Club on South Hanover Street for a two-day festival on December 15 and 16, 1967 with the Stantons, and the Lafayettes. They appeared at the Atholton High School ‘Summer Soul-In’ on August 28, 1968 hosted by Kerby Scott, while also appearing on the Kerby Scott TV Show. The band made frequent trips to the Easton area where they were seen at the Elk’s Club. WANN DJ Hoppy Adams used to present the group at Wilmer’s Park in Pumphrey’s where they opened up for Joe Tex.
The Chaumonts were a finalist in the 1968 Civic Center Battle of the Bands.
The Chaumonts could be seen at all the top local clubs including the Latin Casino, Club Venus…
The next single “Broadway Woman” featured Milton on vocals, the same horn section and the same rhythm except that Ken Brooks had replaced Russ Misterka on drums.
For the single “Loving Soft Soul” the group went through some changes. Milton again was the lead singer. He was backed by the Reflections (Mary Smith, Charlene Dowdy-King, and Sheila Gaylord). An entirely new backing group consisted of Charlie Lewis (trumpet), Ken Kennedy (trombone), Paul Johns (alto sax, keyboards), Israel Raul Sushman (baritone sax ex-Del-Rays), Carl Filipiak (guitar ex-Dominators), Ray Gagne (bass ex-Dominators), and Ken Brooks (drums).
The 1969 release “When You Love Someone” received heavy airplay by local DJ Fat Daddy. The band personnel stayed mostly the same as the last record except that Sushman had moved back to his middle-east home. The following musicians were added: Jeff Pritzker (tenor sax), Ronnie Bang (2nd trumpet), Fred Grimmel (vibes), and a talented young lady from Peabody added the French horn.
Mirabile went on to play for the Brass Rail, Patti LaBelle, Glass House… Brooks later led his Ken Brooks Experience… Grimmel and Misterka went on to join Seventh See… Melniczak went on to join Terry & the Uptights… Maxwell and Filipiak also continued to play with many top Baltimore bands.
Record releases by the Chaumonts:
1964 O’Dell 105 That’s Where You Belong / Forget About Him
1967 Caravelle 67001/2 Love Is the Thing / I Need Your Love
1967 Bay Sound 67001/2 Love Is the Thing / I Need Your Love
1968 Bay Sound 67004 Broadway Woman / Now You’ve Gone
1968 Bay Sound 67008 Loving Soft Soul / (Instr.)
1969 Bay Sound 67011 When You Love Someone / All of My Life
