Young boy leads string band in proud tradition

And a little child shall lead them.

On New Year’s Day, 12-yearold Jake Kudrick became the youngest captain in the history of Mummery.

Just as has been the case for more than three decades, a member of the Kudrick clan led the Duffy String Band on the annual strut up Broad Street in this year’s Mummer’s Parade.

A little cold – with temperatures in the teens – could not keep the Mummers from donning their “cold-en” slippers and frozen feathers – and taking part in this annual Philly New Year’s Day rite.

What made this trip by the Duffy String Band special was not that a Kudrick led them, but which Kudrick.

Yes, that was Jake Kudrick of Nether Providence becoming the youngest captain in the history of Mummery. Jake Kudrick is 12. He took on the mantle of captain after the death of his dad, Teddy Kudrick, who served as Duffy String Band captain for three decades.

Teddy Kudrick died suddenly of a heart attack back in October.

There never really was much of a debate about who his successor would be.

Jake Kudrick has been taking part in the New Year’s Day march since he was 11 months old, often making the trek in the arms of his father. It’s in the Kudrick blood. Jake knew one day he likely would assume the family mantle as captain of Duffy String Band, which has been marching in the Mummers Parade since it was formed in 1945, when it was originally called the Firefighters String Band, named for the profession of most of its members.

In 1956, Henry Kunzig, Teddy’s father and Jake’s grandfather, purchased the band’s charter and became its captain. In 1986, Teddy took the helm.

After the shock of Teddy’s sudden death wore off, the time came to figure out who would lead the band as the new captain.

Colleen Kudrick, Teddy’s wife of 13 years, admitted it took a while for the shock of her husband’s death to sink in.

Once it did, thoughts started to turn to New Year’s Day and who would lead the band.

It didn’t take long to figure out.

“There was never any question,” Colleen Kudrick said.

“My sister-in-law called me two or three days after Teddy passed away and said the band had a meeting and they want to move forward with Jake.”

Jake was more than ready to follow in his father’s footsteps.

Mom admits to some worries about the emotional toll all this could have on her young son.

But the band remained resolute. They wanted Jake to lead them.

With tears streaming down his face at times, Jake never missed a beat, exhibiting the style and panache that is the calling card of a captain in the String Band Division of the Mummers.

Jake and other band members had other issues to deal with – the elements for one.

Sub-freezing temperatures created problems with several band members’ instruments.

But all were in concurrence with the decision made by Mummers’ officials Saturday: The show must go on.

Jake was warmed by the fealty of Mummery. There is a tradition – and a tremendous sense of pride – in all those feathers and golden slippers.

Yes, there is a friendly competition among bands. But Jake was on the minds of a lot of people strutting up Broad Street Monday.

“All of these fellows grew up watching Teddy,” said Jake’s uncle Charlie Kochensky, president of Duffy String Band.

“They sent Jake cards, letters, shook his hand, wished him luck, because that’s their fraternity.

“Our bands, our efforts, they want to pay him homage and respect because they want (Jake) to do well.”

When the results of the competition were announced Monday night, 12-year-old Jake came in tied for fourth in the captain competition.

In the eyes of many Mummers’ fans, he finished first. In our eyes, too. Teddy Kudrick would be proud.