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Originally Posted by Manny Laureano I don't see why that's so surprising. |
I had noticed on our trips in the past that many played Bach Strads, but this year something really stuck out. We stayed at the Iberostar Paraiso Lindo in Playa del Carmen where they have several musicians in many parts of the resorts. The trombone player in the Beach Lobby Bar plays a King 606 (a beginner level horn). The sax players in the little 4-piece (two sax, a guitar and a drum) both play on Yamaha YAS23 Altos (beginner level horns). The sax player in the Lindo house band did play a Selmer Mark VI.
I don't know why I was noticing the instruments, but the overall quality of horns, and the percussion equipment was garbage compared to what you would expect a guy to play, when he plays 6-8 hours a day. Only the trumpet players had consistently high-end equipment, and they were ALL Bach Strads.
For some reason I expected to see some old Constellations, and maybe a Kanstul in the hands of the younger guys. Nope -- not going to happen. All were Bach Strads in silver finish, and they were all shined and in good condition. I even noticed them wiping them down between sets.
By the way, the guy who plays trumpet in what they refer to as the Star Band in the Del Mar Theater is a young Cuban. He was there last year as well and I noticed his ability. After playing 6-8 hours a day (and sometimes more than that) this guy has gotten better and better. He could play lead with many bands, but his salsa style ability is wonderful. He probably grew up playing that kind of music and he feels it down to his bones! It was a joy to listen to him play everyday!