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Originally Posted by Tootsall Joe, hopefully you can tell us some of Wilmer's exploits... he's sort of reticent at times! Welcome to TM. |
Thanks to all for your warm welcome. I feel the LOVE !
The
Wise One is a modest man,and if you would pardon the pun,he is not fond of blowin' his own trumpet.
Were he not a vegetarian,I would have made him a "Philly cheesesteak"
offer to have him do more fingering on his computer keyboard,instead,I'll extend an offer of a "soft pretzel" and watch the shape of things to come.
As jazz lovers,we all may have heard or read about the Austin High Gang of Chicago during the 20s but relatively little about the Barrett Junior High Gang of South Philadelphia of the 40s.
The
Wise One is a member of that 40s gang and who in my humble opinion is a superior musician and who like
Bob Wilber is a quiet and potent giant .
Prior to WM stellar performance at the 1984 Grammy Awards,not many people in these United States knew that the
Wise One routinely played classical pieces with symphony orchestras,and who could easily adjust to a more jazz oriented trumpet sound and perform jazz compositions.
Intellectually,I cannot say if the SCHUYLKILL water is responsible for the rich musical talent that came from South Philadelphia,emotionally,I know it's either the water,the cheesesteak,or the soft pretzels,or a combination of the three.
The latter was confirmed during the mid 60s by Lee Morgan & Bobby "Moanin' " Timmons.
With that said,perhaps the
Wise One can share his times during the 70s at the Village Vanguard with Thad & Mel or his Mexico City tour with a young WM .
Jazz is like air - not important until you're not getting enough !