davidquinlan

What do you guy's 'n dolls think if this score?

I've just finished a short run playing it, on 1st chair (my third time!!)
Having done a few other shows, such as Fame, Chicago, West Side Story etc.. I would rate Havana from G'nD as right up there with the toughest of them.
The opening few numbers are a page turn mute juggling nightmare.... I reckon the chaps in the west end must have a mute/page turner butler to help!! :)

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David Quinlan
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wiseone2

Joe Wilder was the lead player in the original Broadway production of Guys and Dolls.
There are so many versions of the show. Are you playing the original version or the latest one that starred Nathan Lane?
Back in the 70s, I played an verison that starred Jimmy Randolph and Robert Guilliume. Ken Page was Nicely-Nicely.Horace Ott did the arrangements. It was sort of a Disco version.Victor Paz was the lead player on that one
It's a fun show in whatever version you do of it.
Wilmer

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Be sure Brain is engaged before putting Mouthpiece in gear.
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trjeam

I played Guys and Dolls and it was so much fun. You're right Havana does rank up their as far as being a tough chart.

I like playing Guys and Dolls because it's so swinging.. and the lead part makes me feel/sound better then what I really I'm..

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davidquinlan

I'm sure it was the "original" arrangement, or should I say the "regular" arrangement as it's the third time I've played the same on.
Even if I do say so myself, I do think i've improved since first time.
Bring on next time!! :)

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David Quinlan
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trombapaul

I've played the show so many times, next time it comes around and I get
called, I'm going to ask to audition for the role of Nicely-Nicely Johnson myself.


Paul

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wiseone2

I think Stubby Kaye was the original Nicely-Nicely.
Ken Page, Old Deuteronomy in the Broadway version of "Cats," played Nicely-Nicely in the Broadway production of Guys and Dolls I played.
It take a biiiiiiiig guy to play that role
Wilmer

__________________
Be sure Brain is engaged before putting Mouthpiece in gear.
S.Suark 1951

tpter1

I played it just last spring...2nd book. Some raucus solos in Luck be a Lady on the 2nd part.

It's a page turning mute-changing nightmare for a bit. I do like Havana, too, though.

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wiseone2

There's a good point. Most show arrangers are not trumpet players, or for that matter brass players. Billy Byers and Michael Gibson were bone players, so they understood mute changing. The other guys, for the most part are keyboard players who don't have a clue........bucket to harmon in three beats Some of them don't even know the names of the mutes. A very famous one once asked me to use a tin mute..........TIN MUTE.....what the heck is that Tin mutes, wooden mutes, mutes aren't a part of those guys lives.
Wilmer

__________________
Be sure Brain is engaged before putting Mouthpiece in gear.
S.Suark 1951

ryanc

I've played the show a few times playing the lead book. havana is a great chart and a bushel and a peck is fun too. the opening is a page turn and mute nightmare but all in all a fun show

lonelyangel

Hi Wilmer - sorry about TIN mutes. I think you can blame us over here for that, it means the same as harmon -usually without the stem.

Guys and Dolls is widely recognised to be the finest example of teh American musical - at least on these shores. It was one of the first shows I ever played although the production was only a community drama group in Manchester.

It was one of a series of about 10 shows that I played while I was still at school - mainly Gilbert and Sullivan - and I was paid about $50 a week for each one.

That was how, over three years I saved up enough money to buy my first pro trumpet a Bach 25 LB direct from Giardinellis aged about 16.

The latest production of the show has been running in the West End for about a year now - originally starring Ewan McGregor (may the force be with him) and featuring none other than Derek Watkins on lead trumpet. I lost two of my subs when it opened, Derek and Simon Gardner who plays the third chair alongside Mark White who is another very fine player.

In the next few months we have a lot of new shows opening in town. Spamalot, Wicked, The Sound of Music, Lord of the Rings next year and a stage version of Dirty Dancing - which has broken all records for advanced sales.

The Producers will be closing early January - although still playing to packed houses. Its been a real thrill to play that score week after week - a privelege to be a part of spreading so much joy and laughter in these somewhat dark days.

All the best. Noel.

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