Larry Gianni

Hello,

As is usual, I forgot to mention 4 more fine NY players who were part of the magical " New York " Scene and played in the Dick Cavatt Show orchestra trumpet section. I think they also deserve the credit for what was happening in the " East " at the time.

They are Victor Paz, Joe Wilder, Ray Crisara and Al Stewart.

Also, I did not mention the name Nat Prager , ( 2nd trumpet NY Phil , WM. Vacchiano, principal under Toscanini) who is considered to be in the same category as Wm. Vacchiano, as far as legendary teachers and performers go.

I apologize to all for the omission.

Doc trivia:

Doc's first job in New York as a NBC staff musician was with
" The Kate Smith Show "

Bernie Glow trivia:

Bernie Glow was a student of world re-owned teacher Max Schlosberg at age 12.

Note to younger players: ( not strictly by age, but years on the horn )

By knowing the history of the instrument and it’s “greats “, I believe is an important factor in a trumpet players development.

As you mature, and start to want to make strides in your playing , knowing who to listen to, who to emulate, how to play different styles (swing, Dixieland, lead, section, solo, vaudeville, Vegas, rock, Broadway, small band, big band, jazz, scream,etc ) can only help you in your development.

Whether you playing in a local community band , Epcot Center , Broadway or leading the Tonight Show band, you will be much more comfortable playing what ever is thrown in from of you if you understand what it should sound like and the more you be valued as a player.

Playing a “ Hi C “ is fantastic, but learning what to do with it , once you own it, separates the “men from the boys” when the downbeat commeth.
Ladies also. ( sorry about the sermon, just came out )

Larry

chetbaker

Larry,
Didn't my buddy Danny Stiles play lead on the Merv Griffin show for awhile?

Butch
P.S. Larry...just thought of another player that I worked with quite a bit when playing shows at the hotels in the Catskill Mt. resorts...Carl Poole. Great all-around player! I don't think I ever heard him miss a note! I believe at the time he had just finished a steady gig with Doc on the NY Tonight Show band. This was around 1968-69. Are you familiar with him?

Larry Gianni

Hi CB,

Your right Danny Stiles was a fantastic NY studio player and did play lead trumpet on the Merv Griffin Show when it was based in New York. He and Bill Watrous were very good friends and actually started Bill's Big Band "Wild Life Refuge " which put out and album in 1972 with Danny playing lead trumpet. This band had the quintessential " New York " sound, but I must say, all the New York based Big Bands really played with alot ore " Swing" and " Drive " then their counter-parts in the west.

Danny also played with Gil Evans, Woody Herman, Bette Midler, Jimmy Smith and a host of other top notch performers.

Sadly, he died in 1979 and he is missed and because of his early death, he is sometimes forgotten for his contributions to the trumpet community. I will see Bill Watrous this after noon and get more info on Danny. Plus, I'll have more to write later today.

Other players I've overlooked: Joe Newman, Johnny Coles, Louis Mucci, Roger Murtha, Allen Smith, Al Forte, Hal Posey, and Nick Travis (re-located to LA)

Danny Stiles
Bach 43 lt - Giard. 7M

Larry

PS: If you haven’t read Noel’s post ( lonelyangel ) in the EC/WC topic, please treat yourself to some excellent writing and information on the commercials players in England. Noel is a fantastic player, plus he has a added talent of having great communicative skill's in his writing.

wiseone2

Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2004 12:53 pm** *Post subject:
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Hi CB,

Your right Danny Stiles was a fantastic NY studio player and did play lead trumpet on the Merv Griffin Show when it was based in New York. He and Bill Watrous were very good friends and actually started Bill's Big Band "Wild Life Refuge " which put out and album in 1972 with Danny playing lead trumpet. This band had the quintessential " New York " sound, but I must say, all the New York based Big Bands really played with alot ore " Swing" and " Drive " then their counter-parts in the west.

Danny also played with Gil Evans, Woody Herman, Bette Midler, Jimmy Smith and a host of other top notch performers.

Sadly, he died in 1979 and he is missed and because of his early death, he is sometimes forgotten for his contributions to the trumpet community. I will see Bill Watrous this after noon and get more info on Danny. Plus, I'll have more to write later today.

Danny died much later,
Maybe you are thinking of Mike Lawerence.
Wilmer

chetbaker

Larry,
Like Wilmer said Danny had to have died quite a bit after 1979. I worked with his big band in 78-79 which he put together on the spur of the moment for gigs here and there. I also did a couple of other big bands with him in Ct. and a few shows at the Club Bonet in Jersey which had to have been in at least '80-81. Another point...Danny ALWAYS played a Bach 72* with a Giardinelli 7M (not a 43*). I know because I used to try to get him to stay after gigs and talk equipment with me. Danny felt that the 37 & 43 bells were too tight. He really wasn't a gearhead at all...I was! He always told be to go get a 72*...make sure it was lacquered, not plated...pick one comfortable piece and give the others away...go practice...and everything will take care of itself!!! Sounded easy BUT, unfortuneately, that philosophy never seemed to work for me!

Butch

Larry Gianni

Wilmer,

Thank you again for keeping things straight. You are right, I was thinking of Mike Lawrence , who tragically died too soon.

I have brought up the question to Bill Watrous before about Danny , but it still seems to be a touchy subject with him, I know they were very close

As you know, Bill made the re-locate with Merv to LA and Danny decided not too , plus his early death I believe still has a hold on Bill.

Wilmer , can you discuss Charlie Shavers with us.

He is another trumpet player , from the NY scene that doesn’t seem to have gotten his " due " in trumpet achievements.

For all else who don’t know Charlie's work check out:

http://www.trumpetstuff.com/Home.html - Click on Charlie Shaver's and watch him in 2 clips. One of a recreation of his original solo in the 40's classic " We'll get it " and another playing a “Stratospheric " solo on another tune. It well worth the time.

Was Charlie a session player that also had a solo career or a jazz player that worked the studio's like say Clark Terry. Joe Newman or Johnny Coles?

Wilmer, thank you for all your contributions to the music world.
I going to listen to another favorite CD of mine that has Dave and John Gale , Johnny Frosk and the incredible Wilmer Wise on it , recorded in 1987 - " Cleo Lane sings Sondheim " - everyone should have this one in their collection.

Thank you again ,Wilmer

Charlie Shavers
Besson ML ( , I have also seen a Selmer credited to Mr. Shavers ) , Jet Tone “ Charlie Shavers” model copied from an Al Cass and Charlie Allen mouthpieces he used previously.

Chetbaker,

You are correct Danny playing a Bach 72 later in his career, but I found a article on Danny from early in his career in one of my brass journal's that listed a Bach 43. Next time, I'll just list both becasue I couldn't remember if it was a Bach 43 or 72 when I met him while I was on the road early in the '76 and heard him in New York subbing on Thad/Mel's big band playing at the Village Vanguard.

Again, thank you both for keeping the info in the posts as straight as possible.

chetbaker

Larry,
I thank you for your latest posts. For me, they have been VERY informative...but most of all brought back some good times and memories that I may have put on the back burner!

Butch