Special People, Special Time

Marvin Stamm
Jazz Trumpet

Cadenzas

Winter '97

Special People, Special Time

During the last 12 months, I've had opportunity to spend time with some very special friends; this issue of Cadenzas will focus on those people and on the events that brought us together. All of these people are dedicated to music, and, through their music, they make positive contributions to their communities and to the people who live therein.

These are giving people who feel very strongly about the roles they play as performers and teachers and, in one instance, as a supporter of music, education and young people. I am touched by what they do, the ways they do it and the care they put into their efforts. Because this is a lengthy list, it will be continued in the next issue.

In January, I had the pleasure of being part of the Besson Trumpets; assembled by Boosey & Hawkes to perform at the IAJE Convention, the group included trumpeters Guido Basso and Arnie Chicoski. Known mostly through their 20+ years association with Rob McConnell's Boss Brass, Guido and Arnie perform mostly in Canada, and few in the U.S. have had opportunity to meet them. Arnie is one of the finest lead trumpet players in the world, a great musician and a very understated person. Guido is just one beautiful Jazz musician whose flugelhorn playing displays great depth and exudes much warmth. Guido is truly one of the most giving people I know, and I've never met anyone who doesn't love this man and speak of him with the highest praise. His music and his personna are an example to everyone. These men are superb artists, and the opportunity to play music and "hang out" with them always is special.

Attorney/musician Bill Habern, a dear friend from my North Texas days, annually sponsors Bill Mays and me in clinics with Dr. Bob Morgan's young musicians at the High School For Performing and Visual Arts (HSPVA) in Houston. In recognition of Bob's efforts and successes for many years and as a believer in music and education, Bill has unselfishly done this good deed for many years. In return, he asks nothing more than the pleasure of seeing the enjoyment of the students and the satisfaction of watching his
investment bear fruit in the classroom. So, how about an award for those few individuals like Bill Habern who stand in the background and put their money where their mouths are! Thank goodness for a friend and supporter like him!

And speaking of Bob Morgan, he is one of those great musician/educators who is fully dedicated to Jazz and to his students. He works tirelessly to provide numerous occasions for his young musicians to be exposed to a myriad of artists, both those he brings in specifically as guests and those who come into Houston to perform in professional venues. Bob is a strong believer in the young people he works with and supports them to the fullest.

He spends many extra hours - outside the classroom and on weekends - coaching, advising and even sponsoring his students in order to provide additional opportunities for them. The list of HSPVA program graduates whose values were shaped by Bob and who have become recognized performers and/or staunch members of the Jazz community attests to the effectiveness of his teaching.

This year, Bob was named one of two recipients of the 1997 Coca-Cola Foundation Distinguished Teacher in the Arts Award, an honor bestowed annually by the National Association for Advancement in the Arts. He was the first educator in the field of Jazz to be so honored. Sometimes, the right people do receive the recognition they so deserve.

Also in Houston are two favorite players, pianist Joe LoCascio and trumpeter Dennis Dotson. When Bill Mays and I performed at Houston Community College where they teach, we put two grand pianos together and formed a quartet. Joe is a wonderful pianist/composer, and Dennis is special rumpet player; both are highly creative. One might think two pianos a difficult format in which to play, but not so with players like Joe and Bill. It was a great quartet, and we hope to present a full concert next year. Later that week, while Bill and I were playing with Ed Soph and John Adams at Cezanne's, Dennis graced us with his musical presence, which made for a special evening. In May, I performed a Mass that Joe composed for olo trumpet, string orchestra and chorus in celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Houston Chorale Society.

This year, I was able to spend some precious hours with John Haynie, my former trumpet teacher at North Texas. John, now retired and a Distinguished Professor Emeritus, still plays beautifully, though only in his church. Spending time over lunch, we recalled many experiences that erved to enrich my time at the university and have carried through the years to the present. Later that afternoon, we played some duets for our mutual enjoyment and vowed to do so again in the future. John's work with me has meant much in my career, and the continuing enjoyment of his friendship is a gift I cherish. He is a marvelous musician who gave so much to all of us who were burning with the desire to play music, and the long roster of his students who are out performing and/or teaching extends over this country and abroad and is a testimony to his life's work.

And I couldn't complete my Texas list without speaking of two dear people and great musicians, Ed and Carol Soph. Ed is an extremely creative musician, a risk-taker, adventurous yet sensitive. He perpetually is looking for the unknown and pushes others to take that same leap. He always can be counted on to be honest and frank, to tell you what he thinks. But his sense of humor comes into play at just the right moment to keep everyone teetering on the brink of laughter. Late evenings at his kitchen table, such as after a gig with pianist Joe LoCascio, are memorable experiences. And Carol, a former horn player and an excellent cook whose sensitive observations about the music and sharp sense of humor rival that of her husband, is that rare mate who understands the drive, the need to play music from down deep.

All of these people give much, mostly just by loving the work they have chosen to do, doing it to the best of their abilities and believing that what they do is making a difference. Truly, it is!