sign in sign up
<<
Home , Artistry in Bossa Nova, Buddy Childers, Bud Brisbois, Copa Room, Harry James, Roger Ingram

Tony Scodwell in conversation with Jonathan Lax

JL Tony, tell us how members of your we could and did our best to imitate their dealing with the family introduced you to music, in your styles. We were also playing every gig we embouchure. He did formative years, along with your chosen could round up, mostly with a terrible have me learning new instrument and the music you grew to love player who had a knack for getting music and the Mendez and perform. the choice gigs in town. Choice gigs, solos published at the TS Round about the fourth grade I meaning $15 for a three hour dance job. time were certainly thought about taking up the . My I was first chair in the high school band a challenge for me. I mother wasn’t a musician, but certainly and played a solo on our concert doing had all the Mendez enjoyed being around them. Whenever La Virgen de la Macarena. The band recordings and tried the Eddy Howard Orchestra (“To Each programme in Wisconsin was quite a my best to learn them and play them in His Own”) was nearby, my mother and big thing and marching band has always solo contests. Funny, the judges at these my aunt Jean would invite some of the been a way of life there. My band director competitions scored me down a bit on my choice of material to perform, but musicians in the Howard Band to come was enamoured with the Michigan State it really didn’t worry me much. I was over for food and drinks. director and our concert season didn’t start until football season was finished. I another cocky young trumpet player and My father was always playing Louis also remember playing Deep Purple with obviously knew more than they did. I did Armstrong records and Sleepy Time Down our dance band after the game. I was play all the “war horse” solos as well and South seems to resonate with me. All playing many pro gigs by this time and the Clarke studies were a daily routine. I know is that the trumpet was special the band director asked if our stage band Soon after I sought out a fellow in town to me and I never considered any other would play for a big event in Lake Geneva who had been principal in Pittsburgh instrument. It’s a bit odd since my uncle at one of the military academies, for free. and Kansas City and retired to my little George Stynosky, was a professional I answered with: “I’m a union musician town of Beloit. Now it was all about saxophone player from and freedom of blowing and started to introduce me to musical development and some famous recordings. after a year or so he says to His contribution to my me: “I’ve gone as far as I can getting started was inviting with you and you need to go a wonderful trumpet player down to Chicago and study he worked with over to show with Arnold Jacobs.” me some basic things on my newly rented Blessing I still remember my first . The cornet was lesson with Mr. Jacobs. He recommended as I was a said: “Play something for little guy with short arms. me.” I played La Virgen de I stayed with the cornet la Macarena and he stops throughout junior high me saying: “You’ve got school, getting my first technique, I want to work trumpet in high school. on freeing up your air.” His teaching theory was in its Playing lead trumpet in the formative years then (1961) high school Stage Band gave Tony Scodwell. Photo: Mary Scodwell and he had me inhale on me the desire to travel often the spirometer and wanted to Milwaukee and Chicago, and we don’t play for free!” A career the same amount of air exhaled. I could 70 and 90 miles respectively, to hear the as a diplomat wasn’t my calling and he inhale four and a half litres, but to freely likes of and Duke kicked me out of the band right before exhale that amount was a challenge. He Ellington and their great bands along the big parade on Memorial Day. In also pointed out my tuning slide kept with other great bands that came through hindsight, I should have handled things a coming in as my blowing became more the region. Getting back home at two or bit differently, but by this time in my life I free and easy. All I did was play Brandt three in the morning and being awake knew I was going to be a trumpet player French horn etudes slurring everything. for the 7:00am start of school was good somewhere. Did I mention I lined up a Those Saturday morning drives to training for later life of the band bus paying gig on Memorial Day with Uncle Chicago were a little challenging in my tours which I did more times than I can Julius and his German Band, riding on a Triumph TR-2. Winter in Wisconsin and count. float? side curtains in my Triumph made for JL What was it like growing up in a small JL Who were your early mentors and a chilly ninety or so mile trip to “The town in Wisconsin and playing music in how did that lead to you having musical Windy City”. Jacobs lived on the south your school ensembles? By the way, do adventures in Chicago? And for some of us side of Chicago and my lessons were you have any amusing school band and/ too young to know, tell us about your time following his rehearsals with the Chicago or choice band director stories you wish to spent with Arnold Jacobs, one of the great Symphony Orchestra, usually with a indulge us in? brass giants of our time. guest conductor. My time with Jacobs was TS Growing up in a rather small town in TS By the time I had reached the ninth important and especially so since I had Wisconsin wasn’t so dismal as it might grade I was getting more proficient on my gotten a scholarship to the Berklee School sound. My best friend who was a tenor chosen instrument and as always seems of Music, in Boston, by this time. Then it player and I would spend hours in the to be the case, you want to practice more was time to leave for “Beantown”. basement of his home listening to the and more. I was studying with a French JL Now I know there are no short cuts in new Miles Davis sextet recordings trying horn player who had developed a system life, but how did you end up getting a full to understand what they were doing he patented called “Anatowind” and scholarship to the Berklee School of Music musically. We copied the music as well as his thrust was on muscle development and what led up to that point? 30 The Brass Herald October 2017 TS All through high school playing my like Trane.” Miles keeps walking and says little dance band gigs and trying to “Nobody plays like Trane.” understand what great jazz players were JL What was it like working with and for doing, via recordings, was instrumental in , and both Dorsey wanting to pursue a career in commercial Bands? music. I was an avid reader of the music TS The Kenton Band finished 1963 with magazine Down Beat and noticed that a November tour of Great Britain. On the they held a competition for scholarships night before we returned to the States, to Berklee School of Music in Boston. Stan held a beautiful Christmas dinner I had narrowed my choices down to at our hotel, the Strand Palace. I didn’t Westlake School in Hollywood, North know it at the time, but had Texas State and Berklee. Then I set up called Sam Donohue telling him that my recording equipment in a restaurant he had a young trumpet player in the where my friends had a trio gig. Piano, band that would be a great addition to bass and drums with me “sitting in” on his band. Although I was playing first a tune called Air Conditioned, a simple mellophonium with the band I had my tune that I had a record of by trumpet out at every opportunity. Dinah Washington called “Jam Session featuring Maynard Ferguson, Clark Terry Sam led the orchestra and Clifford Brown”. That one tune which featured , The Pied we recorded was sent to Down Beat Pipers, Charley Shavers and Frank which helped me win a full scholarship , Jr. The Dorsey band had a tour of to Berklee. Berklee at the time was a Great Britain, Germany and Spain coming two story ex-apartment building on Tony with Minnesota Orchestra poster at up so I felt like a tour guide. It was a orchestra hall Minneapolis 2007. Newbury Street with a very elite group wonderful itinerary and we also played Photo: Mary Scodwell of teachers, all of whom were working in frequently. When the Dorsey Band disbanded, once again I was to jazz musicians. As I had won the big on mellophonium, an instrument being receive good fortune. scholarship, in the junior division I was championed by Kenton at the time. For assigned to the top band led by Herb sure I had never played a mellophonium, had called Harry James to Pomeroy. Sitting in the trumpet section let alone seen one, before joining the recommend me for the first trumpet chair on the first day Herb asked: “Who plays band. I left that night on a bus ride to being vacated by Rob Turk. My audition lead back there?” Hotshot that I thought New York City where they had a Town with Harry was to play Lush Life on the I was, my hand shot up. “What’s your Hall concert the next night. Then we bandstand with Harry standing in front of range kid?” he asked. “I’ve got an F,” I headed to Chicago for a gig, where I me. Buddy Rich had already met me and said. Herb proceeded to pass out a chart would start performing with the Kenton on the way to the band room asked me called Woolafunt’s Lament by Everett Band, along with my friend Steve Marcus how I was doing. I said I had sore chops. Longstreth and handed me the lead part. who also joined the band playing tenor Buddy screamed back: “I don’t care about A quick scan and lightning math counted sax. your chops, I asked how you were doing.” 65 high F’s, with the very first note an That was before I had ever played a note Prior to leaving for Chicago, with some F. Of course, I “crashed” on the first with the band in performance. Buddy was time on our hands in New York City, Steve page and years later when I would be in the most unique person I ever worked and I did what two young jazz musicians Boston, Herb would always ask me: “Got with. Absolutely the most gifted drummer would do, head to Charley’s Tavern on an F kid?” That was possibly the most and I learned quickly that there was only 52nd Street to see some famous players. important lesson in my life. Don’t say you one way to play - with him. Harry loved Steve and I had been playing with some can do something if you can’t do it four Buddy and paid him the highest salary of great players in Boston, one being Tony hours later. any sideman at the time, $1,500 a week. Williams, the fantastic drummer who had Buddy always said: “I like you kid.” I was JL Is it true you were recruited right out just joined Miles Davis. Looking up 52nd a kid for sure and Buddy did take a liking of Berklee into the Stan Kenton Orchestra, Street I saw a Ferrari coming down the to me and even gave me his Weimaraner recordings and life on the road touring? road towards us. “It’s Miles,” I screamed dog, named Moose. And is it true that the legendary jazz out and Tony Williams was in the right educator and musician Herb Pomeroy was front seat. Naturally Miles parks in front During this time Harry’s band recorded instrumental in orchestrating this move of of Charley’s, in the red zone. Tony jumps some music videos in a “make believe yours? out giving Steve and me a big hug. Miles ballroom” setting, in a Chicago studio. TS While at Berklee, during the start of gets out and walks by us and Tony says, The production was called “Meet the my third semester, I walked out of school looking at Steve: “Miles, this cat plays Bandleaders” which is easy to find onto the sidewalk one nowadays on YouTube. I’m November day. There I the “good looking kid”, spotted Herb Pomeroy next to Buddy, as Tom talking to someone. Porello had joined Harry Then Herb motioned to by now and I moved over me to come over and splitting the lead book. said: “Do you want to The great recording join the Stan Kenton engineer Wally Heider Band?” The fellow with was at the Monterey Jazz him was Jim Amlotte, Festival in 1965 to record Stan Kenton’s road Charlie Mingus, “Mingus manager. Before I heard at Monterey”, and asked anything further I said: Harry if he could record “YES!” Then I was the band earlier in the told the opening was Tony soloing with his “The Scod” in concert in Las Vegas. Photo: Mary Scodwell night. Normally Harry The Brass Herald October 2017 31 wouldn’t have said yes, but the to play the famous festival was billed as “Salute of Tommy Dorsey’s Marie which to the Trumpet” and we were included the great solo by Bunny preceded by no less than Louis Berigan. Before we played a note, Armstrong, Clark Terry, Miles Harry turned to me and said: Davis and Dizzy Gillespie “Catch my part Babes.” Babes closing out the night with our was his nickname for just about two sets. I tell you, the tempos everybody. I had played all the were never faster nor did Harry parts of Marie during my time and Buddy ever play better. The with the Dorsey Band, but never encore was with Jon Hendricks the lead and we played through joining in with our singer Ernie it twice and watched the other Andrews along with Harry performers rehearse their parts. scatting together on Flying The show was live at 6:00pm so I Home. asked Harry which part he wanted Tony soloing on mellophonium with “The Scod” Big Band in Las At this point in my life I had me to play. Vegas in 2015. Photo: Mary Scodwell a chance to move to Germany “Catch my part Babes,” so I and play first trumpet with the WDR this lasted only a day with Bobby being played Bunny’s solo part on the show (West Deutsche Rundfunk) studio jazz relegated to congas. and Harry stood down front moving his band of Kurt Edelhagen. I moved “lock, valves without making a sound. It took We had recorded a late night/early stock and barrel” to Cologne and joined me years to realize why he did that and morning session with Sammy Davis, Jr. the band the first night in the studio of rest assured, Harry could have played after our gig in the at the WDR. I noticed there was a bottle of wine that solo “in his sleep”. Certainly Irving Sands Hotel. It was released on Reprise or schnapps by each chair and was told Berlin had written something that Harry Records and is available today on that if you ever come late to a session, had recorded. Harry loved Bunny, but it Amazon. It’s called “The Sounds of ’66 you had to bring a bottle of something was somewhat degrading to him to have with Sammy Davis, Jr. and Buddy Rich”. to share. A German custom that seemed been assigned Bunny’s famous solo. I was quite civilized at the time. After leaving Buddy’s Band I joined the pleased to receive a telephone call from Somewhat different from the bands I had Harrah’s Reno House Band. It was a , after the show, saying that I been in, but what really surprised me great gig for two years, but commercial played incredibly well. was my first trip to the bank to set up an “show-biz” wasn’t yet “my cup of tea”. JL If you wouldn’t mind, please share with account. I asked the man what was the I then rejoined Harry James’ Big Band us some of the favourite trumpet sections procedure for a new guy like me to buy on lead. A fine recording called “The you worked with over the years and the a car. He asked “whom I worked for” and Golden Trumpet of Harry James” was names of these great musical artists. done in Hollywood with Tutti Camarata questioned “how much I needed”. I was TS Sections I have played in are to discover musicians in Germany are a producing. Tutti wanted to recreate Harry’s biggest hits with London Phase 4 numerous. Not having played in a Stan bit more respected. Nothing is forever Kenton trumpet section I did record and after two months, I was about ready technology. If you’ve heard this recording, notice that the lead is missing on the with a few Kenton sections. I was totally to come back to Las Vegas when my impressed with the playing of Conte phone rang. out chorus of A Train. Harry had all of his lower teeth replaced with implants Candoli on the “” It was Buddy Rich saying he had left four days prior to the recording. We had session as well as with Bud Brisbois having Harry and was starting his own band in done the first take of A Train without been brought in to spell Dalton Smith. Las Vegas and would I come back and Most thought Dalton was playing those a problem, but Harry felt he might get play first trumpet for him. Talk about extreme notes, but it was Bud. a better solo with one more take and, timing. I flew back to Las Vegas and we wanting to rest, didn’t play lead in the Later on, with Harry James, the regular started rehearsals relatively soon. After section the second time. Guess what take section was pretty impressive with Tom six weeks of rehearsal we started the gig. Tutti chose? I’m not sure why, but it may Porello, Fred Koyen and Nick Buono. The Sitting ringside was no less than Maynard have something to do with the start of fellow I replaced on lead was Rob Turk and . The band was this three hour session. Tutti said to Harry and Harry would use him on occasion with good and Buddy had this vision of him to tune up the band and Harry said: “This some really fine trumpet duets they played playing a few pieces and then fronting band plays, it doesn’t tune up!” It’s a good together on the Dot label recordings. Rob the band. He had hired another drummer, recording and is still available. wrote many of the in Harry’s Bobby Morris, and as you might expect, book before leaving the band to play lead The band was in New York City shortly trumpet at the Sands Hotel, during the thereafter “” era. After I rejoined the James and we were Band, my section mates were Bob Faust booked to do and Al Yeager, in addition to Nick Buono. on CBS. On the Tommy Dorsey Band, one of the The show was most solid lead players in the business was done live and Ray Davis. You could “go to the bank” with our rehearsal his playing. In the section were some other started at wonderful lead players: Bobby Findley, noon. The Bobby Hamilton and Everette Longstreth. theme of the Buddy’s Band had Bob Faust, Chuck Foster show was “A and John Sotilly. Good players and a very Tribute to good work ethic. My time in Las Vegas was Irving Berlin” with numerous top flight players every and Harry night on the band stand. Louie Valizan, Tony soloing with the Minnesota Orchestra. Photo: Geri Kodey was assigned Walt Johnson, Rick Baptist, Stu Satalof, 32 The Brass Herald October 2017 , Charley Turner, Gerry Lamy, Davis, , , Liberace, TS I had been a friend of Andrew Woodard, Tom DeLibero and Barbara Streisand, Andy Williams, Lena since the early Sixties during his Getzen Charley Davis to name a few. In the Doc Horne, , , years. I was on the road with Harry James Severinsen Big Band trumpet section were , , Ann- then, but lived only thirty-five miles away players of note such as Tom DeLibero, Margaret, Burt Bacharach and Wayne in my hometown of Beloit. Getzen was, Snooky Young, Dennis Tribuzzi and Conte Newton. Oh yes, who could ever forget and is today, located in Elkhorn, Wisconsin Candoli. ? and every time the James Band was off JL Educate the readers on what a relief JL I would be remiss if I did not ask this the road, I’d head back to Beloit and spend band is and feel free to touch upon some of question: You worked with in a lot of time at the Getzen factory whose the many musical and entertainment acts Las Vegas. Is there any way that you have horns I had been endorsing. you performed with in Las Vegas over the a good Sinatra story or two that you are Doc and I had a common interest in cars, years. willing to tell us, that is fit for print? mine with Alfa Romeos and his with TS After leaving Frank Sinatra, Jr’s TS Working with Frank Sinatra was very Lancias. We spent quite a bit of time at seven- piece band in 1970, my new wife special. He was intimate with his music Getzen trying horns and playing them Mary and I decided it was time to stop and knew every note in his wonderful back at each other. When I was playing in travelling. This gave us the luxury of arrangements. I was in the house band at the “The Big Apple”, I would try to visit staying at home, in Las Vegas. The leader Caesars Palace when “Ol’ Blue Eyes” came the NBC Studios to see Doc and go down of what was called the relief band offered back after a two-year hiatus. We worked to Hurley’s with Jimmy Maxwell. Maynard me the chance to work with him. The with him every month for two weeks at a was at the Metropole a lot and that was a relief band is the band that gives the time and after a few months we were on mandatory stop for me. Back to knowing regular house band at all the casinos their the stage ready for a 2:00pm rehearsal. Doc: after his Tonight Show with Johnny night off. And we played six different I noticed two fellows coming down the Carson went off the air in 1992, Doc took hotels a week, rehearsing during the day aisle of the showroom dragging a rather his band out on concert tours. He was nice and playing the shows that enough to call me about his new night. By the very nature trumpet, his new car or mouthpiece of the job you had to be and “down the road” he asked me excellent readers and catch to join his band, now called the Doc on quickly; the bonus being Severinsen Big Band. you were paid somewhat At this point I was totally fed up with more than the house bands. the music scene in Las Vegas and had The drawback was that you shifted my focus to my photography rehearsed every day, leaving business, having stopped playing for little time for yourself. Also, two years. To be honest, I made a lot the band leader never let more money with my photography our day off go by without and if I didn’t have four photo shoots booking a gig somewhere for a day, I didn’t think it was a good a convention or other event. day. Naturally I missed playing the Seven days a week was great trumpet. dough”. Mary was running Again, Doc kept calling and finally the photo lab at the Tony with bandleader friend Jack Farina in concert, 2013, Beloit gave me an ultimatum: “Get your Tropicana which was a nice (Wisconsin) College. Photo: Mary Scodwell chops together. You’re subbing for Conte in three months.” I did and, fringe benefit, especially large cart, loaded with ice, glasses and believe me, getting back in shape after since our schedules were quite similar. Jack Daniels. Sinatra proudly announced: two years without playing a note was Wonderful acts like Sammy Davis would “You guys know the music. Today we interesting to say the least. When the tour often have a party after the gig and Mary drink.” We then proceeded to complete a with Doc started, I felt as if every note was could “hang out” as well. Getting home at long rehearsal not playing a note, nipping an adventure. I did OK, I guess, because 6:00am was the norm for us and as Las with “Ol’ Blue Eyes” on Jack Daniels. Of Vegas goes 24 hours nonstop, we’d do our Doc kept calling me to sub for Snooky or course, that was not the normal rehearsal grocery shopping on the way home. It was Conte and when he said he wanted me to procedure. a good thing we were young then. Now, play lead I begged off, not yet feeling in for the various performers I worked with Doing a New Year’s Eve gig at the Riviera, condition to play that book. After some in those days. Here’s a common week for featuring both Sinatra and a young Pia more time, Doc says to me: “You’re playing me: Zadora, who was married to the owner, lead on New Year’s Eve, in Phoenix as Tom involved Sinatra doing a gig and private DeLibero has another commitment.” By Mondays: Sahara Hotel, with party in the hotel while Pia did her show this time, I felt better about my playing Tuesdays: Stardust Hotel, with Lido de in the room set up for customers holding condition and I worked very hard to be Paris tickets. Just before midnight the two ready for the New Year’s Eve gig. Wednesdays: Dunes Hotel, with Casino de switched venues and Sinatra did the The rehearsal went well and afterwards Paris “official” New Year’s Eve party downstairs Doc comes over and said: “You played Thursday: Hilton Hotel, with Elvis that Frank Jr. was for his your ass off, but it will be better tonight.” Fridays: Tropicana, with Folies Bergere father. When Frank came down to greet I’m not sure if that was his Tommy Dorsey Saturdays: Day off, but usually a private the patrons in the show room, he, in a mode of “inspiration” or not, but the party well lubricated state, went directly to the show went really well and Conte leaned Sundays: Caesars Palace, with Frank microphone and chirped out “Whoopee!” over and said: “You trying to steal my Sinatra JL What was it like being Doc Severinsen’s gig?” After that I did several big band The acts were in the hotel for two to four lead trumpet player in his many tours with Doc and he asked me to play weeks. In those days, some of the acts varied groups and did you have other first on his Pops concerts. were: responsibilities you signed on for when you He certainly loved Tom DeLibero’s playing Elvis, , Frank Sinatra, Sammy worked for Doc? in the big band, but felt Tom was too The Brass Herald October 2017 33 young to play the style of Pops concerts, One races in the States and I produced a which were a lot of older big band themed high-quality collection of my road racing programmes and as I played with those photography in book form entitled “Road bands, he felt I was right for the job. Tom Racing… A Collection of Photographs”, and I are dear friends and I ran this by which was distributed internationally. him. He was totally “cool with it” and our JL Tony, would you expound on how music respect for each other hasn’t changed. has shaped your life and what music and I still think he may be the finest lead the trumpet have meant to you, or shall I trumpet player I know. say, do you have any philosophy about the The Pops concerts opened many new importance of music you wish to broadcast avenues for me playing with many great in words? orchestras and I certainly learned the TS Those who don’t have the love of music symphonic world is indeed a different in their soul, whether they are music pros world. I got to play in Carnegie Hall or avid listeners, have developed only again after being there with Harry James one side of their brain. Without music in in 1968 and the Kennedy Center in my life, I’m not sure how I would have Washington, DC. Doc was Pops conductor developed as a human being. I suppose I with Phoenix, Minnesota and Milwaukee would be quite normal, hopefully, working at this time and, in addition to those in some creative field or another. But orchestras, we played with Denver, on this path, I’ve been fortunate enough Detroit, Houston, Spokane and many to experience many of my good friends others. I was loving doing this and one day Tony Scodwell. Photo: Mary Scodwell admiring what I have done. My friends my phone rang. run the gamut from scientists to successful occasional concerts around the country, owners of big business. It was Doc asking me if I’d be his road I have the time needed to build my manager along with playing first trumpet Scodwell USA line of instruments in my JL Finally, are there any new projects that for the Pops Orchestra. I had been the workshop in Las Vegas. A good day is you are planning or working on, “as we contractor in Las Vegas, at the Frontier working in my shop for six hours, practice speak”? Hotel for many years, but I wasn’t totally for two and cook something with Mary. TS In my future, I only wish good health, sure I could do this. Doc told me to think it Life isn’t so bad! so far so good, for Mary and me. I also over and he’d give me 24 hours to decide. wish to see a few places in the world The phone rang the next day, exactly 24 JL I am sure the sophisticated Brass Herald that we’ve not been to as of yet. One hour later, and I said yes. subscriber would love to know what avocations and vocations keep you focused especially would be the Italian Opera I had quality help from his former road and active these days. Pray tell, what are composer Giacomo Puccini’s estate manager and got launched with some they? grounds in Toscana, Italy. I never get tired confidence into my new role. After the first of visiting Europe, in general. There is TS In addition to my obvious love for few gigs, with Doc being tolerant about lots of greatness to witness and observe. my mistakes, things smoothed out and playing the trumpet, automobiles have I feel that maybe I became his best road been a major part of what I love to do, Tony’s Instrument Box manager ever. I mean, how many road specifically the restoration of sports cars. Instruments: Scodwell USA Bb managers can keep his horns perfect, take To date I’ve restored 28 Alfa Romeos, a care of the music he needed with trumpet Ferrari 250 GTF, a Maserati Quatroporte, Scodwell USA Rotary player/conducting page turns, arrange four Fiat Abarths (two 750 Zagato Double Conn 1939 12A Cornet and steam all his clothes, laying out the Bubbles and a Allemano Spyder) and 1000 Mouthpieces: Scodwell model Legends options for him to pick and during that Record Monza Bialbero. I have owned, but trumpet and flugelhorn period working with the bookkeeper and not needing restoration, a BMW 2002Tii, Warburton 7MD cornet librarian, plus arranging transportation Alfa Romeo GTV-6, Toyota Supra, Acura Distributor: Chuck Levin’s Washington and flights. You could say I really earned RSX-S Type, Jaguar E-Type, Subaru WRX, Music Center along with an Audi R5-S Coupe. the money with that job description. Dealers: Washington Music Center JL You mentioned you took an aptitude test Mary and I have travelled the world of Peter Bertram - Freiburg, Germany wine as well as going to almost every as a young lad. What were the results of Sax and Woodwind and Brass - Sydney, noteworthy wine producing region. It’s this test and what professional craft related Australia not much to brag about, but I do have a to the final assessment of the test has taken Amend Music Center - Spokane, degree from the Ecole du Vin in Bordeaux over your “heart and soul”, in this regard? Washington TS In 1961, when I was about to graduate and started the nationwide wine tasting programme of Trader Joe’s. Brass Studio Prague - Prague, Czech from high school. (I had not won my Republic Photography isn’t so large a part of my life Down Beat scholarship at this point) my Website: www.scodwellusa.com very smart father suggested I take an as in years past, but there are still a few aptitude test at a big corporation, in my people who hire me. I must say the iPhone home town of Beloit. This was just in case has replaced many of the commercial Jonathan Lax is a long time member of “this music thing doesn’t work out” Dad photo shoots I once did. Those gadgets I.T.G, has been teaching brass for 40 years said. I took the test and when I read the are truly amazing and all my Linhofs, and is a former student of Dr. Donald results back, they said: “You have talent in Hasselblads, Mamiyas and my Fuji 6x9 S. Reinhardt and Seymour Rosenfeld. two fields, working with metal and music.” have been sold. I keep current with the Jonathan attended Temple University and How cool was that? Of course, I’ve had a latest Canon digital equipment, but is a graduate of the Berklee College of successful music career, which is still not admit to carrying my iPhone on a recent Music. He has performed professionally over with yet, and my line of vacation. in classical, jazz and commercial settings and have been well received I dearly love Formula One racing and in three continents and currently is a jazz around the world. follow it closely. Mary and I had the and music educator in the Northern New Now that I travel very little, doing opportunity to photograph several Formula Jersey area. 34 The Brass Herald October 2017