About
Biography of Peter R. Beltran
"My mission—as an artist, teacher, mentor and friend—is to pass along my knowledge, experience and passion for music to the young, particularly the most disadvantaged, and to make the world a better place by what I do."
Welcome to my website, and time capsule. Before you begin, quick question. Are you the type of person with little time (or patience) for having to read through a lot of stuff, and would just like to hear some great music?
Then, by all means, go to the Events Page, scroll down (past discography) and click Learn More, and go straight to the music! Please just give it time for the recordings to upload.
Note: recordings start with Natalie Cole, for which there are restrictions about their being on any other websites besides YouTube. So, please, just click the YouTube link provided. This does not apply to any other recordings. Thank you! Now, for the other two of you, please read on...
Native Los Angeles-area musician Peter Renard (“Pete”) Beltran is a uniquely-talented, highly-accomplished and versatile tenor and bass trombonist, skilled in a wide variety of musical genres from R&B, Commercial, Latin, and Jazz, to Classical. He studied principally with renowned studio trombonist and teacher Roy G. Main, Bill Tole, and with recording artist and Grammy- winning-Clare-Fisher-band-member Jacques Voyemant. In his youth, Peter was a fixture of the studio jazz scenes at LA Valley, East Los Angeles, and LA City Colleges in the early 70’s, and at Cal State LA beginning in 1976.
First venturing on the road at the tender age of 19, Pete toured the Pacific Northwest in 1974 with an L.A.-based-Top-40-R&B band, and in Canada in '75. Soon, he would fulfill his dream of playing with the "name" big bands, when he landed the bass trombone chair with the Harry James Orchestra in 1977, then went on to join the Buddy Rich Big Band (1979-82), and the Ray Charles Orchestra (1991-94)—having the tremendous privilege of playing with these bands while their leaders and namesakes were still touring.
Mr. Beltran has toured as a Columbia Artist with Mel Torme, Jerry Lewis, and The McGuire Sisters, and internationally with the West Coast franchise of the Glenn Miller Orchestra from 2010 to 2012. In Los Angeles, Pete was a member of the Bill Holman Orchestra for nine years (1983-91), recording numerous albums with the band which include Jazz Grammy-nominated The Bill Holman Band, and Strollin', Satin Nights, and Collaboration albums with pianist, vibraphonist, and jazz instructor par excellence Charlie Shoemake. In addition, Pete was selected by Mr. Holman to record some of his master arrangements for Natalie Cole on Unforgettable, her loving tribute to her father, the great Nat King Cole, thereby distinguishing Peter as one of only two bass trombonists—along with some 150 other artists— as among the finest musicians in Los Angeles and, by extension, the world.
Pete has backed, or recorded with, such artists as Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Mel Torme, Nancy Wilson, Natalie Cole, Frank Sinatra, Jr., Jerry Lewis, Stan Getz, Gerry Mulligan, Lionel Hampton, Woody Herman, Dave Brubeck, Rance Allen, The Mills Brothers (all four), Anita O’Day, Barbara Eden, Sue Raney, and Peggy Lee, among others.
He has recorded on film scores and appeared in film and television, including The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon, and The Merv Griffin Show in the U.S., and The Michael Parkinson Show and The Val Doonican Show in the U.K. His pit orchestra experience includes a national tour with the Joseph Papp Production of The Pirates of Penzance, and substitute-bass trombonist appearances with the Broadway smash-hit Cats at the Shubert Theater, as well as with numerous Guild Opera Company productions such as Donizetti's The Elixir of Love, and Gilbert & Sullivan's The Mikado for children from under-served communities in Los Angeles.
A more-than-capable classical artist as well, Peter has performed such demanding pieces as Igor Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring, and Gustov Holtz’ The Planets with the Hidden Valley Festival Orchestra, under conductor Dr. Michael Zearott, in Carmel, CA, among others, and has concertized with various orchestras and brass ensembles throughout L.A.
Mr. Beltran has performed at such venerable venues as: Carnegie Hall, Radio City Music Hall, Avery Fisher Hall (now David Geffen Hall), and Madison Square Garden, in New York; the Ambassador Auditorium, Royce Hall, The Greek Theater, and Universal Ampitheater in Los Angeles; The Sands Hotel and Resort in Las Vegas; the Fox Theater in Atlanta; Places des Arts in Montreal; the Vienna Opera House; Royal Festival Hall in London; State Theatre in Sydney, Queensland Performing Arts, Arts Center in Melbourne, Crown Theatre in Perth, and Adelaide Festival Centre in Australia, and such iconic venues as Santiago de Campostela Cathedral in Spain, and The Campo Pequeno Bullring and Stadium in Lisbon, Portugal, among others.
Mr. Beltran has played major jazz festivals in the U.S., and in Europe, such as: the Nice Jazz Festival in Nice, France; the Belgium Rhythm 'N' Blues Festival in Peer, Belgium; the Blackpool International Jazz Festival in Blackpool, England; the "Jazz in Paradise" Cancun Jazz Festival in Mexico; the Playboy Jazz Festival at the Hollywood Bowl, and the Monterey Jazz Festival; the Chicago Jazz Festival at Navy Pier, and Ravinia and Meadowbrook Jazz Festivals in Illinois; and Wolf Trap in Vienna, VA, in addition to many others worldwide. Pete has appeared in such iconic nightclubs as The Blue Note, and The Vanguard in New York; Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club in London, England; the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco; J.B. Scott's in Albany, NY, and many more, and performed at colleges, universities, and high schools from coast-to-coast.
Altogether, Mr. Beltran has performed in every state of the United States (except Hawaii), as well as in Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, The Dominican Republic, England, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, The Netherlands (Holland), Norway, The Philippines, Portugal, Russia, Scotland, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Uruguay, and West Germany.
With regards to under-privileged children, taking a needed break from the music industry in 1995, and wanting to give back, Mr. Beltran served a year as a Salesian Missionary Volunteer, working primarily with low-income and farm worker kids at the St. Francis Youth Center (known affectionately as "The Penny Club") in Watsonville, CA. Having a special affection for children and animals (particularly brown ones), Peter found the experience of that incredibly hard-working year transformative, and profoundly rewarding.
At 64, Peter is currently resuming the pursuit of his BA degree in music at California State University Los Angeles, with the goal of joining the faculty. He is a member of both the Phi Kappa Phi, and Golden Key International Honor Societies, and serves as a lector and Eucharistic minister at his parish, St. Anthony Catholic Church, in San Gabriel, CA. When he is not practicing, studying, or listening to music, Peter enjoys reading, gardening, cooking, and playing with his beloved Miniature Schnauzer, "Winston."
A note of acknowledgment and gratitude:
I would be remiss not to acknowledge some very influential people in my musical life, with whom I've had the privilege of performing and/or recording. Many I am further blessed to count as cherished friends. They include:
Tenor Saxophone
Bob Cooper- R.I.P., Pete Christlieb, Don Menza, Bob Mintzer (tenor & baritone), Steve Marcus (tenor, soprano & clarinet)- R.I.P., Benny Maupin, Roger Neumann- R.I.P., Dick Mitchell (tenor & soprano), Ray Hermann, Bill Perkins, Walt Weiskopf, Gary Pribek, Ken Hitchcock, Benny Maupin, Justo Almario, John Stephens, Dave Posey, Gary Herbig, Pat Ingram, Larry Covelli, Jim Quam, Mel Kunkle, Ian Dahlberg, (woodwinds), Tony Garcia
Alto Saxophone
Phil Woods- R.I.P, Lanny Morgan, Bob Militello (alto & soprano), Andy Fusco (alto & flute), Chuck Wilson, Charles Owens, Ray Reed, Kim Richmond (alto and woodwinds), Mike Smith, Dave D'Angelo, Joe Romano, Ted Nash, Steve Elliot- R.I.P., Anne Patterson, Jim Ercole (woodwinds), Adolfo "Fuzzy" Martinez
Baritone Saxophone
Bob Efford (baritone & bass clarinet), Keith Bishop (baritone & woodwinds), Bob Mintzer, Turso "Turk" Mauro, Glen Wilson, Greg Smith, James Farnsworth- R.I.P., Jim Sharpe, Beverly Dahlke
Trumpet
John Madrid- R.I.P., Harry James, Conti Condoli- R.I.P., Carl Saunders, Frank Szabo- R.I.P., Dennis Farias- R.I.P., Roger Ingram, Wayne Bergeron, Charles Turner, Sal Cracchiolo, Dave Stahl, Bob Coassin, Simo Salimenen, Greg Wing, John Thomas (no. 2), John Thomas (no. 1), Walt Johnson, Joe Davis- R.I.P., John Harborough, Gary Halopoff, Bob Summers, Oscar Brashear, Don Rader, Waymon Reed, Ron Stout, Steve Huffstetter, Walt Fowler, John Marshall, Bob Doll, Clay Jenkins, Little Johnny Coles, Mike "Jack" McGovern, Steve Lambert, John Harbaugh, Doug Clark, Ken Scharf, Chris Paisin, Dave Hoffman (trumpet, comp. & arr.), Larry Lunetta, Darrel Gardner, Scott Wright, Brian Mantz, Howie Shearer, Stacy Rowles, Bobby Rodriguez, Bobby Loya, Mike Mercado, Paul Lopez (trumpet, comp. & arr.)- R.I.P., Nick "Count" Buono
Trombone
Jack Redmond, Scott Whitfield, Andy Martin, Rick Culver, Bob Enevoldsen (valve trombone)- R.I.P., Charlie Loper, Jacques Voyemant, Ernie Carlson, Bob Payne, John Ervin, John Allred, Bob McChesney, Bruce Fowler, Al Kaplan, Eric Jorgensen, Garnet Brown, Bill Reichenbach (tenor & bass), Jon Bonine, Craig Ware (tenor & bass), Dave Wells, Tom Padveen- R.I.P., Pete Enblom, Roger Homefield, Rick Stepton, Conrad Herwig, Sonny Russo, Sal Randazzo, Mike Henschell, Art Velasco, Steve Davis , Brian Matson, Alex Iles, Dave Beatty, Denny Brunke, Dan Weinstein
Bass Trombone
Bob Sanders
Tuba
Don Butterfield
French Horn
Ron Loofbarrow
Bass
Bruce Lett, James Hughart, Gene Shirico, Monty Budwig- R.I.P., Dave Carpenter- R.I.P., Mike Boone, Mike Flick
Piano
Ray Charles- R.I.P., Alan Broadbent, Brad Cole, Vincente Falcone, Jr., Rich Eames, Terry Trotter, Lee Musiker, Tommy Todd- R.I.P., Eddie Cano- R.I.P., Ernest Vantrease (piano & organ), Dr. Paul de Castro, Sam Garcia, Serge Kasimoff, Mark Balling, Woody Tavis
Guitar
Alfred Viola, Tony Matola, Barry Zweig, Ron Eschete, Martin Shinn
Drums
Buddy Rich- R.I.P., Harvey Mason, Harold Jones, Jeff Hamilton, Sonny Payne- R.I.P., Irv Cotler- R.I.P., NDUGU- R.I.P., Paul Kreibich, Bob Fowler, Russ Henry, Angel Orozco
Timbales
Alex Acuna, Ramon Banda
Congas/Bongo
MTUMBE, Arturo "Ture" Oliva, Reggie Roig (bongo)
Vocalists
Sandi Shoemake, Wendy Smith-Brune, Stephanie Caravella
A special thanks to my music educators, especially:
Mr. Dennis Guillaume (classical alto & tenor sax and piano), who demonstrated by example how to really practice, and who one day in 7th grade band class played piano accompaniment for all willing to play "Nobody Knows the Troubles I See," revealing to me for the first time as I played my clarinet how beautiful and moving soloing can be;
Mr. Charles Piper, who I first had as a beginning clarinet player in 4th grade summer school- the same, kind man who allowed me one morning in 9th grade as first chair clarinetist, to join the trombone section- and never look back.
Mr. R. Barry Ulrich (tenor sax & flute) who invited me as a newly-minted sophomore and trombonist with a school-loaned bass trombone at Montebello High School to join the stage band.
Which brings me to a story:
I was fortunate to be on the tail end of an era, when all the famous big bands were still on the road.
One day in New York, I discovered there were five band buses parked on the corner of 8th Ave. and 47th St: ours (Buddy Rich's), Ray Charles', Count Basie's, Maynard Ferguson's, and the Dorsey band bus. Apparently, we all had a leave time around 2:00 P.M. because at around 1:30 there were what seemed to be a hundred guys, most of whom knew each other. Everyone was talking, laughing, catching up with each other, swapping war stories, taking pictures, and trading t-shirts, all while running to grab sandwiches and cokes either at Smilers' or the Gayley Deli. A short time later everyone separated, we all boarded our respective buses, and they all roared to life, generating a massive cloud of diesel smoke—and we all went our separate ways. That never happened again.
This story comes to mind, and I hope you enjoyed it, because it serves as a great illustration of what I say about having been on the tail end of an era. I was also on the tail end of another as a youth, wherein musical instruction began in elementary school in the Montebello Unified School District. The two, of course, are not unrelated.
When I was young, any kid who wanted to learn to play an instrument could start in grade school. There was an old man, I think his name was Mr. Stevens, who went around all the schools and taught all of the most common instruments. I never had him, though. By the time kids got to what was then junior high (grades 7-9) they had the rudiments down and could play pretty well in ensembles. By the time they got to high school many were skilled musicians, and a few were fanatics who became monsters. People like trumpeter John Madrid, and bassist Ken Walther, who preceded me. These were superb musicians, who went on to build fabulous careers, and all because they started young and got the support and education they needed. I am a firm believer, therefore, in the importance of arts education. Because I had the benefit of it as a youth, everything else became possible.
One more thing: Stay away from drugs and alcohol. They poison the mind and the body and rob you of life. If you think you have a problem, seek help. I did, although I wish I'd done so sooner because if I had, and had a better attitude, there's no telling what I could've accomplished. But, as they say, "better late than never," and with nearly 13 years of sobriety, and many more without marijuana, I have a new lease and outlook on life, and see a bright future filled with opportunity and meaning.
Finally, I'd like to thank my current jazz program director at Cal State LA, Dr. James Ford, for his intelligence, incredible depth-of-knowledge, love for us, his students, and especially for his dedication to those who lack what he refers to as "access to information." I went and saw the Thad Jones Mel Lewis tribute band downtown recently and saw jazz tenor great Bob Mintzer, who I recorded a live album with Buddy Rich at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club in London in 1982, and heard for the first time the legendary bassist and bandleader John Clayton. When I introduced myself to him, and said I'm studying with Dr. Ford, he smiled and said, "You're a lucky young man." He's right.
Thank you for visiting my website. I welcome your comments. Now, I invite you to listen to some great music. Go to the Events Page, where you'll see a complete discography. At the bottom, click LEARN MORE, and have a great day!!
"My mission—as an artist, teacher, mentor and friend—is to pass along my knowledge, experience and passion for music to the young, particularly the most disadvantaged, and to make the world a better place by what I do."
Welcome to my website, and time capsule. Before you begin, quick question. Are you the type of person with little time (or patience) for having to read through a lot of stuff, and would just like to hear some great music?
Then, by all means, go to the Events Page, scroll down (past discography) and click Learn More, and go straight to the music! Please just give it time for the recordings to upload.
Note: recordings start with Natalie Cole, for which there are restrictions about their being on any other websites besides YouTube. So, please, just click the YouTube link provided. This does not apply to any other recordings. Thank you! Now, for the other two of you, please read on...
Native Los Angeles-area musician Peter Renard (“Pete”) Beltran is a uniquely-talented, highly-accomplished and versatile tenor and bass trombonist, skilled in a wide variety of musical genres from R&B, Commercial, Latin, and Jazz, to Classical. He studied principally with renowned studio trombonist and teacher Roy G. Main, Bill Tole, and with recording artist and Grammy- winning-Clare-Fisher-band-member Jacques Voyemant. In his youth, Peter was a fixture of the studio jazz scenes at LA Valley, East Los Angeles, and LA City Colleges in the early 70’s, and at Cal State LA beginning in 1976.
First venturing on the road at the tender age of 19, Pete toured the Pacific Northwest in 1974 with an L.A.-based-Top-40-R&B band, and in Canada in '75. Soon, he would fulfill his dream of playing with the "name" big bands, when he landed the bass trombone chair with the Harry James Orchestra in 1977, then went on to join the Buddy Rich Big Band (1979-82), and the Ray Charles Orchestra (1991-94)—having the tremendous privilege of playing with these bands while their leaders and namesakes were still touring.
Mr. Beltran has toured as a Columbia Artist with Mel Torme, Jerry Lewis, and The McGuire Sisters, and internationally with the West Coast franchise of the Glenn Miller Orchestra from 2010 to 2012. In Los Angeles, Pete was a member of the Bill Holman Orchestra for nine years (1983-91), recording numerous albums with the band which include Jazz Grammy-nominated The Bill Holman Band, and Strollin', Satin Nights, and Collaboration albums with pianist, vibraphonist, and jazz instructor par excellence Charlie Shoemake. In addition, Pete was selected by Mr. Holman to record some of his master arrangements for Natalie Cole on Unforgettable, her loving tribute to her father, the great Nat King Cole, thereby distinguishing Peter as one of only two bass trombonists—along with some 150 other artists— as among the finest musicians in Los Angeles and, by extension, the world.
Pete has backed, or recorded with, such artists as Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Mel Torme, Nancy Wilson, Natalie Cole, Frank Sinatra, Jr., Jerry Lewis, Stan Getz, Gerry Mulligan, Lionel Hampton, Woody Herman, Dave Brubeck, Rance Allen, The Mills Brothers (all four), Anita O’Day, Barbara Eden, Sue Raney, and Peggy Lee, among others.
He has recorded on film scores and appeared in film and television, including The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon, and The Merv Griffin Show in the U.S., and The Michael Parkinson Show and The Val Doonican Show in the U.K. His pit orchestra experience includes a national tour with the Joseph Papp Production of The Pirates of Penzance, and substitute-bass trombonist appearances with the Broadway smash-hit Cats at the Shubert Theater, as well as with numerous Guild Opera Company productions such as Donizetti's The Elixir of Love, and Gilbert & Sullivan's The Mikado for children from under-served communities in Los Angeles.
A more-than-capable classical artist as well, Peter has performed such demanding pieces as Igor Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring, and Gustov Holtz’ The Planets with the Hidden Valley Festival Orchestra, under conductor Dr. Michael Zearott, in Carmel, CA, among others, and has concertized with various orchestras and brass ensembles throughout L.A.
Mr. Beltran has performed at such venerable venues as: Carnegie Hall, Radio City Music Hall, Avery Fisher Hall (now David Geffen Hall), and Madison Square Garden, in New York; the Ambassador Auditorium, Royce Hall, The Greek Theater, and Universal Ampitheater in Los Angeles; The Sands Hotel and Resort in Las Vegas; the Fox Theater in Atlanta; Places des Arts in Montreal; the Vienna Opera House; Royal Festival Hall in London; State Theatre in Sydney, Queensland Performing Arts, Arts Center in Melbourne, Crown Theatre in Perth, and Adelaide Festival Centre in Australia, and such iconic venues as Santiago de Campostela Cathedral in Spain, and The Campo Pequeno Bullring and Stadium in Lisbon, Portugal, among others.
Mr. Beltran has played major jazz festivals in the U.S., and in Europe, such as: the Nice Jazz Festival in Nice, France; the Belgium Rhythm 'N' Blues Festival in Peer, Belgium; the Blackpool International Jazz Festival in Blackpool, England; the "Jazz in Paradise" Cancun Jazz Festival in Mexico; the Playboy Jazz Festival at the Hollywood Bowl, and the Monterey Jazz Festival; the Chicago Jazz Festival at Navy Pier, and Ravinia and Meadowbrook Jazz Festivals in Illinois; and Wolf Trap in Vienna, VA, in addition to many others worldwide. Pete has appeared in such iconic nightclubs as The Blue Note, and The Vanguard in New York; Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club in London, England; the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco; J.B. Scott's in Albany, NY, and many more, and performed at colleges, universities, and high schools from coast-to-coast.
Altogether, Mr. Beltran has performed in every state of the United States (except Hawaii), as well as in Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, The Dominican Republic, England, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, The Netherlands (Holland), Norway, The Philippines, Portugal, Russia, Scotland, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Uruguay, and West Germany.
With regards to under-privileged children, taking a needed break from the music industry in 1995, and wanting to give back, Mr. Beltran served a year as a Salesian Missionary Volunteer, working primarily with low-income and farm worker kids at the St. Francis Youth Center (known affectionately as "The Penny Club") in Watsonville, CA. Having a special affection for children and animals (particularly brown ones), Peter found the experience of that incredibly hard-working year transformative, and profoundly rewarding.
At 64, Peter is currently resuming the pursuit of his BA degree in music at California State University Los Angeles, with the goal of joining the faculty. He is a member of both the Phi Kappa Phi, and Golden Key International Honor Societies, and serves as a lector and Eucharistic minister at his parish, St. Anthony Catholic Church, in San Gabriel, CA. When he is not practicing, studying, or listening to music, Peter enjoys reading, gardening, cooking, and playing with his beloved Miniature Schnauzer, "Winston."
A note of acknowledgment and gratitude:
I would be remiss not to acknowledge some very influential people in my musical life, with whom I've had the privilege of performing and/or recording. Many I am further blessed to count as cherished friends. They include:
Tenor Saxophone
Bob Cooper- R.I.P., Pete Christlieb, Don Menza, Bob Mintzer (tenor & baritone), Steve Marcus (tenor, soprano & clarinet)- R.I.P., Benny Maupin, Roger Neumann- R.I.P., Dick Mitchell (tenor & soprano), Ray Hermann, Bill Perkins, Walt Weiskopf, Gary Pribek, Ken Hitchcock, Benny Maupin, Justo Almario, John Stephens, Dave Posey, Gary Herbig, Pat Ingram, Larry Covelli, Jim Quam, Mel Kunkle, Ian Dahlberg, (woodwinds), Tony Garcia
Alto Saxophone
Phil Woods- R.I.P, Lanny Morgan, Bob Militello (alto & soprano), Andy Fusco (alto & flute), Chuck Wilson, Charles Owens, Ray Reed, Kim Richmond (alto and woodwinds), Mike Smith, Dave D'Angelo, Joe Romano, Ted Nash, Steve Elliot- R.I.P., Anne Patterson, Jim Ercole (woodwinds), Adolfo "Fuzzy" Martinez
Baritone Saxophone
Bob Efford (baritone & bass clarinet), Keith Bishop (baritone & woodwinds), Bob Mintzer, Turso "Turk" Mauro, Glen Wilson, Greg Smith, James Farnsworth- R.I.P., Jim Sharpe, Beverly Dahlke
Trumpet
John Madrid- R.I.P., Harry James, Conti Condoli- R.I.P., Carl Saunders, Frank Szabo- R.I.P., Dennis Farias- R.I.P., Roger Ingram, Wayne Bergeron, Charles Turner, Sal Cracchiolo, Dave Stahl, Bob Coassin, Simo Salimenen, Greg Wing, John Thomas (no. 2), John Thomas (no. 1), Walt Johnson, Joe Davis- R.I.P., John Harborough, Gary Halopoff, Bob Summers, Oscar Brashear, Don Rader, Waymon Reed, Ron Stout, Steve Huffstetter, Walt Fowler, John Marshall, Bob Doll, Clay Jenkins, Little Johnny Coles, Mike "Jack" McGovern, Steve Lambert, John Harbaugh, Doug Clark, Ken Scharf, Chris Paisin, Dave Hoffman (trumpet, comp. & arr.), Larry Lunetta, Darrel Gardner, Scott Wright, Brian Mantz, Howie Shearer, Stacy Rowles, Bobby Rodriguez, Bobby Loya, Mike Mercado, Paul Lopez (trumpet, comp. & arr.)- R.I.P., Nick "Count" Buono
Trombone
Jack Redmond, Scott Whitfield, Andy Martin, Rick Culver, Bob Enevoldsen (valve trombone)- R.I.P., Charlie Loper, Jacques Voyemant, Ernie Carlson, Bob Payne, John Ervin, John Allred, Bob McChesney, Bruce Fowler, Al Kaplan, Eric Jorgensen, Garnet Brown, Bill Reichenbach (tenor & bass), Jon Bonine, Craig Ware (tenor & bass), Dave Wells, Tom Padveen- R.I.P., Pete Enblom, Roger Homefield, Rick Stepton, Conrad Herwig, Sonny Russo, Sal Randazzo, Mike Henschell, Art Velasco, Steve Davis , Brian Matson, Alex Iles, Dave Beatty, Denny Brunke, Dan Weinstein
Bass Trombone
Bob Sanders
Tuba
Don Butterfield
French Horn
Ron Loofbarrow
Bass
Bruce Lett, James Hughart, Gene Shirico, Monty Budwig- R.I.P., Dave Carpenter- R.I.P., Mike Boone, Mike Flick
Piano
Ray Charles- R.I.P., Alan Broadbent, Brad Cole, Vincente Falcone, Jr., Rich Eames, Terry Trotter, Lee Musiker, Tommy Todd- R.I.P., Eddie Cano- R.I.P., Ernest Vantrease (piano & organ), Dr. Paul de Castro, Sam Garcia, Serge Kasimoff, Mark Balling, Woody Tavis
Guitar
Alfred Viola, Tony Matola, Barry Zweig, Ron Eschete, Martin Shinn
Drums
Buddy Rich- R.I.P., Harvey Mason, Harold Jones, Jeff Hamilton, Sonny Payne- R.I.P., Irv Cotler- R.I.P., NDUGU- R.I.P., Paul Kreibich, Bob Fowler, Russ Henry, Angel Orozco
Timbales
Alex Acuna, Ramon Banda
Congas/Bongo
MTUMBE, Arturo "Ture" Oliva, Reggie Roig (bongo)
Vocalists
Sandi Shoemake, Wendy Smith-Brune, Stephanie Caravella
A special thanks to my music educators, especially:
Mr. Dennis Guillaume (classical alto & tenor sax and piano), who demonstrated by example how to really practice, and who one day in 7th grade band class played piano accompaniment for all willing to play "Nobody Knows the Troubles I See," revealing to me for the first time as I played my clarinet how beautiful and moving soloing can be;
Mr. Charles Piper, who I first had as a beginning clarinet player in 4th grade summer school- the same, kind man who allowed me one morning in 9th grade as first chair clarinetist, to join the trombone section- and never look back.
Mr. R. Barry Ulrich (tenor sax & flute) who invited me as a newly-minted sophomore and trombonist with a school-loaned bass trombone at Montebello High School to join the stage band.
Which brings me to a story:
I was fortunate to be on the tail end of an era, when all the famous big bands were still on the road.
One day in New York, I discovered there were five band buses parked on the corner of 8th Ave. and 47th St: ours (Buddy Rich's), Ray Charles', Count Basie's, Maynard Ferguson's, and the Dorsey band bus. Apparently, we all had a leave time around 2:00 P.M. because at around 1:30 there were what seemed to be a hundred guys, most of whom knew each other. Everyone was talking, laughing, catching up with each other, swapping war stories, taking pictures, and trading t-shirts, all while running to grab sandwiches and cokes either at Smilers' or the Gayley Deli. A short time later everyone separated, we all boarded our respective buses, and they all roared to life, generating a massive cloud of diesel smoke—and we all went our separate ways. That never happened again.
This story comes to mind, and I hope you enjoyed it, because it serves as a great illustration of what I say about having been on the tail end of an era. I was also on the tail end of another as a youth, wherein musical instruction began in elementary school in the Montebello Unified School District. The two, of course, are not unrelated.
When I was young, any kid who wanted to learn to play an instrument could start in grade school. There was an old man, I think his name was Mr. Stevens, who went around all the schools and taught all of the most common instruments. I never had him, though. By the time kids got to what was then junior high (grades 7-9) they had the rudiments down and could play pretty well in ensembles. By the time they got to high school many were skilled musicians, and a few were fanatics who became monsters. People like trumpeter John Madrid, and bassist Ken Walther, who preceded me. These were superb musicians, who went on to build fabulous careers, and all because they started young and got the support and education they needed. I am a firm believer, therefore, in the importance of arts education. Because I had the benefit of it as a youth, everything else became possible.
One more thing: Stay away from drugs and alcohol. They poison the mind and the body and rob you of life. If you think you have a problem, seek help. I did, although I wish I'd done so sooner because if I had, and had a better attitude, there's no telling what I could've accomplished. But, as they say, "better late than never," and with nearly 13 years of sobriety, and many more without marijuana, I have a new lease and outlook on life, and see a bright future filled with opportunity and meaning.
Finally, I'd like to thank my current jazz program director at Cal State LA, Dr. James Ford, for his intelligence, incredible depth-of-knowledge, love for us, his students, and especially for his dedication to those who lack what he refers to as "access to information." I went and saw the Thad Jones Mel Lewis tribute band downtown recently and saw jazz tenor great Bob Mintzer, who I recorded a live album with Buddy Rich at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club in London in 1982, and heard for the first time the legendary bassist and bandleader John Clayton. When I introduced myself to him, and said I'm studying with Dr. Ford, he smiled and said, "You're a lucky young man." He's right.
Thank you for visiting my website. I welcome your comments. Now, I invite you to listen to some great music. Go to the Events Page, where you'll see a complete discography. At the bottom, click LEARN MORE, and have a great day!!
