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Roland used to play on a Meinl Weston 45SLP - think he still does.
Anyone know where to get his recordings these days?
He has a second album out but I've never seen it anywhere.

No favourite Tubist for me - like a few different players for different situations.

John Fletcher is probably the top of my list. There are a few very close seconds though.

Lind

Bill Bell

Joe Novotny

Joe, do we need to talk?

I'd have to say Nat McIntosh. He does a lot of really cool stuff in his solos. Plus, I'm kinda partial to the jazz and hip-hop stuff.

My vote goes to Gene Pokorny simply because he can do it all, great soloist as well as orchestral player.

Nat McIntosh tops the list as far as the "freaks" go...

Hearing Gene play live with the trombones back in 1998 at the international trombone gathering inspired me. I was amazed at what he, and his collegues could do musically, however, It was the way he interacted with the audience that left the greatest impression on me. Everything about his nonverbal communication projected very a very humble musician, thankful to play and very happy, almost surprised, that the audience was as appreciative as they were. (although, they were a bunch of rogue, screaming trombone players listening to the Chicago Symphony low brass) His sound was rock solid, louder than the amplified bass that was playing in the same hall the day before and beautifully phrased. For a long time, I thought he was my "hands down" favorite tubist.

As time has passed, It has become difficult to have favorites when there are so many tubists who are superb players and really good people. We are almost like a family. Just when I think I have a favorite, I'll hear someone else who plays extremely well in a different way. I listen to Roger Bobo's recordings and like what I hear but the sound is different than many of today's players. It is really hard to compare any orchestral players on a big horn to what Pat Sheridan does with his Eb. There are so many different wonderful flavors in the tuba ice cream shop. I guess when it comes down to it, I am glad I don't have to pick just one favorite.

Velvet Brown is my favorite tuba player, but Gene is a close second, and Lee Jacobs follows him.

For those who subscribe to the "school of teaching by example," it is important to really like the sound of your instructor's playing because you will be emulating it.

Without detracting from my admiration of several renowned tubists who might qualify as choices for my "favourite tubist," I feel very fortunate that I love the sound produced by the person with whom I have studied tuba.

There must be something in the water in Montreal.

Ellis Wean and Dennis Miller just wow the heck out of me every time I listen to a Montreal recording over the past couple of decades.

Gene P. is the only competition for that.

For quintet stuff I have to say that Craig Knox is just amazing with the Center City Brass Quintet.

Steve Marcus wrote:For those who subscribe to the "school of teaching by example," it is important to really like the sound of your instructor's playing because you will be emulating it.

Without detracting from my admiration of several renowned tubists who might qualify as choices for my "favourite tubist," I feel very fortunate that I love the sound produced by the person with whom I have studied tuba.

Agreed (and very well said)!

Jim Self

Jim Self for me, too. I've never heard his technical playing, but to me he has the perfect tuba tone.

I simply can't decide between my two favorites, so they will both be listed:

Cooley and Lind.

Lind is nothing short of amazing on technical pieces. Every not is perfect, clean and smooth. And his tone is like butter.

Cooley absolutely makes the tuba sing...you can almost hear words coming out when he plays. Listen to him play the adagio from Schumann's "Adagio and Allegro" on his "A Schumann Fantasy" album and tell me you don't get goosebumps. If you don't, you might want to have someone take your pulse.

Nobody has mentioned Tommy Johnson. I guess I'm bias because he was my teacher, but he truly is the best. And most likely, the tubist each and every one of you have heard the most.

Tie! Jon Sass/Bob Stewart Peace. ASG

Just so many terrific players both dead and living.

The one thing I might add is I've been able to see so many of them in live performances and it is surprising to me how different my impressions have been based on listening to recordings and hearing/seeing a live performance. I think Arnold Jacobs in particular comes off much much better live versus the recordings. He was an amazing performer, teacher and human being. Kind of the triple threat.

Not taking away from the stage presence of other players but the only player I have ever seen where he commanded the stage in such a way, with such presence that you were watching a virtuoso was Roger Bobo. You forgot he was a tuba player. He was a diva. In fact from the moment he took the stage for a solo recital you never had a sense he was a tuba player -- but nothing less than the equivalent of Ithak Pearlman, Yo Yo Ma or Pavarotti

He took the instrument seriously and by that I mean he didn't feel the need to apologize for this ugly beast he was about to perform on. I've seen so many "star" tuba players who feel the need to make fun of the horn as if it's amazing that this freak instrument can have a beautiful solo voice.

This guy shows a lot of promise playing with his 6/4:

SeasoningSalt wrote: It will be interesting to see how we may reply to this post in, say, 50 or 60 years.

That is, if there are any orchestras left in 2055. Or even in 2015.