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It is with regret that I pass along news that tuba great Don Butterfield has passed away. I will follow up with more info as I collect it.

Sad news indeed.

Sad news indeed. Don was my first tuba teacher. He really is responsible for were I am today with my playing. I'll miss the lessons in his basement and the great stories of when he was a freelancer in NYC, back in the day. The last time I saw him was 2001 - we played a gig together with - a concert band in Brooklyn, I think. It was wonderful to play with him, and he really did sound great. Thinking back to that day, I'm really thankfull for that experience.

For those of you who studied with him, you might remember this phrase - "Straight Ahead"

For those of you who didn't, that was one of his key phrases.

You know, its funny, but I know if Don knew I was writing this, and not practicing, he would get pissed. Thats just how he was, keep on moving, straight ahead.

Charles Giannelli
US Army Band "Pershing's Own"

I was just thinking that it would be nice for those people who knew Don to chime in with a memory or two that they have of from over the years. Whether it be about playing the tuba or not he was quite a unique man with an amazing versatility as a musician.

This is indeed sad news. Don Butterfield will be remembered in the tuba world for years to come.

Many of our younger members are probably not familiar with Mr. Butterfield. Here is a biography that was written a few years ago - I hope all of you read about Mr. Butterfield's remarkable career.


Don Butterfield is among a select group of pioneering New York tuba players who helped bring the instrument into the modern jazz ensemble. Along with Bill Barber and Harvey Phillips, Butterfield convinced artists and arrangers alike that the tuba was a viable jazz instrument and could prove a welcomed addition to jazz ensembles of all sizes. Perhaps best known today for his work with Clark Terry and Charles Mingus, Don Butterfield was a regular on the New York freelance music scene for over fifty years, respected as a versatile and reliable artist in all musical genres.

Don Butterfield studied tuba at the Julliard School of Music under the tutelage of William J. “Billâ€

There will be a viewing for Don at Bizub-Quinlan Funeral Home on Thursday November 30th from 2-4 P.M. and 7-9 P.M.
Bizub-Quinlan Funeral Home
1313 Van Houten Avenue
Clifton, NJ 07013
Timothy J. Bizub, Manager
NJ Lic. No. 4022
973-546-2000
973-779-3749 Fax

As promised, here is the Obituary for Don, If anyone would like to attend the funeral but need help with directions please let me know as I live two towns away and should be able to help:



TUBA LEGEND DON BUTTERFIELD PLAYED
WITH EVERYONE FROM THE NEW YORK PHILHARMONIC TO MINGUS AND MOONDOG

World renowned tubist Don Butterfield passed away on November 27 after a stroke-related illness.

Mr. Butterfield, an in-demand studio musician, is generally credited with the commercialization of the tuba. He played on hundreds of albums, television
commercials, jingles and movie soundtracks from the 1940’s through the late 1990’s.

Mr. Butterfield, who was born in Centralia, Washington on April 1, 1923, fell in love with the big horn while in high school. After serving in the Army
Air Corp during W.W. II, he hitch-hiked with his tuba to New York City, where he auditioned for Bill Bell, who taught tuba at the Juilliard School and played with The New York Philharmonic. Mr. Bell's protégé soon joined the Goldman and Cities Service Band, under the direction of Paul Lavalle.

His velvety tone and agile technique won him recording dates with Dizzy Gillespie, Leonard Bernstein, Gerry Mulligan, Burt Bacharach, Mel Torme, Charles Mingus, Peggy Lee, Frank Sinatra, Oscar Peterson, John Cage, The Claude Thornhill Band, Johnny Mathis, and Janis Ian, to name a few. The sound of his tuba was also heard on well known jingles for Ajax and Budweiser as well as on movie soundtracks including the “Godfather IIâ€

Thanks, Brian, for the bio. And thanks, Jay, for the obit.

My first encounter with the name "Don Butterfied" was upon discovering a copy of his duets in my college library. A couple of us tuba guys played those duets almost to the point of memorization. And that was when they were quite challenging for us(maybe a little of reach, at that time). They were different from anything else we had ever played, and they were very enjoyable to play.

I never had the opportunity to meet him, but through others I have learned of the outstanding man he was. I am so sorry to hear of his passing.

Seeing the numbers on my eye exams showing a lot weaker in the left than the right, I often wish I'd followed Don's advice, which I originally heard second-hand, to have the leadpipe bent away from the bell. Possibly the best advice I didn't follow, and I'm paying for it.

Thanks, Don, for all your work and love of life and music.

Not only do I teach where Don used to teach(Montclair State University),but I played the Radio City Music Hall Christmas show today. Don used to play there for many many years. I was thinking about him all day. What a great man and musician. He will be missed.

Brian Nalepka wrote:Hello All,

As Don Butterfield's stepson and fellow tuba player, I would
like to thank you all on behalf of myself and my family for
the wonderful comments and outpouring of love for Don.
Anyone that "hoisted" a tuba up to their lips was considered
by Don to be one of his children. As most of you know, he
was quite a character and a generous person. He would be
thrilled and honored to see the attention you all have given
him.

Many thanks
Brian Nalepka

Thanks, Brian. I believe it is safe to say that the thoughts and prayers of many TubeNetters are with your family.