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I don't know if this thread has ever been done before, but what is your choice (don't give long lists of great players, just a single name) for the greatest all around tuba player ever, alive or dead? Arnold Jacobs? Bill Bell? Roger Bobo? Rex Conner? Tommy Johnson? Cast your vote. I will get the ball rolling with my vote for Roger Bobo.

By the way, just for the sake of throwing this out there - if I never hear anyone humming through and playing their tuba again, that would be toooo soon for me

Ok, I'll bite...

John Fletcher

John Tommy Johnson

Gene Pokorny!!!

*****

John Fletcher, Musician/Tuba Player

Arnold Jacobs

Don Harry. But question is very strange.

Justin Timberlake....anyone?

The best solo player I've heard is Pat Sheridan...that guy is crazy...he makes the hardest passages seem effortless and not to mention the musicality in his performance...he is truely the best solo player (but it's so hard to choose just one).

I can't say who's the best tuba player on the planet.
I find inspiration in the way Nat McIntosh plays sousaphone in the context of popular music music. To my ears, he found a very relevant and unique sound pallete and atitude to playing contemporary non classical tuba. He also has fantastic groove.

any links or mp3s available of Jim Dorschner? I'm not looking for p2p stuff, just a cut to give a listen. I found a link to the Rainbow Valley Dutchmen albums available, but I'd like to hear something first.

I don't think there is one best tuba player on the planet. Different players are better than others in different genres of music. The best soloist would not necessarily be best in an orchestra, while the best in an orchestra would not necessarily be best playing jazz, etc. Also, tastes in what is best vary and when you get to choosing between virtuoso players it is all a matter of taste.

I personally very much like the tone and style of Walter Hilgers from recording I have heard, but I also like many others as well.

I often wonder if the best is some supergenius player at an obscure college, band, or orchestra in Asia or Europe who we'll never hear of.

I have two favs.

Tommy J.
and
Abe Torchinsky

Al Baer
Tommy Johnson
Gene Pokorny
Mike Roylance

All great but in different ways, so there ya go.

First off, I'm surprised no one has mentioned Velvet Brown. I believe she deserves a spot on anyone's short list.

I'll limit my response to the best playing I've ever heard live. A number of years back I played in a group backing up Steve Sykes as the featured soloist. The performance was in an arena and our "green room" was a hockey locker room. Steve was in a corner warming up. He was playing so quietly you almost had to stick your head in the bell to hear him but every attack was spot on, his tone was gorgeous, and even the scales he played were alive and musical. Steve is a terrific musician, showman, arranger and conductor. He's also a great storyteller. If you ever have a chance to share a plate of curry and a beer with him don't pass it up.

MikeS wrote:

I'll limit my response to the best playing I've ever heard live. A number of years back I played in a group backing up Steve Sykes as the featured soloist. The performance was in an arena and our "green room" was a hockey locker room. Steve was in a corner warming up. He was playing so quietly you almost had to stick your head in the bell to hear him but every attack was spot on, his tone was gorgeous, and even the scales he played were alive and musical. Steve is a terrific musician, showman, arranger and conductor. He's also a great storyteller. If you ever have a chance to share a plate of curry and a beer with him don't pass it up.

I second Steve Sykes. A great player, all around nice guy and party animal.

He also saved me a bunch of money by letting me hear him play my old Sanders/Cerveny, thereby proving beyond the shadow of a doubt that it's the player and not the horn that's the biggest factor. I won't be replacing that horn until I can play it as well as he did. I did replace the mouthpiece on his advice, though

Jim

Neptune wrote:I don't think there is one best tuba player on the planet. Different players are better than others in different genres of music. The best soloist would not necessarily be best in an orchestra, while the best in an orchestra would not necessarily be best playing jazz, etc. Also, tastes in what is best vary and when you get to choosing between virtuoso players it is all a matter of taste.

I personally very much like the tone and style of Walter Hilgers from recording I have heard, but I also like many others as well.

I was wondering between the two of us who would be the first name Walter Hilgers! I wish that NDR/Wand Bruckner 8 was more widely available, so more people could hear what the definition of TONE PRODUCTION is. I definately agree with you on the other points as well. Everyone has their areas of strength.

Jens-Bjorn Larsen is quite amazing.