Every now and then the name of arranger Paul Chauvin pops up here. I learned about 2 weeks ago from an Orange County DA that Paul passed away in his home on September 28, 2016.
Paul was probably most well known for his Brass Quintet arrangements of which many can be heard here:
https://www.amazon.com/Wacky-Winsome-Wo ... B000003J4K
About 2 years ago, Paul contacted me and was wondering about publishing some of his works. As a HUGE Chauvin fan, I was both stunned and flattered. First because I think he is a great arranger and secondly because many of us had been looking for Paul for years and have had no luck finding him or his arrangements. He simply disappeared at some point. When I say disappeared, I mean no one has been able to find him in years and according to the DA he is completely stumped on finding any relatives/heirs or much information on Paul at all. I kind of think Paul wanted it that way and simply wanted to write more music.
I (Cimarron Music Press) agreed to publish anything Paul wanted to send. How could I not publish it? And WOW did he start sending. All in manuscript as Paul did not use a computer. For those 2 years, I would get 3-5 packages of music a month from Paul. Some older pieces going back to 1971, but also many arranged between 2014 until his death.
To get things published, this is how the process worked with Paul:
He would send, I would engrave, I would send the new version back and then we would talk (hours many times simply talking about arranging) and edit on the phone. Basically he would tell me where I messed up! During those editing conversations, I once asked if he had any Tuba Quartet music. He said a few pieces and would send them eventually. First came a set of duets:
http://www.cimarronmusic.com/dizzy-duets
I think they are neat, fun and challenging.
Then came a package of tuba quartets. Not a couple, but 25 in one package! Then another package, another package and another package and...you get the picture. In 2016, Paul arranged and sent me 115 Tuba Quartet arrangements! The few Christmas Quartets can be found here:
http://www.cimarronmusic.com/chauvinchristmas
I am working on the rest slowly...
Paul also continued to send Brass Quintets, more duets, Double Brass Quintets, Trios, etc. I have about 6 feet of manuscript Paul sent along.
The latest piece is a Low Brass Trio:
http://www.cimarronmusic.com/travelinmedley
Special $5.00 price this weekend, but enough of that
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There was no obituary for Paul as there are no relatives to be found, but I am hoping to collect stories, if anyone has any, about Paul or just his music and write an article at some point.
If you have anything, please email me here: bvdpress@gmail.com" target="_blank" target="_blank
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For now, I will continue to plug away to Paul's music. If only I had more hours in each day. More of his charts can be found here:
http://www.cimarronmusic.com/catalogsea ... &q=chauvin
Or just his Brass Quintets:
http://www.cimarronmusic.com/catalogsea ... &q=chauvin
Thanks for listening,
Bryan