Legendary Artists wrote:Most of us would agree that William Bell and Arnold Jacobs were probably the most influential tubists of the 20th century.
My question - in which both parts must be answered to be considered a valid response is:
1. Who are the most influential tubists living today?;
2. Why are they the most influential?
Okay, if Bell and Jacobs are the most influential of 20th-century tuba players no longer alive, then why would that be? Is it because of their virtuosity? Their impression on the public consciousness? The success of their students? Their design input into instruments? How widely they have been heard?
I submit that these are just facets of influence.
I think a player is influential when he (or she) establishes a playing standard that radically redefines the capabilities of the instrument. Now, they may accomplish this using the more narrow influences above. Certainly both Bell and Jacobs meet this criteria, though Helleberg does also (and he was alive in the 20th Century).
But the tuba has gone into so many directions now that it's close to impossible to see who it is that is really redefining the instrument and who it is making noises that won't affect future practice. The point of influence is that it is subtle, and thus I don't think you can see its effects until substantial time has passed.
Bobo would certainly be on that short list. And so would Tommy Johnson, except that those sounds he has made that pushed the boundaries don't get known outside the movie world as tuba sounds. Phillips certainly can take credit for many of the items on my list above (in terms of commissions, successful students, instrument design, public consciousness, etc.), and he did expand what we thought we could do with a tuba. Parantoni has had a ton of successful students and also had a big role in instrument design. Sheridan redefines the instrument from the point of view of technique, and so does Pilafian, but then so do Szentpali and especially Baadsvik. Daellenbach is widely heard (as is Johnson and Jim Self), but has he redefined the instrument? What about European players such as Fletcher (of course, not qualified for this list) and Lind?
Of all of these, Bobo still seems pretty high on the short list.
But I think we won't know who had the overarching influence until much time has gone by. After all, back in their heyday, Jacobs and Bell were just tuba players who were particularly well-known--among tuba players. Their real influence wasn't apparent until much later, and then in some measure because they had champions to keep their memory on the forefront.
Rick "who can't think of anyone who changed current thinking about what is possible more than Bobo" Denney
