'Jumbo Summit 2009'

[mammoth2ba]

I see no bandmaster. Was he pushed off the stage?

Klaus

No Klaus, the conductor was _blown off_ the stage!

Seriously though, there is _no conductor_ and _no rehearsal_ for this summer concert series. One of the band officers assesses the instrumentation for the evening (nobody is obligated to play, though many do play often), and calls out the book color and number of the piece to be played. I've missed very few concerts in the past 5 years, and am still occasionally sightreading.

The band has enough stalwarts, some of whom have played most Thursday evenings since 1947, that it is fairly easy to "assimilate" new members. Some players play one evening each _year_ during their week's vacation to the area.

Kudos to Neptune and Tubatinker for helping make what turned out to be a very memorable evening and concert.

When I first played with the band, one of the members told me _no amount of bass would be considered too much_ for this group. Jumbo Summit 2009 may have tested that concept, but I did not hear a single complaint......and there were many compliments!

[Dan Schultz]

Are you sure about the title of the piece recorded being “Them Basses”?

Well spotted Klaus. I linked to wrong track - "Them Basses" can be heard at http://www.humyo.com/F/9306289-868355739. That other track is "Band of America" as said by 1895 king.

Sorry, they are all new marches to me!

The formulas of these two marches aren’t too different, but we had a thread on Them Basses within the last year or two, so I won’t forget that one. Band of America is new to my ears. The basses appear to be rather prominent, but maybe that is because the mid-low brasses are not too loud.

You almost outgrew the gazebo. I see no bandmaster. Was he pushed off the stage?

Klaus

There were about 60 musicians present. The Pentwater Civic Band is basically a 'pick-up' group that was formed in 1947. The music is maintained locally but anyone who wishes can just show up and play. Many of the musicians knew each other but there were several in the group who were there for their first time. No rehearsals.... only concerts every Thursday evening in July and August. I heard someone say that they had a director at one time but decided it wasn't worth the effort. Some of the 'old reliables' choose the tunes and the snare drummer does a roll-off.

The recording was made perhaps 120 (or so) feet away from the bandstand..... plenty of distance to allow the bass frequencies to fully develop. We were standing on a wheel chair ramp behind the floor of the gazebo. The low brass (trombones and euphoniums) were actually quite prominent from our perspective. I could hardly hear our sousas from behind the bells.

Just a note.... several of the musicians also play with the World-famous Scottville Clown Band in a nearby town. Friday evening I enjoyed a performance by them at the music festival at Ludington. The Scottville Clown Band dates back to 1903 and was continuous until shortly before WW2... when many of members were called off to war. It reformed in 1947.

[mammoth2ba]

several of the musicians also play with the World-famous Scottburg Clown Band in a nearby town. The Scottburg Clown Band dates back to 1903 and was continuous until shortly before WW2... when many of members were called off to war. It reformed in 1947.

Actually, it's the ScottVILLE Clown Band:
http://www.scottvilleclownband.com/" target="_blank
but perfectly understandable that you'd mistake it, being from Newburgh!

"The Big Noise from Scottville, since 1903"

FWIW, about 8 of the "1947 reformation" members still play in the band(s).

[46K]

Hi,
Thanks for the music and the pics!
Wonderfull to see /hear 3 jumbos together. Sadly that is very unlikely to happen over here... I don't know of any other jumbo's in Europe . And whenever our band is joined by an extra bass it makes more sense to bring the 20K for reasons of blending...

What mouthpieces do you guys use on them?
So far the wick 1 works best for me on this horn.

Cheers,
Mark

[Dan Schultz]

several of the musicians also play with the World-famous Scottburg Clown Band in a nearby town. The Scottburg Clown Band dates back to 1903 and was continuous until shortly before WW2... when many of members were called off to war. It reformed in 1947.

Actually, it's the ScottVILLE Clown Band:
http://www.scottvilleclownband.com/" target="_blank" target="_blank
but perfectly understandable that you'd mistake it, being from Newburgh!

"The Big Noise from Scottville, since 1903"

FWIW, about 8 of the "1947 reformation" members still play in the band(s).

I KNEW there was something wrong with that post when I wrote it! I looked it over several times and still made that mistake. Duh!

[Dan Schultz]

Hi,
Thanks for the music and the pics!
Wonderfull to see /hear 3 jumbos together. Sadly that is very unlikely to happen over here... I don't know of any other jumbo's in Europe . And whenever our band is joined by an extra bass it makes more sense to bring the 20K for reasons of blending...

What mouthpieces do you guys use on them?
So far the wick 1 works best for me on this horn.

Cheers,
Mark

The wife and I were talking just last night about a trip to Europe in 2010... possibly with a polka group I play with. But, it's not likely I'll be taking along the 'Jumbos'.

I was using a PT-48x mouthpiece on that particular day. I often use a PT-50 or even a Kelly KT-50 (plastic PT-50 copy) when playing outside.

[mammoth2ba]

Rather than a "summit", wouldn't this be classified as a "base" ?

Well, I was thinking of summit by the "meeting" definition.

How about "BASS Summit"?

[mammoth2ba]

What mouthpieces do you guys use on them?

I like the Stofer Geib on mine.

[Dan Schultz]

What mouthpieces do you guys use on them?

I like the Stofer Geib on mine.

I had a Stofer Geib with me. I like it a lot. But, I was trying out a PT-48x that I just bought. The results were good.


BTW... If there is any interest, I'll add a Conn 'Jumbo' page to my website. It might be fun to try to make a list of how many of these great horns are still around. Send me your information and I'll get to work on it.

Mammoth2ba and I are already talking about doing another 'Jumbo Summit'. Give us a shout it you're interested.

[Lew]

The 40K is feeling inadequate with its little 24" bell. I guess now I'm going to have to try to find a 48K to go with it. I guess I would have to bring the Distin helicon with the 30" bell to compete, but that has a much smaller bore and nowhere near the sound that those jumbos have.

[Dan Schultz]

..... I would have to bring the Distin helicon with the 30" bell to compete....

Can you post a picture of the Distin?

[Lew]

..... I would have to bring the Distin helicon with the 30" bell to compete....

Can you post a picture of the Distin?

I would but it is packed up for our move to Findlay, Ohio and I don't have any photos readily available.

[macwinty]

Hey, Dan... how about having the "Jumbo Summit" up here in Western Canada?? Bring both horns with you, you'll only need to take one home again!! My Mammoth will appreciate the company!

Winston

[Wyvern]

My Mammoth will appreciate the company!

Having seen one beside Jumbo, I think your Mammoth will suddenly feel rather small

For interest here is another track from the Jumbo Summit (I almost typed Jummit ). The Chicken Dance which the kids loved, but also well shows off the Jumbo sound
http://www.humyo.com/F/9306289-868537543

[Wyvern]

Here is another picture I have just been sent. Nice angle to show the size of the bell throat compared to my head (could get lost down there)!

[imperialbari]

Buut then: who needs a swimming pool if he has a Neptune?

Klaus