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[Karl H.]

Just finished a great concert in Ann Arbor at Pioneer High School. I usually hang out afterwards to 'meet and greet' the folks walking out of the concert hall. I was absolutely delighted to meet 'Larry' (I'm sorry; I always forget to ask/remember last names) a proud contributor of this board.

I also had a pleasant, but brief, chat with 'Phillip' who is a DMA student at U of Michigan. He's planning on some serious auditioning: Air Force band, Charlotte, Navy Band, etc. We talked a little about equipment (he has nicer horns than me), and I would have liked to chat longer than we did. But you know the military: they would have loved leaving me behind if I'd been late for the bus...

And another nice surprise occurred in Akron. A very kind, well-spoken gentleman came backstage after the concert and said "Hi, I'm Tucker Jolly." Tucker Jolly?! Tucker Jolly was a mythical, almost legendary name from way back in my beginner tuba days in Texas. As soon as I started to think of the tuba as something other than a sousaphone, I heard and wondered about this guy Tucker. I thought: interesting name. He's a Texan making a name for himself on the tuba. Maybe a Texan named 'Karl' would have a chance, too.

I was very glad to meet these fine folks. If any of y'all are in D.C., look me up and we'll grab a bite to eat and get to visit a while.

BTW, I have posted on the Navy Band Tour topic, but that's been banished to the 'Upcoming Events' area. Go there, read it, and let me know where I can get the Next Great Meal.

Karl "more than the Army travels on its stomach" H.

[Alex C]

And another nice surprise occurred in Akron. A very kind, well-spoken gentleman came backstage after the concert and said "Hi, I'm Tucker Jolly." Tucker Jolly?! Tucker Jolly was a mythical, almost legendary name from way back in my beginner tuba days in Texas. As soon as I started to think of the tuba as something other than a sousaphone, I heard and wondered about this guy Tucker. I thought: interesting name. He's a Texan making a name for himself on the tuba. Maybe a Texan named 'Karl' would have a chance, too.

Actually, Tuck Jolly is a native Mississippian who was a legend in high school as well. Maybe like Tom Malone, another Mississippian, they had to go through Texas to find their dream. I wouldn't take that as advice to move there though.

[skeath]

And another nice surprise occurred in Akron. A very kind, well-spoken gentleman came backstage after the concert and said "Hi, I'm Tucker Jolly."

Disclaimer: I am the OPs first teacher.

I met Tucker in 1967, before he was well-known. He had his first (I think) gig, with "Young Audiences", touring around central Texas with a brass quintet. He was living in Ft. Worth, and couldn't find anyone to talk tuba with, so he came to my college band rehearsal and found me. We met several times over the next few months and talked about mouthpieces and stuff. He knew more about those than I did. I saw him off and on over a few years, at conventions, but eventually lost touch.

If you're out there, Tucker, "Hey".

[Karl H.]

Thanks for filling me in a little, Sandy and Alex. It was really neat to finally put a face with that famous name...

BTW, no disclaimer is necessary: both Sandy and Alex are fine teachers and great players who helped me tremendously. It is no fault of theirs that I didn't become a better player than I am...

The Navy Band packed Cobb Great Hall in East Lansing: est. 2,500 crazed patrons. Especially noteworthy as Michigan State was playing their conference championship basketball at the same time as the concert. After the concert, it seemed every other person I shook hands with had some tuba connection, mostly revolving around Marty Erickson!

The next four days we're based in Evanston, doing runouts around the Chicago area.

Karl "has some deep-dish plans in the VERY near future" H.

[Karl H.]

Outstanding concert tonight at Northwestern's Pick-Staiger Hall! Nary a seat to be found, and very appreciative crowd. Spotted Dr. Mallory Thompson in the audience, as well as tuba players Rex Martin (had dinner with Andy Carlson), and Jeff Keller and Dave Yeager from Navy Band Great Lakes.

The night started out right with backstage deep-dish pizzas provided by the university.

Maintenance day tomorrow: a day off in Chicago! Any suggestions?

Karl "heard about a BBQ joint named 'Smoque'" H.

[ScottM]

I heard the concert and Lansing and it was a wonderful performance. I tried to get back stage to say Hi and they wouldn't let me back there. I hope you got to the Travelers Club and Tuba museum to see the horns.
ScottM

[Phillip B]

The concert in Ann Arbor was fantastic. I started a little shop talk because I spied Karl pull out an Alex F for one piece. Also, the encore march, Barnum and Bailey's Favorite, was the fastest I've heard it played and clean to boot. I'm not sure how much faster it's getting on tour...

Thanks for the conversation and updates Karl!

Phillip Bloomer

[Karl H.]

Nice chatting with you too, Phillip!

Good eyes: it was my prized Alex F that I whip out for Dvorak's Slavonic Dances. One of those pieces where largely octave unison cello and bass parts are combined in the tuba part. Gives a nice bit of color and clarity.

Really enjoyed meeting with lots of tuba players this tour! We have three big universities in the next 3 days: Illinois State tonight; Cincinnati Conservatory tomorrow; Ball State Wednesday.

Y'all come on out and say hi!

Karl "on his last legs" H.

[Highams]

Hi folks,

Sue & I will be in Richmond VA staying with Oldbandnerd in April if anyone's around;

http://henricoconcertband.com/Calendar.html" target="_blank

CB

[eupher61]

Tucker is from Tupelo, went to Florida (Florida St??? maybe) for a year, then to NTSU, studied with David Kuehn a couple years, played in the Ft Worth Symphony, and taught at NTSU a year. Then he was in the Coast Guard Band and the Atlantic Brass Quintet, Hartford Symphony, and whatever else up there. Went to Akron in 1980, still going strong teaching, and his chops are coming back just fine as well. Chop problems didn't affect his teaching at all.
Tucker is an amazing teacher, that's the weakest statement I can make. The whole brass faculty at Akron U is amazing, and they've been together (the 4 applied, at least) for 25+ years. I saw Tucker work wonders with a several kids, who maybe knew which end of the horn to blow into, but not a lot more. His brass choir is amazing, and would be even better if he wasn't concerned with getting kids in it to help their growth.

Anyone wanting to do a Master's would be crazy to not try and get into Tucker's studio. The university orchestra program isn't necessarily great, but the bands are solid, and the tuba experience is top notch aside from orchestra playing time. But, there are so many community groups within a couple hours of Akron, you can do almost anything you want, as long as you get the chair.

And, you're within a few hours max of Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Cincinatti, and Detroit. Not shabby orchestras.

I owe that guy a lot. Not that I have ever done much with playing, but that's my fault. I had the preparation to do almost anything, in just those 2 years.