Radio City Music Hall

[MrHidan30]

I was recently in New York City to play in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and I went to see the Christmas Spectacular at the Radio City Music Hall. You know, the one with the Rockettes. Well anyways, I was particularly impressed with the pit. I originally thought it was recorded until the lift they were on revealed them. I remembered the great low brass parts from the show and I saw that there was a tuba player. I was just wondering. Does anyone know the player for that pit? It looked like he was playing a large, silver, 5-valved CC. I don't know if they gave credit to them in the program, because I happened to miss getting one.

[ArnoldGottlieb]

Likely Andy Rodgers.

[Timswisstuba]

Yes, I confirm with Arnold, it is Andy Rodgers, an excellent tubist. He was playing a York CC.

[Daniel C. Oberloh]

Yes, I confirm with Arnold, it is Andy Rodgers, an excellent tubist. He was playing a York CC.

Andy- YES, J.W.York-YES again, CC-Nope,

Actually,its a BBb that I custom built for Andy from a three valve, top action model (see pic). I delivered it in the Spring of 2012. Fun horn but what a beast.

Daniel C. Oberloh
Oberloh Woodwind and Brass Works
http://www.oberloh.com

[bisontuba]

Gorgeous horn!!!!!!!!
Mark

[Mark E. Chachich]

Mr. Oberloh,

Beautiful tuba, what I have seen of your work is of the highest quality.

keep saving tubas,
Mark

[Timswisstuba]

Andy- YES, J.W.York-YES again, CC-Nope,

Dan,
You're assuming that Andy has only one J.W York tuba but, in fact, he's got at least 5 or 6 in all keys. I was assumimg that he was using his York CC which he uses for "general business". (Since the sound engineers can make the tuba sound however they want it doesn't matter what kind of tuba is used). He is also living in the pit this time of year which means he probably has to chain the tuba to the floor between shows (like a pen at the bank) and I didn't think he would want to do such a thing to a nice horn.

I know he likes his 6/4 BBb which you renovated (I found him the valves by the way) and he brings it out for special occasions. If he's playing it this year than the Rockettes and the public are certainly in for a real treat.

[Daniel C. Oberloh]

Andy- YES, J.W.York-YES again, CC-Nope,

Dan,
You're assuming that Andy has only one J.W York tuba but, in fact, he's got at least 5 or 6 in all keys. I was assumimg that he was using his York CC which he uses for "general business". (Since the sound engineers can make the tuba sound however they want it doesn't matter what kind of tuba is used). He is also living in the pit this time of year which means he probably has to chain the tuba to the floor between shows (like a pen at the bank) and I didn't think he would want to do such a thing to a nice horn.

I know he likes his 6/4 BBb which you renovated (I found him the valves by the way) and he brings it out for special occasions. If he's playing it this year than the Rockettes and the public are certainly in for a real treat.

True Time, I'm assuming that he was using it, I did not know he had another York as described by MrHidan30. We used a factory MW valve block on the horn, I built the slides and braces from scratch because the MW kit is typically for the CC horns and did not have the look I was going for. I did not know you picked it up for Andy? I thought it was delivered to us from Germany, guess my mind is slipping. But in my defense, its been a while since I started that project.


Dan'l

[Timswisstuba]

I know it's a lot of work (especially in the valve circuits and braces) and that a real craftsman pays hommage to the original design and small details which you certainly did.

Nice work Dr. Oberloh!

Anyone in NYC should go see the show, Andy sounds great on whatever he plays...and the Rockettes look great in whatever they wear!

[MrHidan30]

Thanks everyone. I think he was playing the York. The finish seemed a bit brighter than the custom CC in that picture. It was definitely a 6/4 though. If someone who knows him wouldn't mind passing on a compliment from me. I loved the sound. In my opinion, the Radio City pit was much better than the pit for "The Newsies" at the Nederlander Theater. No offence intended. Maybe it was the lack of tuba in their pit. Haha.