The Best of the Best

[windshieldbug]

1. Who are the most influential tubists living today?;

2. Why are they the most influential?

My former teacher, Dr. Irving H. Cohen
My first teacher, former NYC pro, who passed on Bill Bell's teaching...

What I was trying to convey (and I'm still trying to get my arms around this BB venue, and not very successfully so far... )
is that to each person, an truely influential person was the person who was able to communicate the joy of tuba playing and music/musicianship, which may or may not be different in every case. I guess I could have come right out and said that, but most of us have a lot of things to learn every day, why should I be any different?

[brianf]

During a conference in Bloomington, the Jacobs and I were staying at the TubaRanch. One evening everyone disappeared leaving me with Harvey Phillips and Arnold Jacobs. The conversation drifted towards the old days and Mr Jacobs commented that before Harvey Phillips there was really no solo literature for the tuba, it was through Harvey that composers started writing for the tuba. The next day, in his session, Mr Jacobs called Harvey Phillips "a genius" - I have only heard Mr Jacobs call three people a genius - Leopold Stokowski, Leonard Bernstein and Harvey Phillips. As far as the most influential living tuba player, there is no question that it is Harvey Phillips and I hope he lives forever.

About a year ago I was working on Gene Pokorny's computer and we talked about Tommy Johnson's remarkable career. We came to the conclusion that he has been heard by more people that all the top symphony tubists combined. Gene pulled out a list of only the movies that Tommy Johnson had played on, remarkable!

Yes, there are others who have excelled in various ways but Harvey Phillips and Tommy Johnson are at the top of this list!

[Mitch]

I must second bttmbw's mention of Fritz Kaenzig. As previously mentioned by others, it might be impossible to come up with a single name, but it is easier to come up with names if considered by field of endeavor, such as influence on the manufacture of instruments, or on solo repertoire, or on recordings, or on...

I had limited experience with Mr. Jacobs, as far as private lessons. As a young (and foolish) man, I thought, "Why am I going to pay $100 a pop (17 yrs ago) when it's the EXACT same thing I'm getting with Kaenzig? Looking back, I wish I'd had many more lessons with Mr. Jacobs, even if only for spending time with an amazing individual.

With respect to carrying on the pedagogical tradition of Jacobs, I think Kaenzig's the real keeper of the flame. I've had lessons with most all the big names. They were all great. But having a lesson with Kaenzig was just like having a lesson with Jacobs.

Fritz, like Dan P., also has a large number of students holding positions with major performing organizations (the Met, the Charleston Symphony, and look at the euph/tuba section of the Marine Band in DC) as well colleges and universities (UNC-Greensboro, Colorado State-Ft. Collins, USM-Hattiesburg, Univ. of Akron, and Milliken U., just to name a few).

It can be argued that a good teacher facilitates the student's talent and drive, and to that respect, many men and women in the US can be ranked as great teachers.

But for all you folks who never got the chance to have a lesson with Jacobs, go get a lesson with Fritz. It's the next best thing.

[TubaRay]

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?

To make this more of a pain in the ***, please restrict your responses to ONE name!

My vote goes to Dan Perantoni.

More tubists with professional gigs can be linked to him than any other instructor currently in the profession.

Any others?

I have followed this thread since its inception. It seems to me that the original premise, though thought-provoking, is so imprecise as to border on the absurd. Don't get me wrong. I am not attempting to put its originator down. As a group, we can probably agree discussing this has been interesting and worthwhile.

As I see it, we are attempting to make a determination without any defined set of criteria. Each poster has jumped in and made comments based on their take of things. This is fine, but certainly does not achieve the naming of a "King of Tuba." In reality, there are several people whose contributions are worthy of consideration. Each, in his own way, has been extremely influential. The difficulty lies primarily in determining whom they have influenced. Some areas of influence would include: the general public, the music community, low brass players, and(specifically) tuba players. Even within each of these categories, there could be subgroups. There are other groups, as well.

When one considers this, it makes it easier to nod the head and acknowledge another name is perhaps worthy. In my book, probably all of the names submitted have had great influence. For me it is difficult to quibble over which one. I feel a list of names might be more appropriate. Indeed, it is a good thing that there have been numerous contributors. Just as I am glad there have been many positive influences on my two sons, I am grateful there are many in the tuba world. We are much richer for it.

Despite my misgivings, I have enjoyed hearing the names and justifications for submitting that have posted.

[Chuck(G)]

It seems to me that the original premise, though thought-provoking, is so imprecise as to border on the absurd.

Ray, I agree. Which is why I posted the bit about the Toyota tuba-playing robot. I got 5,510 google hits on it, while "Harvey Phillips" gets 5,300. And Harvey's had decades to build his rep.

I'm not disparaging any of the fine tuba players that have been brought up. But I think we suffer from myopia when we attempt to answer a question like this.

Ask a clarinet player who a great trumpet player is and you'll get several answers: Maynard, Winton, or maybe even Maurice André. Ask the same guy for the name of a tuba player and you'll be lucky to get Eric von Shteric.

But I don't know the names of notable contrabassoon players or bass clarinetists, either. I'm just happy playing my color instrument...

[tclements]

I think Bill Bell raised the bar from the real "Old time" tubists, NO ONE played like him during his era. Roger Bobo raised the bar during his tenure with the LAPO. Without sounding redundent, NO ONE played like him when he hit the scene. He raised the bar another notch. The next ground breaking artist was (IS!) Pat Sheridan. The guy is just unbelievable. Total package: Artistry, blazing technique, incredible range, GREAT entertainer, MONSTER teacher.

Most Influential players (after the above mentioned players): Jacobs, Phillips, Johnson, Cooley, Dallenbach, Pilafian.

Next generation: Pokorny, Deck, Baer (he WILL BE!), Clark.

2 cents' worth

[Tubaman485]

When it comes to the most influential players the names that always come to mind are Arnold Jacobs, Bill Bell, Harvey Phillips and many others but when I think of the most influential tuba players for me personally the votes go to Sam Pilafian, Pat Sheridan and Arnold Jacobs. Now I have not been around the block very much so I still have much to learn but with reading some of Jacob's teachings and studying under Pilafian and Sheridan they are just the ones who have influenced me.

Josh