Let Your Horn Do the Talking

With my deepest respect for Chadwick Boseman, who let his work speak for him.

My Dad and I once talked about the importance of being able to demonstrate your ability rather than just talk about it. One day, after we went to a jazz band concert, he told me his favorite performer of the night was a guy who sheepishly walked to the mic and without seeking attention played an outstanding solo. At first, Dad wasn’t certain the young man would even be able to play, but when he did, the lamb turned out to be a lion. “Be like that guy,” Dad said, “Let your horn do the talking.”

Maybe my Dad was speaking from the vantage point of a bygone era, when a soft-spoken, unassuming person could gain the confidence and respect of others just by doing a good job. Maybe he preferred to deal with people who avoided bragging, displays of ego, or other drama. This makes sense, knowing his work ethic and background. Whatever the reason, to this day, I believe a person’s work should speak louder than his words.

Later, in graduate school, I had the privilege of working with Domenic Spera, who not only told us, but showed us, how to play. In fact, all the great musicians I have met could back up their words with their actions. Some had bigger egos than others to be sure, but the best let their horns “do the talking.” Jerry Coker and Benny Carter come to mind. Both were self-effacing gentlemen who could inspire others just by playing a few notes. They didn’t need to hype their talents or repeatedly tell everyone how great they were. Their greatness was in their music, not in their diva-like attitude, or in their talent for self-promotion.

I realize we need to let others know about ourselves. After all, no one will hire you if they don’t know who you are or what you can do. And one’s personal “brand” is now more important than ever. Yet, it often seems to me things have gotten out of hand. The internet era has promoted a culture of carnival barkers, each trying to out-shout the rest in a cacophony of appeals. It seems it’s not enough to do well, to let your abilities speak for themselves. Sometimes, even a trumpet player must “blow his own horn,” as if the trumpet isn’t brassy enough already, to be noticed. Like the old joke about the two trumpet players who meet on the street, each greeting the other, “Hi. I’m better than you,” the online world encourages us to assert ourselves, strike a pose, and stake our claim to fame. If we don’t stride up to that mic and act like we’re the best, who will listen? If we don’t appear to be perfect, or as others expect us to be, people will just scroll on.

Who is going to remember the modest person, the one who metaphorically let his horn do the talking? The short answer is, people like my Dad and me; people who value substance over form, integrity over arrogance, truth over the gamesmanship of claiming credit and deflecting blame. Nevertheless, I suppose I don’t mind too much if a person can back up a few boasts with actions. And there are still a lot of people who do great work without feeling the need to get a five-star rating for every little thing they say and do. Like the old detective who solves the case and shrugs, “just doing my job, ma’am,” some still find validation in doing good work. They don’t need to tell anyone how great they are. In the end, their lives will do the talking.