How my mind puts bits and pieces together…
Once upon a time, my trumpet teacher, Louis Davidson, let me read a short letter he received from a young man in Africa. As I recall, either Louis or one of his colleagues had sent him a trumpet and some method books. This was long before the internet when people actually wrote letters. The young man called the trumpet his “companion.” He said he took his companion everywhere and practiced every day. He was obviously very grateful for the gift. It was only a second-hand trumpet, Louis told me, but it made a big difference in that young man’s life.
I was inspired to write, The Magic Trumpet, in part by my recollections of that letter. I was also inspired by the real Waldo Byrd, an acquaintance who played cornet in the Williamsport Elks Repasz Band. Waldo was a wonderful human being and was always kind to me when I was just a teenager sitting in with the band. I later had the honor of playing a little solo at his funeral service.
Another inspiration was the influence of my favorite trumpet players. I had the privilege of meeting Roy Eldridge in the 1970’s. When I told him I was a college student, he told me to make the most of it. He said he could only afford the “school of hard knocks.” I recall he said something like, “It’s a good thing I like playing trumpet.” The message I got was that getting an education would allow me to make choices other than having to play trumpet in a little club for the rest of my life. “Little Jazz” didn’t need to spend his break between sets talking to a lanky white kid from Pennsylvania, but he was gracious enough to oblige a young fan. He made a big impression on me.
I’ve always been fascinated by nicknames. Louis Armstrong, another of my heroes, had some of the best nicknames of all time – Satchmo, Satch, Satchel Mouth, Dipper Mouth, Dipper, Pops – and I’d bet he was also good at bestowing them. I was once dubbed, “C.L.,” by my fourth-grade teacher. I think only one other person still knows what this means. And I mean to keep it that way.
Pre-war French Besson trumpets are legendary if not magic. They became the prototypes of most trumpet designs since. Vincent Bach, Renold Schilke, and many others based their trumpets on the French Besson. I don’t know if there is a pristine example, but if so, I’m sure it would bring a good price from the right collector.
And, yes, a good woman who “digs your horn” might be harder to find than Waldo. I’m lucky to have found one. Proverbs, Chapter 31 reads, “Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is more precious than rubies. Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.” I trust Michele with my life. We’ve been together a long time. I love Michele. The trumpet is just a friend…really.
MurrayWorks 