[TPIN] "Bests?" And a little story about Vizzutti

[Vaxtrpts at aol.com]

In a message dated 10/20/2007 9:59:56 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time,  
bodeen67 at triton.net writes:

Doc  Severinsen does it best. I saw him in person do it with the Brass Band
of  Battle Creek. Doc will leave a lasting impression on you.  Trumpet
Spectacular is the CD that Staiger's version of the Carnival of  Venice is
on.
Best wishes,
Terry Rach



<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Out of lurk mode for this one.  I have to agree with a few others who  have 
already posted on this subject.
I'm not sure why some people think that they have to say that "someone does  
something better than someone else,"  when it comes to music.  You  certainly 
can't measure it, like running a 50 yard dash!  Especially at  this level 
there are NO "bests."  There of course, can be  "favorites."  When talking about 
any musicians or bands or orchestras or  whatever, I choose to use that word 
favorite.  Know what? In some  instances, a person who might be a favorite of 
mine, might not be the "best"  player, buy one whose musical style and approach 
I happen to like more.
Here is an old road story from at least 20 years ago.  My band and  Allen 
Vizzutti's "Red Metal" band were playing at the same festival.  Allen  had 
already been with Woody and toured all over the world with Chick  Corea.  We were 
talking back stage, and I had one of those "devil made me  do it" moments.  I 
got really serious and told Allen that he might have  some problems really 
"making it in our business" (as if he hadn't  already).  He really took it to heart 
and with a very stunned look, asked  me what I meant.  I really kept that 
straight face and concerned demeanor  and told him that in our business, "show 
biz" is pretty important and that there  had to be some sort of "schtick" for 
the audience to SEE as well as hear.   And then I said that if he kept making 
trumpet playing look that easy, he just  would never really make it, and he 
finally knew that I had a "gottcha," and had  been putting him on all along.
He is a remarkable player, a wonderful clinician and a great guy.  One  of my 
"favorites, for sure!"
Mike Vax



************************************** See what's new at http://www.aol.com