[TPIN] A Maurice Andre Annecdote

[Peter McNamee]

Just an anecdote, somewhat off-topic with the recent Andre thread:  In the spring of 1979 as a freshman trumpet major I took a girl (let’s call her Peg) on a first date to see Maurice Andre.  She stayed put in her seat during intermission and I went to the lobby “for a minute”.  When I got there I found a small crowd huddled around Dizzy Gillespie!  Everyone was enthusiastically asking questions and I joined in with something brilliant like “What are you doing here? This is a classical concert!”.

Yes, I’m a dope, I had much to learn.

In response Dizzy started telling us all what great friends he and Maurice were and somehow – I really don’t know how I got this lucky – he ended up inviting two of us backstage – right then!

Peg eyed me quizzically as I walked through the house, up on stage and off into the wings.  When we got there, Dizzy and Maurice kept me and the other guy entertained for a full 45 minutes telling stories of their times together!  The second half of the program opened with a 3 movement piece with no trumpet solo, so they had the time.

They had the time and they shared it with two pimply-faced kids!  What a pair!

Surprisingly, perhaps foolishly, I put the horn away a few months later and only came back to it recently.  In the time I was away from the horn I added to my Andre collection but otherwise kept my head down.  Now that I’m back I find all the wonderful young talent out there and I hear all of them praising the same guy who I was lucky enough to spend a few minutes with years ago.  Almost makes me feel like I was never away – almost.

BTW – it never did work out with Peg.  She never forgave me for deserting her at the concert.  Ah, well!

Peter McNamee

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