The tuba has been played since the mid-19th century, in the midst of the Romantic period of Western Classical music. Along with classical music, the instrument appears in a variety of jazz styles as well film and circus music. Most professional tubists are tied to ensembles such as symphony orchestras and bands—including brass, concert and Jazz bands—or academic institutions. A smaller minority spend their careers as solo or chamber musicians.

The Tuba Player by Josef Kinzel [de], 1892

Among the instrument's notable classical performers are William Bell, John Fletcher, Arnold Jacobs and Harvey Phillips. Noted Jazz players include Don Butterfield, Howard Johnson and Michel Godard.[1] Accomplished soloist and chamber musicians include James Gourlay, Øystein Baadsvik, Velvet Brown and August Schieldrop. Tubists who played primarily for film scores are John Van Houten, Tommy Johnson and Jim Self.

Tubists

edit
List of tuba players
Image Name Lifetime Nationality Genre Notes
  Walter English 1867–1916 American Circus Played in various bands[2]
William Bell 1902–1971 American Classical The leading player and teacher of the early 20th century. Played in the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, the Sousa Band, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, NBC Symphony Orchestra.[3][4]
  Min Leibrook 1903–1943 American Jazz Played with The Wolverines, the Paul Whiteman Orchestra, Bix Beiderbecke and Lennie Hayton.[5]
Squire Gersh 1913–1983 American Jazz Also a double bassist, played with Lu Watters, Bob Scobey, Turk Murphy, and Mutt Carey and Louis Armstrong, among others[6]
Arnold Jacobs 1915–1998 American Classical A leading player and teacher of the 20th century. Principal tubist with Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra[7]
Red Callender 1916–1992 American Jazz Performed with an "unusual fluency and mobility". Played with Louis Armstrong, Lester and Lee Young, Erroll Garner, Charlie Parker, Wardell Gray, Dexter Gordon, Julia Lee, Art Tatum, Stuff Smith, Buddy Collette, James Newton, Gerry Wiggins, John Carter and B. Bumble and the Stingers[8]
Don Butterfield 1923–2006 American Jazz Leading Jazz musician of his time; had a uniquely florid playing ability and added considerable nuance to basslines. Member of the Radio City Music Hall orchestra. Performed with Charles Mingus, Teo Macero, Teddy Charles, Bill Evans and The Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra[9][10]
Harvey Phillips 1929–2010 American Classical A leading player and teacher of the 20th century. Founded the New York Brass Quintet[11][12][13]
Constance Weldon 1932–2020 American Classical First female professional tubist[14]
Dietrich Unkrodt 1934–2006 German Various Principal tubist of the Komische Oper Berlin (1960s–2000). Played in jazz duos with Hannes Zerbe[15][16]
Ronald Bishop 1934–2013 American Classical Principal tubist of the Cleveland Orchestra (1967–2005). Taught at the Cleveland Institute of Music, Oberlin Conservatory and Baldwin Wallace University[17][18][19]
Everett M. Gilmore 1935–2005 American Classical Former principal tubist of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra (1965–95). Taught at University of North Texas College of Music and Southern Methodist University[20][21]
Tommy Johnson 1935–2006 American Film Taught privately at The University of Southern California and at The University of California, Los Angeles; performed in over 2,000 film scores[22][23]
Roger Bobo 1938–2023 American Classical Principal tubist of the Los Angeles Philharmonic (1964–89). Taught at the Musashino Academia Musicae, the Fiesole School of Music, the Lausanne Conservatory, the Rotterdams Konservatorium, and the Royal Northern College of Music.[24]
Ray Draper 1940–1982 American Jazz Played with Jackie McLean, Donald Byrd, John Coltrane, Max Roach and Don Cherry, among others[25]
John Fletcher 1941–1987 English Classical A leading player and teacher of the 20th century. Played in the BBC Symphony Orchestra, London Symphony Orchestra and Philip Jones Brass Ensemble[26]
  R. Winston Morris 1941– American Classical Long time instructor at Tennessee Tech[27]
  Howard Johnson 1941–2021 American Jazz Also a baritone saxophonist and bandleader, he played in the SNL band and with Charles Mingus, Hank Crawford, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Archie Shepp, Hank Mobley and Gil Evans, among others.[28][29]
Dave Bargeron 1942– American Jazz Primarily a trombone player, he played with Blood, Sweat, and Tears, Doc Severinsen's Band, Gil Evans Orchestra, Paul Simon, Mick Jagger, James Taylor, Eric Clapton, David Sanborn, Pat Metheny among others.[30]
Giancarlo Schiaffini 1942– Italian Jazz Primarily a trombonist. Closely associated with avant-garde music, free improvisation and free jazz[31]
Jim Self 1943– American Film Los Angeles session musician for over 1500 film soundtracks; tubist with Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, Pasadena Symphony, Pacific Symphony, Los Angeles Opera[32]
  Bob Stewart 1945– American Jazz Also an educator, and studio musician; Professor at the Juilliard School and a "Distinguished Lecturer" at Lehman College[33]
  Charles Daellenbach 1945– Canadian Various Co-founder of Canadian Brass[34]
Samuel Pilafian 1949–2019 American Various Empire Brass; Arizona State University; North Dakota State University[35]
Anthony Lacen 1950–2004 American Jazz [36]
John D. Stevens 1951– American Various Professor at University of Wisconsin–Madison; composer/arranger; member of The Wisconsin Brass Quintet; formerly taught at The University of Miami[37]
Gene Pokorny 1953– American Classical Principal tubist of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (since 1989). He teaches at Northwestern University[38][39]
Scott Irvine 1953– Canadian Classical Principal tubist of the Canadian Opera Company Orchestra and Esprit Orchestra; tubist of True North Brass.[40]
Tony Clements 1954– American Classical Principal tubist of the Symphony Silicon Valley (since 2002); formerly principal of the SJS (1981–2001)[41][42]
David Fedderly 1954– American Classical Former Principal tubist for the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (1983–2014). Former instructor at The Juilliard School and Peabody Institute[43]
  James Gourlay 1956– British Classical Soloist and chamber musician. Teaches at Duquesne University and directs the River City Brass Band. Formerly Deputy Principal and music director at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and Head of the Royal Northern College of Music[44][45]
James Akins 1956– American Classical Principal tubist of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra (since 1981). Teaches at Ohio State University[46]
John Van Houten 1957– American Film Played in various movies[47]
Norman Pearson 1957/58– American Classical Former principal tubist of the Los Angeles Philharmonic (1993–2020)[48][49]
  Walter Hilgers 1959– German Classical Formerly principal tubist of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra[50]
  Michel Massot 1960– Belgian Jazz Founder of Trio Bravo; teaches at the Royal Conservatoire of Liège.[51]
  Michel Godard 1960– French Jazz Played with numerous bands[52]
Jeffrey Anderson 1962– American Classical Principal tubist of the San Francisco Symphony (since 2017); formerly principal of the RCO. Teaches at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music[53][54][55]
  Marcus Rojas 1963– American Various Plays in the Spanish Fly jazz group. Has played with the Metropolitan Opera and New York City Ballet, among other ensembles. Teaches at New York University, State University of New York at Purchase, and Brooklyn College[56][57]
  Heiko Triebener 1964– German Classical Principal tubist of the Bamberger Symphoniker (since 1993). Teaches at the Hochschule für Musik Würzburg[58]
Alan Baer c. 1960s American Classical Principal tubist of the New York Philharmonic (since 2004); formerly principal of the MSO, LPO and LBSO. Teaches at the Juilliard School, Rutgers University and the Mannes School of Music[59][60]
  Øystein Baadsvik 1966– Norwegian Soloist Soloist and chamber musician[61][62][63]
Nedra Johnson 1966– American Jazz Daughter of the tubist Howard Johnson[64]
Yasuhito Sugiyama 1967– Japanese Classical Principal tubist of the Cleveland Orchestra (since 2006); formerly principal of the VSOO[65]
Tom Heasley Late 1960s American Ambient Composer, performer, and recording artist.[66]
Kenneth Amis 1970– American Various Tubist of Empire Brass[67]
  Bennie Pete 1976– American Jazz Founder of the Hot 8 Brass Band[68]
Velvet Brown c. 1980s American Classical Soloist and chamber musician. Professor of tuba and euphonium at Pennsylvania State University[69][70]
  Bill Muter 1984– American Avant-garde tubist Also a bassist, he is known for his book A Practical Approach (2012)[71]
Carol Jantsch 1985– American Classical Principal tubist of the Philadelphia Orchestra (since 2006); the first woman tubist in a major US orchestra. Teaches at Yale University and Temple University[72][73]
  Thomas Leleu 1987– French Classical Principal tubist of the Opera de Marseille (since 2006)[74]
Aubrey Foard c. 1990s American Classical Principal tubist of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (since 2018); formerly principal of the CSO and WVSO[75][76]
  Theon Cross 1993– British Jazz Tubist of the London-based group Sons of Kemet[77][78]
August Schieldrop 1999– Norwegian Classical Soloist and chamber musician[79]

References

edit

Citations

edit
  1. ^ Bevan, Clifford (2001). "Tuba (i)". Grove Music Online. Oxford: Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.28525. ISBN 978-1-56159-263-0. (subscription or UK public library membership required)
  2. ^ Conrad, Charles (2001). "English, Walter P.". Grove Music Online. Oxford: Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.A2085089. ISBN 978-1-56159-263-0. (subscription or UK public library membership required)
  3. ^ Ward-Steinman, Patrice Madura (2001). "Bell, William". Grove Music Online. Oxford: Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.A2084854. ISBN 978-1-56159-263-0. (subscription or UK public library membership required)
  4. ^ Nelson 1996, p. 461.
  5. ^ "Leibrook, Min". Grove Music Online. Oxford: Oxford University Press. 2003 [2002]. doi:10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.J264600. ISBN 978-1-56159-263-0. (subscription or UK public library membership required)
  6. ^ Kernfeld, Barry (2023) [2002]. "Gersh [Girsback], Squire". Grove Music Online. Oxford: Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.J166500. ISBN 978-1-56159-263-0. (subscription or UK public library membership required)
  7. ^ Perry, Richard H. (2001). "Jacobs, Arnold". Grove Music Online. Oxford: Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.A2283395. ISBN 978-1-56159-263-0. (subscription or UK public library membership required)
  8. ^ Vacher, Peter (2003) [2001]. "Callender, Red". Grove Music Online. Oxford: Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.J072600. ISBN 978-1-56159-263-0. (subscription or UK public library membership required)
  9. ^ Ostransky, Leroy (2001). "Butterfield, Don". Grove Music Online. Oxford: Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.J069800. ISBN 978-1-56159-263-0. (subscription or UK public library membership required)
  10. ^ Heydarpour, Roja (December 3, 2006). "Don Butterfield, 83, Tuba Player Who Made His Mark in Jazz, Dies". The New York Times. Archived from the original on June 11, 2023. Retrieved June 10, 2023.
  11. ^ McIntire, Dennis K. (2001). "Phillips, Harvey". Grove Music Online. Oxford: Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.21576. ISBN 978-1-56159-263-0. (subscription or UK public library membership required)
  12. ^ Wakin, Daniel J. (24 October 2010). "Harvey Phillips, a Titan of the Tuba, Dies at 80". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 22 December 2017. Retrieved 9 June 2023.
  13. ^ Balliett, Whitney (7 December 1975). "Goodbye Oompah". The New Yorker. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
  14. ^ Carmel, Julia (7 September 2020). "Constance Weldon, Pioneering Virtuoso of the Tuba, Dies at 88". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 8 September 2020. Retrieved 9 June 2023.
  15. ^ Kürschner. "Unkrodt, Dietrich". Musiker-Handbuch (in German): 487.
  16. ^ Nelson 1996, p. 516.
  17. ^ Segall, Grant (26 June 2013). "The "astonishing" Ron Bishop was principal tubist for the Cleveland Orchestra: news obituary". Cleveland.com. Archived from the original on 5 June 2023. Retrieved 16 June 2023.
  18. ^ Nelson 1996, p. 462.
  19. ^ Bishop, Ronald (14 February 2006). "Oral History Interview of Mr. Ronald T. Bishop" (Interview). Interviewed by Carole Nowicke. International Tuba Euphonium Association. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
  20. ^ "Everett M. Gilmore". University of North Texas. Retrieved 17 June 2023.
  21. ^ "Everett Gilmore Obituary". The Dallas Morning News. 17 April 2005. Retrieved 17 June 2023.
  22. ^ Noland, Claire (October 25, 2006). "Tommy Johnson, 71; noted tuba player's movie work boosted the tension in 'Jaws'". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on September 6, 2022. Retrieved 10 June 2023.
  23. ^ Booth, William (December 5, 2006). "A 99-Tuba Salute Big Brass Gather to Remember the Man With Chops and 'Jaws'". The Washington Post. Retrieved 10 June 2023.
  24. ^ Tarr, Edward H. (2001). "Bobo, Roger". Grove Music Online. Oxford: Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.43969. ISBN 978-1-56159-263-0. (subscription or UK public library membership required)
  25. ^ Wild, David (2003) [2002]. "Draper, Ray(mond Allen)". Grove Music Online. Oxford: Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.J129000. ISBN 978-1-56159-263-0. (subscription or UK public library membership required)
  26. ^ Tarr, Edward H. (2001). "Fletcher, John". Grove Music Online. Oxford: Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.43958. ISBN 978-1-56159-263-0. (subscription or UK public library membership required)
  27. ^ "Winston Morris". Tennessee Tech. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
  28. ^ Perry, Richard H. (2001). "Johnson, Howard". Grove Music Online. Oxford: Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.A2284740. ISBN 978-1-56159-263-0. (subscription or UK public library membership required)
  29. ^ Russonello, Giovanni (14 January 2021). "Howard Johnson, 79, Dies; Elevated the Tuba in Jazz and Beyond". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 15 January 2021. Retrieved 9 June 2023.
  30. ^ Kennedy, Gary W. (2001). "Bargeron, Dave". Grove Music Online. Oxford: Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.J515600. ISBN 978-1-56159-263-0. (subscription or UK public library membership required)
  31. ^ Zenni, Stefano (2024) [2002]. "Schiaffini, Giancarlo". Grove Music Online. Oxford: Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.J686700. ISBN 978-1-56159-263-0. (subscription or UK public library membership required)
  32. ^ "Jim Self". USC Thornton School of Music. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
  33. ^ Hazell, Ed (2003) [2002]. "Stewart, Bob". Grove Music Online. Revised by Barry Kernfeld. Oxford: Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.J428700. ISBN 978-1-56159-263-0.
  34. ^ "Charles Daellenbach". Canadian Brass. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
  35. ^ Sandomir, Richard (12 April 2019). "Sam Pilafian, Tuba Maestro of Multiple Genres, Dies at 69". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 13 April 2019. Retrieved 9 June 2023.
  36. ^ "Anthony Lacen, 53; 'Tuba Fats' Was New Orleans Jazz Fixture". Los Angeles Times. 17 January 2004. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
  37. ^ "John Stevens". Potenza Music. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
  38. ^ "Gene Pokorny". Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Retrieved 17 June 2023.
  39. ^ "Gene Pokorny". Northwestern University. Retrieved 17 June 2023.
  40. ^ "Scott Irvine". Music By The Sea. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
  41. ^ "Tony Clements-Tuba". San Jose Symphony. Retrieved 17 June 2023.
  42. ^ Mayes, Erin (28 November 2001). "San Jose Symphony tuba player is not playing the same old song". The Campbell Reporter. Archived from the original on 24 August 2005. Retrieved 17 June 2023.
  43. ^ "Fedderly, David". GIA Publications. Retrieved 17 June 2023.
  44. ^ "James Gourlay". Besson. Retrieved 17 June 2023.
  45. ^ "James Gourlay". Duquesne University. Retrieved 17 June 2023.
  46. ^ "James Akins". Ohio State University. Retrieved 17 June 2023.
  47. ^ Miller, Michael (6 March 2014). "Finding his voice with a tuba". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
  48. ^ "Norman Pearson". Los Angeles Philharmonic. Retrieved 17 June 2023.
  49. ^ C. K. Dexter Haven (10 May 2021). "A 2020 chat with Norman Pearson: the tuba player talks about his career & influences, the evolution of the LA Phil's brass section, his preferred place to play on the Disney Hall stage, and much more". All is Yar. Retrieved 17 June 2023.
  50. ^ "Walter Hilgers". Genuin. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
  51. ^ "Michel Massot". JazzInBelgium. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
  52. ^ Clergeat, André (2003) [2002]. "Godard, Michel". Grove Music Online. Oxford: Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.J577100. ISBN 978-1-56159-263-0.
  53. ^ "Jeffrey Anderson". San Francisco Conservatory of Music. Archived from the original on 30 January 2023. Retrieved 16 June 2023.
  54. ^ "Jeffrey Anderson". San Francisco Symphony. Archived from the original on 2 April 2023. Retrieved 16 June 2023.
  55. ^ "Meet The SFS Musicians: Principal Tuba Jeffrey Anderson". San Francisco Symphony. 13 June 2019. Archived from the original on 22 March 2023. Retrieved 16 June 2023.
  56. ^ "Marcus Rojas". All About Jazz & Jazz Near You. 28 January 2023. Archived from the original on 27 March 2023. Retrieved 16 June 2023.
  57. ^ "Marcus Rojas". Brooklyn College. Archived from the original on 23 April 2021. Retrieved 16 June 2023.
  58. ^ "Heiko Triebener". Bamberger Symphoniker. Archived from the original on 26 November 2021. Retrieved 16 June 2023.
  59. ^ "Alan Baer, Principal Tuba". New York Philharmonic. Archived from the original on June 10, 2023. Retrieved June 10, 2023.
  60. ^ "Alan Baer". Juilliard School. Archived from the original on June 10, 2023. Retrieved June 10, 2023.
  61. ^ Thomas, Chris (September 6, 2009). "4BR Interview - Oystein Baadsvik". 4BarsRest. Archived from the original on June 11, 2023. Retrieved June 10, 2023.
  62. ^ Taylor, Peter Shawn (November 27, 2015). "One man's mission to put the tuba back where it belongs". Maclean's. Archived from the original on June 11, 2023. Retrieved June 10, 2023.
  63. ^ Nelson 1996, p. 459.
  64. ^ "Nedra Johnson". Women in Ars. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
  65. ^ "Yasuhito Sugiyama". Cleveland Orchestra. Retrieved 16 June 2023.
  66. ^ "Tom Heasley". Silicon Valley Creates. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
  67. ^ "Kenneth Amis". New England Conservatory of Music. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
  68. ^ Vadukul, Alex (18 September 2021). "Bennie Pete, Bandleader Who Kept the Beat After Katrina, Dies at 45". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 20 September 2021. Retrieved 9 June 2023.
  69. ^ "Velvet Brown". Penn State College of Arts and Architecture. Archived from the original on June 10, 2023. Retrieved June 10, 2023.
  70. ^ "Velvet Brown". Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University. Archived from the original on March 23, 2023. Retrieved June 10, 2023.
  71. ^ "Bill Muter". United States Army Band. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
  72. ^ "Carol Jantsch". Yale School of Music. Archived from the original on October 20, 2008. Retrieved June 10, 2023.
  73. ^ "Carol Jantsch". The Philadelphia Orchestra. Archived from the original on June 10, 2023. Retrieved June 10, 2023.
  74. ^ Nicodemus, M.C. (15 January 2012). "Après Romain, Thomas Leleu est nommé aux Victoires de la musique classique" [Après Romain, Thomas Leleu est nommé aux Victoires de la musique classique]. La Voix du Nord (in French). Archived from the original on 10 May 2015. Retrieved 6 June 2022.
  75. ^ "Aubrey Foard". The U.S. Army Band "Pershing's Own". Archived from the original on June 10, 2023. Retrieved June 10, 2023.
  76. ^ "Aubrey Foard". UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music. Archived from the original on June 10, 2023. Retrieved June 10, 2023.
  77. ^ Jurek, Thom. "Theon Cross Biography". AllMusic. Archived from the original on June 10, 2023. Retrieved June 10, 2023.
  78. ^ Williams, Jenessa (January 26, 2022). "Theon Cross review – more oomph than oompah from jazz-tuba champion". The Guardian. Archived from the original on June 10, 2023. Retrieved June 10, 2023.
  79. ^ "August Schieldrop" (in Norwegian). Stavanger Symphony Orchestra. Retrieved 17 June 2023.

Sources

edit
edit