“It’s Always About the Music”: William Vacchiano Remembered by (a few of) Those Who Knew Him Best
Hi, this is James Newcomb and I’m excited to republish an episode of the show from way back in February of 2016. This was one of the best received, one of the most downloaded episodes of the first year of the podcast, 2016.
To this day, it’s one of my top highlights of my podcasting career. And at that time I think I realized I’m onto something really special, to talk to people who held someone like William Vacchiano in such high esteem. And it was just a real honor to be a part of it. I think it led to me wanting to take podcasting seriously and make it my career.
In this biography style episode, you’re going to hear Brian Shook, who is the author of Last Stop, Carnegie Hall.
It also features Manny Laureano, Ronald Romm, and finally Gerard Schwartz.
It also features a couple of guests we may or may not hear from in the future…
In this episode, you’ll hear:
-We meet Don Clarino, founder of the Genco Valve Oil company, patriarch of the Clarino crime family…00:33
- “…Then I said to my wife, ‘for justice, we must go to Don Clarino…'”
-Vacchiano’s view of the trumpeter’s role in the bigger picture…09:45
- “You’re a musician first, the trumpet is how you express the music.”
-Vacchiano was supposed to play the clarinet…12:00
-“Aside from your tone, your rhythm, your articulation, not bad…” Gerard Schwarz’ first lesson w/ Mr. Vacchiano…14:50
- He got me to play and sound the he wanted – and the way I wanted
-Miles Davis and Vacchiano like oil and water…17:30
- “The horn goes back into the case,” said Miles when quizzed on a tricky transposition situation
-(Gerard Schwarz) Why Mr. Vacchiano never attended concerts put on by his students…20:37
- “Gerry, I had no idea you could play like that!”
-(Manny Laureano) A style of teaching designed to make the student become their own teacher…24:05
-How to study with Vacchiano if you didn’t go to Juilliard…25:38
-(Ron Romm) “Vacchiano was all about getting it done…”…28:07
- “Is the fan too loud? Do you want it closer to you?”
-Knowing how to keep the ego in check, going to bat for your guys…31:17
-(Ronald Romm) Not trying to be a leader, just doing what is necessary to get the job done…35:15
- “He was not a ball hog”
- “Everything he taught us was from a leadership position”
-What Brian Shook was looking for when he began his research, and how that changed over time…45:15
-The one thing young players today can learn from Vacchiano’s methods…49:11
Click here to download a written transcript of this episode
Resources mentioned in this episode:
–Last Stop, Carnegie Hall by Brian Shook
–Manny Laureano’s personal blog
Credits:
Trumpet Dynamics: The Story of the Trumpet, In the Words of Those Who Play It
“It’s Always About the Music”: William Vacchiano Remembered by (a few of) Those Who Knew Him Best
Originally published: 1 February 2016
Republished: 31 May 2021
Host: James Newcomb
Guests:
Brian Shook: Author, Last Stop, Carnegie Hall
Manny Laureano: Principal trumpet, Minnesota Orchestra
Ronald Romm: Founding member, Canadian Brass
Gerard Schwarz: Former trumpeter; longtime music director, Seattle Symphony
“For Justice, We Must Go to Don Clarino”:
Written by James Newcomb
Performed by James Newcomb and “Destill” username on fiverr.com
Audio editing and show notes for this episode done by James Newcomb
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