Welcome
September 10th, 2007 | by Bill Snodgrass |It’s my pleasure to welcome all current and former members of the University of Texas at Arlington Jazz program to OUR blog site. This site was orginated by Josh Brown, a former UTAJO member and outstanding bass trombonist.. If you have not already joined the UTA JAZZ EXES organization, please send an email to utajazz@suddenlink.net to be added to the list. And remember, there are no dues, no annual fees, no meetings, no bylaws, no nothin’—-just good cyber fellowship among UTAJAZZ friends and participants. We do have one scholarship fundraising event which is coming up on October 28, 2007. More on this later.
Since this is the initial flight of this blog site, I am sure there will be more tweaking required as we progress. When you post comments, please begin your first comment by stating the last semester you attended UTA. Remember, our 150+ membership spans a period of more than 60 years of particiapnts in the program, and this date (e.g., ‘47, ‘83, ‘06 whatever) will give all of us a better idea of when you were in school. So let’s get started. But remember, be kind.
Again, write to utajazz@suddenlink.net to join the UTAJAZZ EXES organization.
Bill Snodgrass (’76-’04)
22 Responses to “Welcome”
By Ken Edwards on Sep 10, 2007 | Reply
Awesome! Thank you Josh and Bill for getting this going. This will be a great tool for x’s to keep in contact,and hopefully make new contacts.
By Dan Cavanagh on Sep 10, 2007 | Reply
Hey all, this will be a great tool to keep current with what all of you are doing, and a way for me to enhance my understanding of the rich legacy of jazz here at UT Arlington. After being here for two full years now, and starting on my third, I am aware of the wonderful tradition of creativity and excellence the jazz area has maintained, and I look forward to hearing more about your experiences in the UTA Jazz program.
-Dan Cavanagh, Asst. Director of Jazz Studies, UT Arlington
By Josh on Sep 10, 2007 | Reply
Thanks, guys. Be sure to subscribe to the feed!
By Todd Baldwin on Sep 10, 2007 | Reply
Bill and Josh,
Thanks for putting this together. I will be checking back regularly. Will there be a way to post pics? It would be interesting to see what the old gang looks like now!
Todd Baldwin
Spring, 1984
Trombone Section Leader,
Herald Trumpet Producer
The U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own”
Adjunct Trombone Professor
American University
By Brian Gill on Sep 10, 2007 | Reply
Thanks Josh and Bill.
I graduated in ‘93 and was in the JO from ‘89 to ‘92.
My favorite Snodgrass quote:
“Okay, guys .., let’s start at letter F , as in Love!”
By Josh on Sep 12, 2007 | Reply
Great idea, Todd. I just started a Flickr group where you can post your pics once you’ve joined. Email me if you want to be added to the list.
By Todd Baldwin on Sep 12, 2007 | Reply
Another Snodgrass memory…
-The band receiving some “gentle” encouragement to be mindful of the difference between seduction and rape when playing a ballad
By Todd Baldwin on Sep 12, 2007 | Reply
and how’bout…”C’mon %#@*&?!!!, this is a ballad - be SENSITIVE!”
By Josh on Sep 12, 2007 | Reply
I’m sure we’ve all been accused of being “premature articulators” too, right?
By Bill Snodgrass on Sep 13, 2007 | Reply
Apparently, the wise adage of “what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas” has not had universal acceptance among the exes.
By Bill Snodgrass on Sep 13, 2007 | Reply
that’s “acceptance.” sorry. ( Josh, where’s the spellcheck on this thing?)
By Josh on Sep 13, 2007 | Reply
No spell check unless you’re in Firefox, but you can edit your posts in the admin area.
By Jon Hinton on Sep 15, 2007 | Reply
Hey guys - I finished in 00 - Thanks for putting this together Josh and Bill. So far I am very proud of the PG nature of this blog fellas.
By Todd Baldwin on Sep 15, 2007 | Reply
Long time no see, Jon. What are you up to now?
By Shawn Rampy on Oct 9, 2007 | Reply
Hello Bill and others,
Amazing! You guys won’t believe it, but I was just relaying the following “Snodgrass Memory” to someone last night…
We were playing down a Basie chart for the first time. And typically, the piece is supposed to open with your standard Sammy Nestico/Basie-type piano solo. Nice and understated, right? Well, our piano player apparently didn’t see that particular memo.
This guy went nuts all over the keyboard for 12 measures! About 2 bars in, Bill has stopped directing the band and is just chomping on his cigar. Turns and just watches this piano player (who is oblivious to anything else) for about 10 of the 12 bars with the “Snodgrass Look”.
He then stops the band, turns to the piano player and - with an absolute dead-pan face - says, “Congratulations, kid. You just played more notes in 12 bars than Basie played his whole life.”
Ah, good times. Hope all are doing well.
Shawn Rampy
Trombone, ‘80-81
By Steve Trzcinski on Mar 27, 2008 | Reply
This is cool. I often wonder where everbody ended up. I’m finishing up my 4th year in Naples, Italy where I am the Director of the U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa Band and Allied Forces Band Naples (NATO). Our 75-member band is comprised of U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine musicians and military musicians from Greece, Italy and the UK. Just came back from a deployment in Africa. Deb and I have been married for 23 years, and our son, Christian, is going to school, surfing and playing in a rock band in San Diego.
By Brian Fowler on Jul 9, 2008 | Reply
I’m trying to contact Steve Trzcinski. Old friend.
By Glenn Butler on Jul 21, 2008 | Reply
There’s a bazillion Snodgrass “gems”…
How about when you puke your way through a soli section and he stops the band and asks to play it “Half Fast” this time. It always soulded alot like Half-A$$’d to me!
Anyone else ever get accused of wearing lace panties because you were notplaying with enough masculine bravado?? Or was that just me?
By Snodgrass on Jul 22, 2008 | Reply
Glenn, R U still whining about that stuff? It’s been 20 years ago boy, let it go. ha. By the way, didn’t you tell me that you got an email from John Moates. Would like to have his email address. The UTA Jazz Alumni are much like the UTA Fencing Team,,,, we can always use some new blood.
By Snodgrass on Jul 22, 2008 | Reply
ANd by the way Butler, when you played your soli parts, it usually sounded half-assed to me too. But, I’ll say this, you were the strongest high school lead player I ever heard. Man, could you knock the snot out of those high notes at Lewisville. I won’t ever forget that.
By Glenn Butler on Jul 29, 2008 | Reply
No…I do not have Moates’s contact info. He posted here somewhere already.
I usually was half assed on soli work, but I appreciate your kind comments.
By Jeff Jones on Dec 31, 2008 | Reply
Several of you may remember “Mr. Fudd” My favorite quote is
“Dammit Mr Fudd, quit crapping on the floor!”
Jeff Jones
82-84
Behind the sound board