Curt Wilson Alumni Jazz Band storms Europe

 

Though its namesake is not at ease with the name, the 19-piece big band is officially called the Curt Wilson Alumni Jazz Band (not affiliated with TCU and the School of Music), and over a six-week period in June and July, wowed audiences in the United Kingdom and France. 

Wilson '63 (MA '66), former director of Jazz Studies at TCU for 35 years, and former students from 1976 through 2012 visited the Royal Academy of Music in London, Paris, and a July 4th concert at the American Cemetery on Normandy Beach during a six-week tour. Alumni from Texas, California, Illinois and Georgia made the trip, including teachers, professors, business execs, a dentist and a pathologist.

TCU Director of Bands Bobby Francis served as the group's artistic director, and Dr. Brian West conducted the percussion section. The trip was a part of the International Festival of Wind Bands, Percussion Ensembles, Choirs and Jazz Ensembles.

"What an honor it is to direct many of my former students in this special group of outstanding musicians," Wilson wrote us.

Made up of a mix of current professionals and amateurs, the collection of former Horned Frog musicians even practiced before the trip. Francis, who tracked down all the members, sent out scanned music about six weeks before they departed.  None wanted to disappoint each other or their former professors, said trombonist and dentist Arthur "Skip" Dolt '89.

"It showed!" Wilson bragged. "They were really fantastic!"

"Interestingly, there are several people in this band that I haven't played with since college graduation, so it's obviously a very exciting opportunity," Dolt said. "Most of all, there are  too few chances in life to really go back and thank your mentors for the impact they've had on you, and that's really what the trip is about."

The group performed traditional big-band tunes, including a tribute to Glenn Miller whose music was significant to the war effort in England and France during the latter part of World War II.

Two trumpet players — Tony Yarbrough '92 and Dr. John McDonald '78 — played "Taps" at the American Cemetery at Normandy. "It was probably one of the high points in their lives," Wilson said.

The Curt Wilson Alumni Band:

Curt Wilson '63 (MA '66), director

Saxophones
Alan Burton '90, IT specialist for Microsoft/ Alsbridge in Dallas; also a professional musician including the Dallas Jazz Orchestra, Pete Peterson and the Collection Jazz Orchestra, et al.)
Peyton Bryant '11, financial analyst in wealth management, Goldman, Sachs & Co.

Eric Hochel '12

Rene Ozuna '87, Director of Performing Arts at Fort Worth Academy (also professional musician for Metro Praise Orchestra, PardiGras, leader of Tropix, et al.)

Tanner Reddoch (North Richland Hills High School – All Region Jazz Ensemble)

Trumpets

Sarah Bauza '10, student at USC in 2012 (Disneyland All-American Collegiate Band, John Williams, et al.)

Holly Cook

Josh Garza

Dr. John McDonald '78, pathologist at North Hills Hospital, (Various Arlington community bands, unofficial and illegal trumpet soloist at many TCU football games - his trumpet was denied entry at 2011 TCU vs. Air Force game at the Air Force Academy)

Tony Yarbrough '92, junior high band Director in Klein ISD, (lead trumpet in the Houston Texans Bull Pen Pep Band)

Ashley (Lewis) Yarbrough '92

Trombones

Todd Burrer '98, president, Lone Star Thermal Imaging in Cypress

Kevin Chapman '99 (MA '04), band director at Forte Junior High in Azle, (Member of the Hi-Rollers)

Chuck Compher Jr. '93, Environmental Science teacher/football and basketball coach at Northwest High School, (Jazz Monsters Big Band)

Dr. Arthur "Skip" Dolt '89, dentist in Atlanta, (Atlanta Swing Orchestra)

Piano

Tom Laney '90, financial analyst at Southwest Airlines, (Piano accompanist for ballet classes at Brookhaven Community College)

Bass

Chike Okaro '12 MA, Metroplex freelance musician and private teacher

Drums

Drew Ruiz '86, senior manager of aircraft sustainment/procurement at Lockheed Martin Corp., (TROPIX, member of SEARCH band at University Christian Church, et al.)

Guitar

David Williams '92, Associate professor of political science at DePaul University, (River Cities Jazz Band)

Video:
A clip of the group performing at Spitalfields Market

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