Our Band Family: A Closer Look
Meet some of the people who make the Hot Springs Concert Band a special community of musicians.
'Papa' Wilson: A band kid's story
By Millie Gore Lancaster
“Missing a Sunday high-school band rehearsal when I was in junior high school changed the course of my life,” said HSCB member Phillip Wilson.
Wilson (b. 1936) was one of a half dozen ninth-grade bandsmen who were selected from Santa Fe, New Mexico’s two junior high schools to play in the high school band. All the appointed ninth graders were nervous, as they should have been. The exceptional junior high band students were not warmly received by the high school bandsmen.
The Sunday rehearsal was the first of several Sundays that the band would rehearse in preparation for a concert with the famous trumpet player Rafael Mendez. Phillip, having forgotten about the unusual rehearsal schedule, had played the day away with non-band friends down in the gravel pits.
One of Phillip’s brothers had heard about him missing the rehearsal, and when Phillip arrived home, said, “Weren’t you supposed to be at band today?” Phillip’s stomach roiled. Mr. Shacklett will kill me, he thought.
The Santa Fe band director, Bennett Shacklett, had been like a second father to young Phillip Wilson since before the quiet lad had lost his father to a stroke when the boy was only fourteen. As the sole band director in the entire city of Santa Fe, Mr. Shacklett had started the boy in beginning band when he was twelve and knew his character well. He therefore elected a gentle approach when addressing the boy’s absence at the rehearsal.
On Monday morning, when Phillip, quaking in his shoes, reported to Mr. Shacklett and apologized, the band director’s soft response was, “You owe me two hours, Wilson.”
That resulted in Phillip being placed on the band equipment crew, and that changed his life. First, Phillip was no longer simply “a kid in band.” He was now “a band kid.” The difference between a kid in band and a band kid is that a band kid is one who is always busy behind the scenes doing the grunt work that’s required to keep the organization running. The work isn’t glamorous, and it’s often tedious. Band kids are “toters” because they tote stands, chairs, boxes of music, and countless other band-abilia to wherever it needs to be. They come to the band hall early and stay late. Band directors know their band kids can be counted on to tackle any thankless chore and see it through.
Second, being placed on the equipment crew changed the junior high boy’s life because the high school band kids on the equipment crew got to know him and learned that he had the heart of a band kid. They stopped resenting him and came to be his friends.
Because his family owned the largest transfer and storage (moving) company in Santa Fe, Phillip had valuable knowledge and skills about packing and loading household goods that translated into moving band equipment.
Equally important, he had free access to moving vans. Before long, he was not only on the equipment crew, he was also Captain of the equipment crew.
As a musician, Phillip excelled on the cornet, making All Sate four years running.
When Phillip was a junior, Mr. Shacklett assigned the now six-foot-two-inch bandsman and two other cornet players to learn to play Bugler’s Holiday for the governor’s inauguration. The boys required themselves to know all three parts and be able to switch parts midstream- all by memory. They also required themselves to be able to transpose the music into any key.
Following the successful gubernatorial performance with his band’s accompaniment, Mr. Shacklett set about to arrange for the trio to play Bugler’s Holiday at All State accompanied by the All State Band.
That year, Phillip decided he wanted to become a band director. The decision was almost preordained. He’d grown up in a musical home with his lullabies being church hymns sung by his mother’s congregation in his living room every week. He had discovered that he was a talented cornet player. He adored music. Mr. Shacklett was his hero. And he’d spent the happiest moments of his life in the band hall with other band kids. “I loved band so much that I wanted to become a band director so I could help other kids learn to like band as much as I did,” he said.
That year, he started courting a bassoon player, and they became engaged at nineteen. However they did not marry until Wilson graduated from college (Eastern New Mexico University) at age 22. They produced two bassoon players, two French horn players, two trombone players, and one flautist.
In addition to playing cornet, Wilson had started composing at age twelve, with each new note he learned allowing him to expand his repertoire. He excelled in composition and arrangement classes in college and began composing and arranging for his first band when he became a director in Clovis, New Mexico. He said, “Having my own lab band so I could try out ideas was a wonderful thing.”
Wilson later became a band director in Tucumcari, New Mexico, where he retired at age 51, He and his beloved wife had a total of 51 years of marriage before she died of cancer.
Because HSCB member Millie Gore Lancaster had been his student, friend, and band kid since she was eleven, she could see that the old musician was not coping well after the death of his wife. She began encouraging him to come visit her and her husband in Hot Springs Village. “Love, music, and my home cooking are what you need,” she told him.
She introduced him to HSCB, and when he was 77, she approached Craig Hamilton about having HSCB play one of his compositions, March Third. Dr. Hamilton not only embraced the idea, but he also asked Wilson to conduct it. Three years later, he invited Wilson to conduct his March April with the band.
Wilson began to consider Hot Springs Village his second home.
After ten years of cajoling, Millie finally convinced her old teacher to trade life as a hermit in the brown desert of New Mexico for life as part of her family in the green forest of HSV.
He quickly became known to the community as Papa Wilson as a nod to the great composer Haydn, who was called Papa by his musicians.
Papa Wilson joined the percussion section of HSCB. “With COPD, I don’t have the lungs to play trumpet anymore,” he said. However, he does play baritone with New Horizons Band, and he has become conductor of The Village Strings.
When asked about being part of HSCB, Papa said, “I can’t imagine my life without the Hot Springs Concert Band. Being a member of this band, and the other musical groups I’ve become part of here, will add years to my time on this earth. In New Mexico, I was dying of loneliness and the lack of opportunities to make music with friends. That’s been restored to me. I’m nearly 88, but I feel 35.”
With a modest smile and downcast eyes, Papa Wilson said, “I love this band, and I dearly love these people.”
Papa Phillip Wilson. First, last, and always a band kid.
PHOTOS -- TOP: Phillip Wilson directs the Hot Springs Concert Band. INSET: Phillip Wilson and Dr. Craig Hamilton take a moment for a photo at an HSCB concert.
By Millie Gore Lancaster
“Missing a Sunday high-school band rehearsal when I was in junior high school changed the course of my life,” said HSCB member Phillip Wilson.
Wilson (b. 1936) was one of a half dozen ninth-grade bandsmen who were selected from Santa Fe, New Mexico’s two junior high schools to play in the high school band. All the appointed ninth graders were nervous, as they should have been. The exceptional junior high band students were not warmly received by the high school bandsmen.
The Sunday rehearsal was the first of several Sundays that the band would rehearse in preparation for a concert with the famous trumpet player Rafael Mendez. Phillip, having forgotten about the unusual rehearsal schedule, had played the day away with non-band friends down in the gravel pits.
One of Phillip’s brothers had heard about him missing the rehearsal, and when Phillip arrived home, said, “Weren’t you supposed to be at band today?” Phillip’s stomach roiled. Mr. Shacklett will kill me, he thought.
The Santa Fe band director, Bennett Shacklett, had been like a second father to young Phillip Wilson since before the quiet lad had lost his father to a stroke when the boy was only fourteen. As the sole band director in the entire city of Santa Fe, Mr. Shacklett had started the boy in beginning band when he was twelve and knew his character well. He therefore elected a gentle approach when addressing the boy’s absence at the rehearsal.
On Monday morning, when Phillip, quaking in his shoes, reported to Mr. Shacklett and apologized, the band director’s soft response was, “You owe me two hours, Wilson.”
That resulted in Phillip being placed on the band equipment crew, and that changed his life. First, Phillip was no longer simply “a kid in band.” He was now “a band kid.” The difference between a kid in band and a band kid is that a band kid is one who is always busy behind the scenes doing the grunt work that’s required to keep the organization running. The work isn’t glamorous, and it’s often tedious. Band kids are “toters” because they tote stands, chairs, boxes of music, and countless other band-abilia to wherever it needs to be. They come to the band hall early and stay late. Band directors know their band kids can be counted on to tackle any thankless chore and see it through.
Second, being placed on the equipment crew changed the junior high boy’s life because the high school band kids on the equipment crew got to know him and learned that he had the heart of a band kid. They stopped resenting him and came to be his friends.
Because his family owned the largest transfer and storage (moving) company in Santa Fe, Phillip had valuable knowledge and skills about packing and loading household goods that translated into moving band equipment.
Equally important, he had free access to moving vans. Before long, he was not only on the equipment crew, he was also Captain of the equipment crew.
As a musician, Phillip excelled on the cornet, making All Sate four years running.
When Phillip was a junior, Mr. Shacklett assigned the now six-foot-two-inch bandsman and two other cornet players to learn to play Bugler’s Holiday for the governor’s inauguration. The boys required themselves to know all three parts and be able to switch parts midstream- all by memory. They also required themselves to be able to transpose the music into any key.
Following the successful gubernatorial performance with his band’s accompaniment, Mr. Shacklett set about to arrange for the trio to play Bugler’s Holiday at All State accompanied by the All State Band.
That year, Phillip decided he wanted to become a band director. The decision was almost preordained. He’d grown up in a musical home with his lullabies being church hymns sung by his mother’s congregation in his living room every week. He had discovered that he was a talented cornet player. He adored music. Mr. Shacklett was his hero. And he’d spent the happiest moments of his life in the band hall with other band kids. “I loved band so much that I wanted to become a band director so I could help other kids learn to like band as much as I did,” he said.
That year, he started courting a bassoon player, and they became engaged at nineteen. However they did not marry until Wilson graduated from college (Eastern New Mexico University) at age 22. They produced two bassoon players, two French horn players, two trombone players, and one flautist.
In addition to playing cornet, Wilson had started composing at age twelve, with each new note he learned allowing him to expand his repertoire. He excelled in composition and arrangement classes in college and began composing and arranging for his first band when he became a director in Clovis, New Mexico. He said, “Having my own lab band so I could try out ideas was a wonderful thing.”
Wilson later became a band director in Tucumcari, New Mexico, where he retired at age 51, He and his beloved wife had a total of 51 years of marriage before she died of cancer.
Because HSCB member Millie Gore Lancaster had been his student, friend, and band kid since she was eleven, she could see that the old musician was not coping well after the death of his wife. She began encouraging him to come visit her and her husband in Hot Springs Village. “Love, music, and my home cooking are what you need,” she told him.
She introduced him to HSCB, and when he was 77, she approached Craig Hamilton about having HSCB play one of his compositions, March Third. Dr. Hamilton not only embraced the idea, but he also asked Wilson to conduct it. Three years later, he invited Wilson to conduct his March April with the band.
Wilson began to consider Hot Springs Village his second home.
After ten years of cajoling, Millie finally convinced her old teacher to trade life as a hermit in the brown desert of New Mexico for life as part of her family in the green forest of HSV.
He quickly became known to the community as Papa Wilson as a nod to the great composer Haydn, who was called Papa by his musicians.
Papa Wilson joined the percussion section of HSCB. “With COPD, I don’t have the lungs to play trumpet anymore,” he said. However, he does play baritone with New Horizons Band, and he has become conductor of The Village Strings.
When asked about being part of HSCB, Papa said, “I can’t imagine my life without the Hot Springs Concert Band. Being a member of this band, and the other musical groups I’ve become part of here, will add years to my time on this earth. In New Mexico, I was dying of loneliness and the lack of opportunities to make music with friends. That’s been restored to me. I’m nearly 88, but I feel 35.”
With a modest smile and downcast eyes, Papa Wilson said, “I love this band, and I dearly love these people.”
Papa Phillip Wilson. First, last, and always a band kid.
PHOTOS -- TOP: Phillip Wilson directs the Hot Springs Concert Band. INSET: Phillip Wilson and Dr. Craig Hamilton take a moment for a photo at an HSCB concert.
Jerry Pogue: Trumpeter... and then some!
By Jeff Olson
Back in November 2008, when I joined the Hot Springs Concert Band (HSCB), I right away sensed a feeling of belonging, of a camaraderie that comes natural within a group of likeminded people and/or people who share common interests. Of course, in the band it was about making music together and I could tell soon enough that was what these folks were all about – and I wanted to be a part of it.
Within the trumpet section, I hit it off early on with a few of the players, namely Tom Kleinsorge and Jerry Pogue. Jerry was one of the 1st Trumpet players and Tom played 2nd Trumpet. Since an “in chair audition” was required to confirm (or otherwise) sufficient skill to play in the band, Tom was my auditioner. As it turned out, I passed the audition and have since been playing in the band for over 15 years.
Jerry and I struck up an immediate rapport also, and one of the first things he asked me was if I had a church home. My answer was yes, as I was still living in Mena at the time and with no plans to move to Hot Springs anytime soon. For Jerry, that made no difference as he told me to come on to church anyway when I was in town. So I did, and subsequently started playing in the church orchestra at First Baptist Church in Hot Springs. That I’ve been doing now for most of ten years.
You get the picture. Jerry has been an influential person in my life, as he has many others as well. So, let me tell you a little bit more about this guy. Being the good man that he is, his hobbies are but a mere reflection of what’s underneath, so it is here I will start this brief journey about Jerry. And afterward, we will delve into Jerry’s music because there is more here than meets the eye or even the note on the page. While we know Jerry mainly as a trumpeter in the HSCB, his music background and acumen extend beyond our musical family.
Jerry was born in Farmington, Missouri, a small rural community in the southeast part of the state. The first 10 years of his life was living above a grocery store my parents owned and operated, and the next 10 years was living on a farm. He raised Shetland Ponies and probably had a total of over 30 by the time he was through.
Jerry always loved music, as did his family. Growing up in the First Baptist Church of Farmington and singing in the church choir helped to give him a firm Christian foundation and a love for church music which he still holds to this day.
His father played the mandolin and his sister the piano and trumpet. When he was about 7 years old, he took accordion lessons. Of course, how could he know then that his teacher had another pupil, Mary Schramm, who was destined to become Jerry’s wife. The teacher would sometimes have Jerry and Mary play duets, which of course was a precursor to a duet they would later play in matrimony. Incidentally, that two-part harmony has been going on now for over 60 years.
In 5th grade Jerry started playing trumpet, and wouldn’t you know that his first horn was a hand-me-down from his older sister. He played trumpet all through high school, but his talent and music extended to singing in the school Acapella Choir and Men's Double Quartet. He would often get a combo group together to perform for the annual talent show at school or a class dance party.
Jerry also learned guitar and mandolin from his father who was self-taught and couldn't read music. Jerry learned to play on his father’s acoustic guitar that had belonged to his younger brother (Jerry’s uncle) who was killed in WWII. He played the old 78 rpm records of Hank Williams and a few other to learn chords and play along with the music. At age 14, he bought a used Gibson ES-350 Electric Guitar and Gibson amp and started playing gospel music with "The Moyer Gospel Band" This band played at country churches all over southeast Missouri and sometimes on our local radio station KREI in Farmington. Jerry then bought a new Gibson Hummingbird Acoustic Guitar in 1962, which he still has along with several more he’s added through the years.
Jerry and Mary dated all through high school, eventually planning to get married. After high school, Jerry went to Barber School in St. Louis, so he could support his new family and finance college. Mary went to nursing school in St. Louis and became an RN. She retired after 40 years of serving mostly as an ER nurse.
Though Jerry had a scholarship in music for college and was set to go to SE Missouri State at Cape Girardeau, he changed his mind at the last minute and pursued a BS Degree in Civil Engineering from MSM (Missouri School of Mines), best known as UMR (University of Missouri at Rolla). There, he played trumpet in the “UMR Drifters”, a College Dance Band.
Like most of us with hobbies, Jerry couldn’t make a living from his, so he used his education and worked in various capacities in the engineering field, including Construction Manager for Continental Oil Company (CONOCO), City Engineer for the cities of Farmington, Missouri and Hot Springs, Arkansas. He also served as construction manager for the Garland County Detention Center, 911 Call Center, and Communications System. And, Jerry even went into business for himself as Business Owner/Operator for Best Mobile Home Sales and Mobile Home and RV Park for about ten years. As the song lyrics remind us about Jerry… ”there ain’t much this ole country boy can’t do.”
But when it’s all said and done, Jerry’s deeper passion is making music with his friends and, through this, telling the story of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He has been faithfully doing for most of 70 years. He’s played in the First Baptist Church, Hot Springs orchestra and soloed regularly. He played in First Baptist Church Brass Ensemble which he started in 1998. He plays with the First Baptist Church Gospel Strings which he started about 2012. He has been a member of the HSCB since 1981, making him the current longest serving band member, at 43 years.
Jerry’s history with the HSCB though goes well beyond playing trumpet and being a friend. He served on the band’s board of directors for thirteen years, five of those as band president. As I can attest, this is a considerable investment in time and treasure. Jerry still enjoys sharing a good story or bit of wisdom with the band from time-to-time. He and I did our share of playing first trumpet and solos for several years, but are now enjoying the other trumpet parts while some other talented (and in some cases, younger) players do the heavy lifting.
Jerry Pogue is indeed one of the treasures in his community, his church and in his musical families. I for one am very thankful I can be counted among them. Thank you, Jerry!
PHOTOS -- TOP: Jerry with the Hot Springs Brass Quintet. INSET: Jerry with the First Baptist Church (Hot Springs) Gospel Strings. BELOW: Jerry with the HSCB trumpet section in August. 2017. SECOND BELOW: News article from 1984 highlighting Jerry’s successful mobile home business in Hot Springs. BOTTOM: Jerry (far right) with "The Moyer Gospel Band."
By Jeff Olson
Back in November 2008, when I joined the Hot Springs Concert Band (HSCB), I right away sensed a feeling of belonging, of a camaraderie that comes natural within a group of likeminded people and/or people who share common interests. Of course, in the band it was about making music together and I could tell soon enough that was what these folks were all about – and I wanted to be a part of it.
Within the trumpet section, I hit it off early on with a few of the players, namely Tom Kleinsorge and Jerry Pogue. Jerry was one of the 1st Trumpet players and Tom played 2nd Trumpet. Since an “in chair audition” was required to confirm (or otherwise) sufficient skill to play in the band, Tom was my auditioner. As it turned out, I passed the audition and have since been playing in the band for over 15 years.
Jerry and I struck up an immediate rapport also, and one of the first things he asked me was if I had a church home. My answer was yes, as I was still living in Mena at the time and with no plans to move to Hot Springs anytime soon. For Jerry, that made no difference as he told me to come on to church anyway when I was in town. So I did, and subsequently started playing in the church orchestra at First Baptist Church in Hot Springs. That I’ve been doing now for most of ten years.
You get the picture. Jerry has been an influential person in my life, as he has many others as well. So, let me tell you a little bit more about this guy. Being the good man that he is, his hobbies are but a mere reflection of what’s underneath, so it is here I will start this brief journey about Jerry. And afterward, we will delve into Jerry’s music because there is more here than meets the eye or even the note on the page. While we know Jerry mainly as a trumpeter in the HSCB, his music background and acumen extend beyond our musical family.
Jerry was born in Farmington, Missouri, a small rural community in the southeast part of the state. The first 10 years of his life was living above a grocery store my parents owned and operated, and the next 10 years was living on a farm. He raised Shetland Ponies and probably had a total of over 30 by the time he was through.
Jerry always loved music, as did his family. Growing up in the First Baptist Church of Farmington and singing in the church choir helped to give him a firm Christian foundation and a love for church music which he still holds to this day.
His father played the mandolin and his sister the piano and trumpet. When he was about 7 years old, he took accordion lessons. Of course, how could he know then that his teacher had another pupil, Mary Schramm, who was destined to become Jerry’s wife. The teacher would sometimes have Jerry and Mary play duets, which of course was a precursor to a duet they would later play in matrimony. Incidentally, that two-part harmony has been going on now for over 60 years.
In 5th grade Jerry started playing trumpet, and wouldn’t you know that his first horn was a hand-me-down from his older sister. He played trumpet all through high school, but his talent and music extended to singing in the school Acapella Choir and Men's Double Quartet. He would often get a combo group together to perform for the annual talent show at school or a class dance party.
Jerry also learned guitar and mandolin from his father who was self-taught and couldn't read music. Jerry learned to play on his father’s acoustic guitar that had belonged to his younger brother (Jerry’s uncle) who was killed in WWII. He played the old 78 rpm records of Hank Williams and a few other to learn chords and play along with the music. At age 14, he bought a used Gibson ES-350 Electric Guitar and Gibson amp and started playing gospel music with "The Moyer Gospel Band" This band played at country churches all over southeast Missouri and sometimes on our local radio station KREI in Farmington. Jerry then bought a new Gibson Hummingbird Acoustic Guitar in 1962, which he still has along with several more he’s added through the years.
Jerry and Mary dated all through high school, eventually planning to get married. After high school, Jerry went to Barber School in St. Louis, so he could support his new family and finance college. Mary went to nursing school in St. Louis and became an RN. She retired after 40 years of serving mostly as an ER nurse.
Though Jerry had a scholarship in music for college and was set to go to SE Missouri State at Cape Girardeau, he changed his mind at the last minute and pursued a BS Degree in Civil Engineering from MSM (Missouri School of Mines), best known as UMR (University of Missouri at Rolla). There, he played trumpet in the “UMR Drifters”, a College Dance Band.
Like most of us with hobbies, Jerry couldn’t make a living from his, so he used his education and worked in various capacities in the engineering field, including Construction Manager for Continental Oil Company (CONOCO), City Engineer for the cities of Farmington, Missouri and Hot Springs, Arkansas. He also served as construction manager for the Garland County Detention Center, 911 Call Center, and Communications System. And, Jerry even went into business for himself as Business Owner/Operator for Best Mobile Home Sales and Mobile Home and RV Park for about ten years. As the song lyrics remind us about Jerry… ”there ain’t much this ole country boy can’t do.”
But when it’s all said and done, Jerry’s deeper passion is making music with his friends and, through this, telling the story of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He has been faithfully doing for most of 70 years. He’s played in the First Baptist Church, Hot Springs orchestra and soloed regularly. He played in First Baptist Church Brass Ensemble which he started in 1998. He plays with the First Baptist Church Gospel Strings which he started about 2012. He has been a member of the HSCB since 1981, making him the current longest serving band member, at 43 years.
Jerry’s history with the HSCB though goes well beyond playing trumpet and being a friend. He served on the band’s board of directors for thirteen years, five of those as band president. As I can attest, this is a considerable investment in time and treasure. Jerry still enjoys sharing a good story or bit of wisdom with the band from time-to-time. He and I did our share of playing first trumpet and solos for several years, but are now enjoying the other trumpet parts while some other talented (and in some cases, younger) players do the heavy lifting.
Jerry Pogue is indeed one of the treasures in his community, his church and in his musical families. I for one am very thankful I can be counted among them. Thank you, Jerry!
PHOTOS -- TOP: Jerry with the Hot Springs Brass Quintet. INSET: Jerry with the First Baptist Church (Hot Springs) Gospel Strings. BELOW: Jerry with the HSCB trumpet section in August. 2017. SECOND BELOW: News article from 1984 highlighting Jerry’s successful mobile home business in Hot Springs. BOTTOM: Jerry (far right) with "The Moyer Gospel Band."
Earl Hesse: Musician, legend and friend
By Jeff Olson
What can you write about a man who is a legend in his own time. What can you write about a man who has already had volumes written about him and his accomplishments. What can you write about a man that hasn’t been written or said already? Sometimes what you read about an accomplished person goes little beyond the accomplishments and not far enough about the who and what behind those accomplishments.
What I hope to accomplish here is to remedy that as it applies to someone very special. From my vantage point, what I can write and will write here is mostly about the privilege and joy to make music with a man who masterfully and enthusiastically continues to apply his craft just as passionately at age 90 as he did at age 25.
Earl Hesse is no stranger in the world of music, all the way from classical to Dixieland, to big band to jazz, and to performing with such notables as Ella Fitzgerald (his personal favorite), Al Hirt, Bob Hope, Patti Page, Lou Rawls, Chet Atkins, B.J. Thomas, and the list goes on…Then throw in such venues the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts and I think you begin to get the big picture…but maybe not the whole picture. You see…he also taught music to high school students in Texas and New Mexico and to college students just down the road at Henderson State University (for 27 years), and has played in numerous musical groups, including some in our local area. This is where my story of Earl Hesse picks up.
Earl is a native Arkansan, born in Stuttgart in 1934. His first public performances were in jazz bands on Beale Street while he was a high school student. On a music scholarship, he attended Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas where he earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees. He later received his Doctor of Arts at the University of Mississippi.
I first met Earl some ten years ago when he joined the Hot Springs Concert Band. To be honest, I didn’t know who he was and he made no effort to draw attention to himself or his fame. If it hadn’t been for some of those in the band who did know him or of him, I likely wouldn’t have found out for a while. Oh yes, his playing could have given him away, but he chose to play third clarinet where he could avoid the limelight. Earl enjoyed the more incognito, layed back routine which he wasn’t used to, and he continued there for several years until his talents were needed on saxophone. Here, his special sound and style elevated that section and gave the band a special boost.
About three years ago, I joined the Hot Springs Village Big Band (VBB). Well, again I was fortunate to cross paths with Earl and only thought I had witnessed his talent. Well, I had but… nothing like I heard in the VBB. He sparked not only the saxophone section, but the entire band.
In basic terms, Earl Hesse is a musician who plays the clarinet and saxophone. In descriptive terms, Earl Hesse is an enormously gifted musician whose talent transcends the notes on the paper, and I would venture to say…often the expectations of the composers themselves.
As any competent musician will tell you, everything musically depends upon the fundamentals of the craft, and Mr. Hesse has built upon these, and has shared, exemplified, and mentored them with countless others. In doing so, he has equipped young musicians and others with the benefit of his hard work, experience, and talent. And…I might add – with his infectious personality!
Earl Hesse brings not only his magnificent brand of music to his audiences, but also his special brand of camaraderie to his musical companions in the band, making our experience more fun and memorable. Earl’s love of music for music’s sake, his musicianship, and his encouragement help to bring out the best in his fellow musicians. Earl is a musician with both a sure sense of confidence and showmanship, but at the same time he is a man with a unique sense of humility and of his place in a band. Musically Earl gives all he has to give, but he also understands (as one musician friend once reminded me many years ago) “There is no “I’ in band.” He knows his fantastic playing complement and enhance the band, but do not diminish others it in any way. There, my friends, is where the rubber meets the road and where Earl Hesse’s place in the heart and minds of his fellow musicians benefit from his life and craft. I am hopeful that Earl will once again join the Village Big Band in one of our upcoming concerts. He loves the Village and he loves music, so stay tuned….
The extent of Earl’s contributions to music and to people is almost beyond description. The scope of Earl Hesse’s legacy is as wide as it is deep. In 2000, he was inducted into the Arkansas Jazz Hall of Fame. I encourage everyone reading this to visit that website and learn more about Earl Hesse’s magnificent career.
As I complete the finishing touches on this writing, I am listening to one of Earl’s CDs. His rendition of “Amazing Grace” is playing, and I can’t help but stop and take in his beautiful clarinet expression of this classic of the faith. Recently, Earl shared something with me which I thought quite astonishing. He told me that someone years ago commented to him that he was the strangest musician they’d ever known. Earl asked what they meant. The answer: Earl didn’t drink, he didn’t smoke, and he had been married to the same woman for over 50 years. Yes, for a professional musician I suppose that is a rarity, but also a powerful example of his character and priorities to compliment that of his musical talent. This comment prompted me to ask Earl about his family, and let me tell you…he had as much or more to say about them than his music. That revealed something about the man, a quality undoubtedly which did not escape the many young people Earl taught and mentored over the years.
I got the sense that Earl is prouder of his family than of his music, and after reading what he wrote for me I can understand why. He was married to his college sweetheart Kathryn (Kat) for 55 years. She was an accomplished woman in her own right, and together they raised four children – three boys and a girl. The oldest son followed his father’s footsteps, becoming legendary in the band directing profession and for 15 years led Arkansas’ top high school band program. One of his bands was selected to march in President Bill Clinton’s Inaugural Parade in 1993. He has since retired but remains active through judging band contests and writing half-time shows for bands. Their daughter was an occupational therapist and head of two clinics prior to her retirement. Their other two sons became very successful attorneys with their own law firms in Dallas. Most importantly, his children love their father and continue to do what they can to take care of him and still have great times together. Earl lost the love of his life 10 years ago, but fortunately love found Earl once again. As he put it, “I met the second love of my life, Jean, and we have had some of the most wonderful years I ever had.” Continuing, he said “ I always say – If I had known how great getting old was, I would have gotten older a lot sooner!!”
Let me add one more thing before I close. I play in a small band called the Hot Springs New Horizons Band. This band was organized originally for folks, who previously played musical instruments in their younger days, to have an opportunity to resume playing their instrument again after absence due to careers, family, and other areas of life’s journey. Prior to one of our rehearsals several months ago walked in none other than Earl Hesse. I thought to myself…Earl wants to play in our band? He told our director, Bill Crook, that he would like to play clarinet with us if it was okay with him. Well, it doesn’t take much imagination to wonder what Bill’s reply was….Typical of Earl Hesse, he not only played great clarinet, but fit right in with us and enjoyed the music and camaraderie as much (well, perhaps almost as much) as if he were playing with the Arkansas Wind Symphony, the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, the Arkansas Jazz Orchestra, or as a sideman with Tommy Dorsey or Benny Goodman. He is more than a musician to them and to us. He is a comrade and friend.
Need I say more? Thank you, Earl Hesse! Lead on, Sir!
By Jeff Olson
What can you write about a man who is a legend in his own time. What can you write about a man who has already had volumes written about him and his accomplishments. What can you write about a man that hasn’t been written or said already? Sometimes what you read about an accomplished person goes little beyond the accomplishments and not far enough about the who and what behind those accomplishments.
What I hope to accomplish here is to remedy that as it applies to someone very special. From my vantage point, what I can write and will write here is mostly about the privilege and joy to make music with a man who masterfully and enthusiastically continues to apply his craft just as passionately at age 90 as he did at age 25.
Earl Hesse is no stranger in the world of music, all the way from classical to Dixieland, to big band to jazz, and to performing with such notables as Ella Fitzgerald (his personal favorite), Al Hirt, Bob Hope, Patti Page, Lou Rawls, Chet Atkins, B.J. Thomas, and the list goes on…Then throw in such venues the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts and I think you begin to get the big picture…but maybe not the whole picture. You see…he also taught music to high school students in Texas and New Mexico and to college students just down the road at Henderson State University (for 27 years), and has played in numerous musical groups, including some in our local area. This is where my story of Earl Hesse picks up.
Earl is a native Arkansan, born in Stuttgart in 1934. His first public performances were in jazz bands on Beale Street while he was a high school student. On a music scholarship, he attended Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas where he earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees. He later received his Doctor of Arts at the University of Mississippi.
I first met Earl some ten years ago when he joined the Hot Springs Concert Band. To be honest, I didn’t know who he was and he made no effort to draw attention to himself or his fame. If it hadn’t been for some of those in the band who did know him or of him, I likely wouldn’t have found out for a while. Oh yes, his playing could have given him away, but he chose to play third clarinet where he could avoid the limelight. Earl enjoyed the more incognito, layed back routine which he wasn’t used to, and he continued there for several years until his talents were needed on saxophone. Here, his special sound and style elevated that section and gave the band a special boost.
About three years ago, I joined the Hot Springs Village Big Band (VBB). Well, again I was fortunate to cross paths with Earl and only thought I had witnessed his talent. Well, I had but… nothing like I heard in the VBB. He sparked not only the saxophone section, but the entire band.
In basic terms, Earl Hesse is a musician who plays the clarinet and saxophone. In descriptive terms, Earl Hesse is an enormously gifted musician whose talent transcends the notes on the paper, and I would venture to say…often the expectations of the composers themselves.
As any competent musician will tell you, everything musically depends upon the fundamentals of the craft, and Mr. Hesse has built upon these, and has shared, exemplified, and mentored them with countless others. In doing so, he has equipped young musicians and others with the benefit of his hard work, experience, and talent. And…I might add – with his infectious personality!
Earl Hesse brings not only his magnificent brand of music to his audiences, but also his special brand of camaraderie to his musical companions in the band, making our experience more fun and memorable. Earl’s love of music for music’s sake, his musicianship, and his encouragement help to bring out the best in his fellow musicians. Earl is a musician with both a sure sense of confidence and showmanship, but at the same time he is a man with a unique sense of humility and of his place in a band. Musically Earl gives all he has to give, but he also understands (as one musician friend once reminded me many years ago) “There is no “I’ in band.” He knows his fantastic playing complement and enhance the band, but do not diminish others it in any way. There, my friends, is where the rubber meets the road and where Earl Hesse’s place in the heart and minds of his fellow musicians benefit from his life and craft. I am hopeful that Earl will once again join the Village Big Band in one of our upcoming concerts. He loves the Village and he loves music, so stay tuned….
The extent of Earl’s contributions to music and to people is almost beyond description. The scope of Earl Hesse’s legacy is as wide as it is deep. In 2000, he was inducted into the Arkansas Jazz Hall of Fame. I encourage everyone reading this to visit that website and learn more about Earl Hesse’s magnificent career.
As I complete the finishing touches on this writing, I am listening to one of Earl’s CDs. His rendition of “Amazing Grace” is playing, and I can’t help but stop and take in his beautiful clarinet expression of this classic of the faith. Recently, Earl shared something with me which I thought quite astonishing. He told me that someone years ago commented to him that he was the strangest musician they’d ever known. Earl asked what they meant. The answer: Earl didn’t drink, he didn’t smoke, and he had been married to the same woman for over 50 years. Yes, for a professional musician I suppose that is a rarity, but also a powerful example of his character and priorities to compliment that of his musical talent. This comment prompted me to ask Earl about his family, and let me tell you…he had as much or more to say about them than his music. That revealed something about the man, a quality undoubtedly which did not escape the many young people Earl taught and mentored over the years.
I got the sense that Earl is prouder of his family than of his music, and after reading what he wrote for me I can understand why. He was married to his college sweetheart Kathryn (Kat) for 55 years. She was an accomplished woman in her own right, and together they raised four children – three boys and a girl. The oldest son followed his father’s footsteps, becoming legendary in the band directing profession and for 15 years led Arkansas’ top high school band program. One of his bands was selected to march in President Bill Clinton’s Inaugural Parade in 1993. He has since retired but remains active through judging band contests and writing half-time shows for bands. Their daughter was an occupational therapist and head of two clinics prior to her retirement. Their other two sons became very successful attorneys with their own law firms in Dallas. Most importantly, his children love their father and continue to do what they can to take care of him and still have great times together. Earl lost the love of his life 10 years ago, but fortunately love found Earl once again. As he put it, “I met the second love of my life, Jean, and we have had some of the most wonderful years I ever had.” Continuing, he said “ I always say – If I had known how great getting old was, I would have gotten older a lot sooner!!”
Let me add one more thing before I close. I play in a small band called the Hot Springs New Horizons Band. This band was organized originally for folks, who previously played musical instruments in their younger days, to have an opportunity to resume playing their instrument again after absence due to careers, family, and other areas of life’s journey. Prior to one of our rehearsals several months ago walked in none other than Earl Hesse. I thought to myself…Earl wants to play in our band? He told our director, Bill Crook, that he would like to play clarinet with us if it was okay with him. Well, it doesn’t take much imagination to wonder what Bill’s reply was….Typical of Earl Hesse, he not only played great clarinet, but fit right in with us and enjoyed the music and camaraderie as much (well, perhaps almost as much) as if he were playing with the Arkansas Wind Symphony, the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, the Arkansas Jazz Orchestra, or as a sideman with Tommy Dorsey or Benny Goodman. He is more than a musician to them and to us. He is a comrade and friend.
Need I say more? Thank you, Earl Hesse! Lead on, Sir!