Here is his obituary from All About Jazz.
WARREN LUENING, RENOWNED STUDIO TRUMPETER DIES
Showing posts with label trumpet. Show all posts
Showing posts with label trumpet. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
R.I.P Warren Luening (1941-2012)
It is with heavy hearts that the world lost another fine musician. Warren Luening, who played trumpet for the Welk Orchestra from 1958 to 1960, passed away due to complications from cancer this past Sunday.
Here is his obituary from All About Jazz.
WARREN LUENING, RENOWNED STUDIO TRUMPETER DIES
Here is his obituary from All About Jazz.
WARREN LUENING, RENOWNED STUDIO TRUMPETER DIES
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Friday, December 10, 2010
Monday, April 19, 2010
St. Louis Blues
Monday, April 12, 2010
A Musical Appreciation for Mickey McMahan
One of the finest in the business, Mickey was First Trumpet Chair in the Welk Orchestra....
He also toured with Bob Hope for many years as a part of the Les Brown Orchestra, especially when they went overseas to entertain for the troops.
Here's an example of Mickey's brilliant work on the trumpet, from 1973 here he is in the solo spot playing "Tres Palabras"
He also toured with Bob Hope for many years as a part of the Les Brown Orchestra, especially when they went overseas to entertain for the troops.
Here's an example of Mickey's brilliant work on the trumpet, from 1973 here he is in the solo spot playing "Tres Palabras"
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Meet the Baileys
Monday, June 29, 2009
Musical Chairs
If you're a die-hard Welkie like myself, maybe you'll notice this....
From the show's 18th season (1972-73), the trumpet section's seating arrangement (right above the trombones) from left to right; Johnny Zell, Mickey McMahan, Norman Bailey and Charlie Parlato.
It's been like that for the past several seasons.
However.....
From the show's 18th season (1972-73), the trumpet section's seating arrangement (right above the trombones) from left to right; Johnny Zell, Mickey McMahan, Norman Bailey and Charlie Parlato.
It's been like that for the past several seasons.
However.....
Later on in the same season, while Johnny and Mickey's spots remain the same, the other two trumpeters switch places. Charlie is seated in Norman's chair while Norm is now assigned to Charlie's old chair.
Inquiring minds want to know....
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Indiana
It's hard to believe that the concert at Bear Creek is already just a week ago....
To salute the fine folks from the Hoosier State (where Bear Creek Farms is located), I bring you, courtesy of Chris and YouTube, the Welk Orchestra from an episode of The Plymouth Show (a.k.a Top Tunes and New Talent) in 1959 playing a champagne version of "Indiana" featuring George Thow, Norman Bailey, Art Depew and Rocky Rockwell on trumpet!
To salute the fine folks from the Hoosier State (where Bear Creek Farms is located), I bring you, courtesy of Chris and YouTube, the Welk Orchestra from an episode of The Plymouth Show (a.k.a Top Tunes and New Talent) in 1959 playing a champagne version of "Indiana" featuring George Thow, Norman Bailey, Art Depew and Rocky Rockwell on trumpet!
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Thursday Morning Trumpet Roll Call
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Warren Luening
Played trumpet with the Welk Orchestra for a few years (1958 to 1960) during the Silver Champagne Era.
I found this nice tribute site to Warren, he has been pretty busy since those days!
Friday, January 09, 2009
A Dick Cathcart minute
Thursday, June 07, 2007
Norman Bailey
On this nice June day today....let's take a champagne salute to one of Lawrence Welk's fine trumpet players, Worcester's own Norman Bailey!
Fellas....will call it a draw
He was with the band from 1952 to 1973, an anchor in the horn section...known for his solo renditions of "Hot Lips" and "Sugar Blues."
One of his daughters, Janice, appeared on many Welk shows during the late 1950s and early 1960s as a singer....
...and did you know before the Maestro expanded the horn section in 1957, Norm also did double duty playing the trombone as well?
You'll always learn something new about our Welk stars everyday here on this blog....and here's him at his finest, fighting with Charlie Parlato for on-air time in this clip!
Fellas....will call it a draw
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Trumpet Trumpet Trumpet
As we continue on our weekly tour of the orchestra, lets look at some of the fine trumpet players that have tooted their horns for Lawrence Welk!
There's George "Gus" Thow and Art Depew...
...and here's Rocky Rockwell from St. Joe,
...and let's not forget Dick Catchart, Mickey McMahan and Norman Bailey,
....and here's Johnny Zell, the gold standard of all trumpet players...
...and finally, Charlie Parlato and Laroon Holt.
Nice to hear that wunnerful trumpet sound again boys!
Friday, November 17, 2006
Norman Bailey
If there was ever the standard-bearer of excellent trumpet players from the Welk orchestra, Norman Bailey would fit the bill!
The native of Worcester, Massachusetts; Norm's first long term engagement with a big band was with the Freddy Martin Orchestra where music fans everywhere got to hear him in action. Later he moved out to Southern California where in 1952, he joined the Welk band and that is where "Iron Lips" really made a name for himself.
Some of his most popular numbers on the show include "Sugar Blues" and "Hot Lips". One of his proteges include fellow music maker Johnny Zell.
The father of two daughters; one of them, Janice, made several guest appearances on the show where she displayed her talents as a singer. He was also good friends with the Lennon Sisters and their family, and until he left in 1973, was truly a professional and reliable music maker for all.
He passed on July 11, 1984 aged 71; thankfully, we all have reruns of the show where his memory lives to this day.
Thursday, June 08, 2006
Johnny Zell
Here's one of the most talented and most popular musicians to have ever played the trumpet on the Welk show, Johnny Zell.Born in Fort Benning, GA....Johnnny and his family grew up in Southern California where at age 15 tried to score an audition with the music makers at the Hollywood Palladium, but the maestro thought he was too young and suggested he get some experience.
Five and a half years later, fresh out of the Army (with the NORAD band), he got his chance to play with the Music Makers which lasted from 1968 to 1982 and became immensly popular with his workmanship with the trumpet.
A devout Christian, Johnny, the father of four, and his wife Laura lives in Oregon where he continues to perform his horn and teach trumpet lessons in cyberspace courtesy of his webpage.
Thursday, May 25, 2006
Norman Bailey & Charlie Parlato
As Lawrence Welk would say...."A Couple Of Old Timers".Here's two of the band's talented trumpet players Norman Bailey (the one wearing the glasses) and Charlie Parlato (the short one). Norm has been with the music makers from 1952 to 1973 by way of Worcester, MA (same hometown of sax player Russ Klein) and has the distinction of steering a young Johnny Zell towards the trumpet when he gave the young Johnny one of his horns...of course the rest is history.
Charlie, in addition to be a excellent trumpist, is also a terrific musical comic and vocalist. He's from Fredonia, NY and his own family is quite musical, his grandaughter Gretchen is an accomplished jazz vocalist in her own right....you can learn more about Gretchen by clicking on to her official webpage.
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