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Name: Jimmy Shortell
Date: 08/18/2008
Kudos for Tony Horowitz:
Tony's teaching style and friendship made me rethink a lot of things about
playing the trumpet and being a trumpet player. One thing he said to me in a
lesson years ago was that if you ever lose the "kid-kicking-a-can mentality" of
the joy you have for playing music... and why you wanted to play music in the
first place....then you might as well hang it up. That really hit home and I
make it a point to remind myself that what I get to do for a living is a gift.
That my job is to make the band, the band leader, the producer, the audience,
etc., glad that I was there and eager for me to come back.
I think as much as his great trumpet playing, book and teaching...Tony's
manner of framing examples like that are invaluable. His love for his horn and
the life he has led weave their way into his teaching. You walk away better and
more informed than you were.
I can thank Tony (in part) for my Mercedes and my O'Day 28' sailboat. They
are not brand new and I didn't "mortgage the family farm" to get them...but I
couldn't help thinking that Tony would approve of a trumpet player out enjoying
the "fruits of his labor" in style between gigs, recording sessions and
practicing... so I went for it. No regrets.
When are we going sailing, Tony?
-Jimmy Shortell
Note:
Jimmy Shortell is a free-lance trumpet player based out of Austin, TX and
has appeared and/or recorded with numerous artists including Ray Benson and
Asleep at the Wheel, Double Trouble, Dale Watson, Eyes Adrift, Ruben Ramos,
Johnny Dee and the Rocket 88's, Rick Trevino, The Pictures, The Texas Tornados,
Little Joe y La Familia, A.B. Quintanilla and the Cumbia Kings, Los Jazz Vatos
(with Ernie Durawa), Baker's Dozen (13 Piece Jazz Orchestra), The Tony Campise
Big Band, and many others as well as playing trumpet on numerous national
jingles. Maintains a small teaching studio and co-produced a Christmas record in
2007 for Ruben Ramos called "Christmas Cool", featuring Ray Benson, Rick
Trevino, Randol Alan Bass and more. Married 19 years to his lovely wife, Elaine
and two great kids Megan and Ethan.
Webmaster
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Name: Ben Wastaferro
Date: 08/05/2008
Hi Tony,
It is amazing to realize how far you have gone. Reading and listening to your sound bites brought back some wonderful memories. We are so pleased to know you have done so well.
Your playing and compositions are well planned and beautifully performed. I wrote some comments on your web site, I hope you don't mind if I got a little sentimental, after all, even though it was for a short while, it was an honor to have known you and have you as my student.
Your sound is very warm and sincere, your ideas are very original and inspiring, what you are playing is done flawlessly.
Need I say more Tony, I am a great fan of yours now that you have become the person you are.
Keep up the good work, we are praying for your continued endeavors and continued good health.
Hope to hear from you again.
Your friend
Ben Wastaferro
*Note from Tony:
Ben began playing professionally at age 17 with the Tommy Reynolds band, which included Conrad Gozzo. He joined the Isham Jones Orchestra, and migrated to the Johnny Scat Davis Orchestra at the Black Hawk in Chicago.
Later on he played with Al Donahue Orchestra in New York.He joined the immensely popular Vaughn Monroe band, played the Paramount in NY, and did many recordings with Monroe, along with the Camel Caravan show on NBC.
In 1942 Ben enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, and was promptly shipped to France, where he played for Bob Hope. After WW II, Ben studied at the Paris Conservatory, and then came home and studied at the Schillinger House, which later became the Berklee College of Music in Boston.He joined Freddy Martin in 1952, and came west and settled in L.A., where he carved out a career for himself in the music business.
He was a wonderful teacher of mine, and a super inspiration.
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Name: Werner Schreml
Date: 08/04/2008
Time: 01:22 PM
Comments:
Hallo Tony,
we met us last saturday in Eschenbach (Germany) and we talked a little about an old german trumpet.
So it was a great pleasure for me to meet you. Next time i will try to practise your method
"Warm-up To Consistency". I will contact you by email.
many greetings
Werner
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Name: troy dexter
Date: 06/20/2008
Time: 08:14 PM
Comments:
Hey Tony,
Great website.
Continued success to you.
Would love to catch up.
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Name: Dee Bostic
Date: 03/16/2008
Time: 10:32 PM
Comments:
Tony, was a honor to meet you and learn of your unique history. Hope to be able to hear you play live one day! Im sure I will see you around again but until then be cool,
Dameron Bostic
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Name: James
Date: 02/25/2008
Time: 11:43 AM
Comments:
Tony, you kept us all entertained on our recent train ride between New Delhi and Agra - My boys still talk about you - Great to meet you both. It's wonderful to read about your most interesting life.
Stay well
James
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Name: TERRY MALLOY
Date: 02/13/2008
Time: 08:27 AM
Comments:
My wife and I met you and your lovely wife, Naomi, in New Delhi. It was wonderful seeing you both. We also enjoyed meeting up with you at the Taj Mahal in Agra. It really is such a special place, created by a man as in love with his wife as you are with yours. Yes. You're right. India is massive.
We plan on ordering your CDs as soon as we return home, and can hear some of the tracks.
Until then, keep on swinging.
Terry and Susie
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Name: dave von blohn
Date: 01/27/2008
Time: 02:58 PM
Comments:
Hi Tony, I was googling Dale Stinson and found a quote from him on your site. We were in school together inthe 1980's at north Texas State University. I've lost touch with him. Do you have any contact with himor can you forward my email address to him. Any help would bve appreciated.
Thank you,
Dave von Blohn
Dallas, TX
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Name: Dan Scott (aka Danny)
Date: 01/15/2008
Time: 11:43 AM
Comments:
T, Life is STRANGE! NOW that I'm back in the USA, I have more time to look at your web site and really "learn" about YOU. On the other hand, are you "slowing down?" I don't recall the last time i got a "travelogue" from you.
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Name: Josef
Date: 01/09/2008
Time: 05:56 AM
Comments:
Hi Tony!
best regards from your friend Josef, the trumper player near Grafenwöhr. I found a great Big band near Graf and they need your help: the excellent "King Size Big Band" with his Leader Markus King König. Please call me back!
Thanks!
Josef
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Name: Frank Vierra
Date: 01/07/2008
Time: 10:59 AM
Comments:
Tony,
You are the one that I remembered from Porter Jr. Hi. I always injoied your playing.
I live in central Missouri and have been in business for myself for the past 20 years. We design and build electrical control systems.
I keep in touch with a few of the folks from Porter and Granada Hills High.
You have my email, please keep in touch.
Frank
