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Spotlight Members
Trumpet Section
RICK SHARP - It takes dedication, and practicing two hours each
and every night to be the lead trumpet of the Gateway City Big Band. So believes Rick Sharp, section leader
of the trumpets.
Rick began playing the trumpet at the age of nine in the Riverview Gardens School District. By high school he was the first chair in the
band. He kept it up in college at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. After graduation, Uncle Sam called, so Rick
enlisted in the Army Band, and served a tour of duty in Germany. When he was discharged he looked around for
somewhere to play. In less than a year he received a call to play with
the Big Band. That was in 1974 and he has been with them ever since.
Rick became lead trumpet in the early 1980's. The lead trumpet
has to be strong, which requires dedication and practice, practice,
practice. Rick's family has learned to plan their lives around the Gateway City Big Band.
By day Rick is a Senior Vice-President of First National Bank of St. Louis. His office is filled with pictures and
figurines of trumpet players. Even co-workers are used to his music
passion, often attending evening events only to find him "tooting his
horn."
Rick has one son, Doug, a piano/clarinet/sax player who has
subbed with the Big Band. Doug is currently serving with the United
States Army at Fort Hood in Killeen, Texas. Rick was the band treasurer for many years,
putting his day job experience to good use, and in February of 2008 became
President of the band. In February of
2005, Rick and trombone section leader/vocalist Karen Kelly Sharp were
married.
The return of the popularity of big band music has Rick
thrilled as he notices the crowds getting younger and younger.
Rick sees a real future for big band music, a passion he has had for 51 years
and counting.
BILL FELDNER - As with most "kicks" bands, the Gateway City Big Band has several members who have full time
careers other than music. This trumpet player is a sports medicine
doctor with a love of music. He is Bill Feldner, who joined the band in
the mid-90's because of his love for the big band sound.
Bill was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma and began playing trumpet in 6th grade. In the
high school band he was voted "Most Outstanding Senior." Bill
took his horn with him to Drury College playing in the Concert Band, Jazz
Band and Orchestra. He kept playing with community bands while
attending medical school at O.S.U. in Tulsa.
When Bill moved to St. Louis he took a hiatus from music for sports
medicine training, but in the early 90's joined the Meramec Concert Band and
the Ambassadors of Swing, where the Gateway City Big Band got his name and
called him to come be a substitute. He finally was able to alter his
schedule to come play and when a spot in the trumpet section opened up
in 1998, he became a regular.
Bill doesn't get to practice medicine in the band but he does
add a great sound to the section. He is married to Julie, who he met at
the Muny Opera. They have two children, Sara, 6 and Max, 4.
The kids will grow up with the Big Band as Bill has no plans to leave
anytime soon. "I will stay with this group as long as they let
me," he says enthusiastically. Bill likes the Big Band and its
members. "It is one of the best and most fun bands I have ever
played in," he says. He fits right in!
HERB BOOTH - Herb, our second trumpet, came up through kid bands
around St.
Louis. He attended Webster Groves High School and went on to Washington University, playing with several groups.
Herb then gave up music for thirty years. He calls that "a
really bad mistake." One day he bought a new trumpet, set up a
practice room in the basement and began working on his long-lost musical
skills.
He sent a letter to the Gateway City Big Band and received an invitation to come
substitute. After a few years a spot opened up and he was invited to
join permanently. Herb plays wonderful swing style solos and you can
tell his trumpet icons are Louis Armstrong and Harry James.
In addition to playing with the Gateway City Big Band, Herb's
talent earns him jobs in the Caribbean, cruises on the Pacific Ocean and on
the Mississippi River, playing with groups like Sammy Kaye, Dick Jurgens and
the Jan Garber Orchestra. These are all "ghost bands", a
group of independent musicians who play the charts owned by the leader of
that particular band.
Herb has also put together some "shows" for the Big
Band, using a number of songs to tell the history of big band music through
the years. He and his wife Suzie are an important part of the band.
Herb enjoys being part of the group. "The Gateway City Big Band is one of the classiest, most polished,
danceable, listenable kicks bands imaginable, " Herb says. I'm
constantly amazed by the high level of musicianship of every volunteer
member." Quoting one famous composer, "It don't mean a thing,
if it ain't got that swing!"
MIKE STEEP – Mike joined us in the Fall of 2006. He is a recent graduate of Missouri State University (Springfield) with a degree in Music Education. A graduate of St. Charles West High School,
Mike is happy to be back home in St. Louis and even happier to be the newest
member of the Gateway City Big Band.
While at MSU, Mike participated in and performed with every
instrumental ensemble the University had to offer. This included the 300-member Pride Marching
Band, University Wind Ensemble, and University Jazz Ensemble – all of
which performed at nationally recognized events. Most recently, Mike played lead trumpet
with the MSU Jazz Ensemble at the 2005 Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago (his second performance at this prestigious event
– the first being with his high school jazz ensemble in 1999). While at MSU, Mike had the privilege of
playing lead trumpet for such guest artists as John Pizzarelli, Bill Watrous,
Clark Terry, Mulgrew Miller, Chris Vadala, Frank Stallone, and Marilyn
Mae. Also at MSU, Mike played lead
trumpet for the University Dues Band – a dance band with a book very
similar to Gateway’s. The Dues
Band performed at many of the same types of events as Gateway so it has been
very easy for Mike to pick up right where he left off.
At a young age Mike fell in love with the sounds of Count Basie, Duke
Ellington, Tommy Dorsey, and Glenn Miller.
“I never listened to the radio – the first time I played
in a jazz band I was hooked. I spent
all the money I had buying CDs of my favorite big bands and tried to emulate
that sound in my own playing . . . very unusual for a 13 year old kid, I
know.” As Mike grew up, Count
Basie took over his record collection and they have become his all time
favorite big band.
Currently, Mike teaches band at Crestview Middle School and Marquette High School in St. Louis’ Rockwood School District.
Mike is thrilled to be playing lead
trumpet for the Gateway City Big Band.
“Everyone in the band has really made me feel welcome. It’s so nice to come together every
week and play with the best big band in St. Louis.”
Mike’s excellent reading skills, big sound and good improvising
ability make him a valuable new asset to the band.
ALEC PATTON – Alec is our newest trumpet addition. He’s a St. Charles native, a Missouri State (Springfield) grad with a Music Education degree and is currently
teaching at a St. Charles middle school.
He also performs with the 28-piece St. Louis Brass Band.
Alec recently returned from Africa, where he accompanied his
girlfriend on her 6-month Peace Corps gig in Kenya. While there he
taught music to Kenyan kids, and led the Nairobi high school band.
Since returning, he signed on with the music staff of the Rockwood School District.
Alec’s favorite trumpeters are
Wynton Marsalis, Al Hirt, and Nicolas Peyton.
His top groups – Duke Ellington and the Lincoln Center Jazz Ensemble.
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