A Living Legend Still Hits the High Notes

Picture by Daniela Vladimirova

A Residing Legend Still Hits the High Notes

Snooky Youthful

Even as the attractiveness of jazz ebbs and flows, Laguna Seaside is home to devoted aficionados of the genre, these kinds of as Laguna Seaside Reside! co-founders Cindy Prewett and Sam Goldstein, accountable for producing the common Wednesday outdoor jazz series at Hotel Laguna.

Now jazz lovers are in for a particular deal with: the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, a planet-renowned group that accompanies leading recording artists, is playing the Artists’ Theatre on Sept. twenty five. The plan contains a featured overall performance by Eugene “Snooky” Youthful, of Newport Seashore, a former Count Basie and Doc Severinson band member who at age 92 even now holds his individual amongst trumpeters half his age although he is mainly deaf.

“He nevertheless rehearses each and every day like clockwork. To preserve his lip up he plays scales,” said granddaughter Melanie Andrews.”He retains up with us and nonetheless inspires us,” added Clayton Hamilton trombone player Ira Nepus. “Snooky presents the residing background of the big band era.”

Born in Dayton, Ohio, Young recalls learning to play the trumpet at age 5. How he arrived by the nickname, he’s no longer positive of.

But, it really is not his age on your own that sets him apart. He commenced taking part in lead trumpet at age 19 for the Jimmie Lunceford band (1939-1942). He did a number of stints, eight years in total, with Count Basie, played with Lionel Hampton and also the Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Band. As a freelancer he has also recorded with Charles Mingus and Jimmy Smith.

Above the years, whilst playing with Quincy Jones, BB King and the rock group The Band, to mention just a number of, he became recognized for coaxing a variety of unique sounds from his horn with the help of a plunger and cup mutes.

In 1967, Young joined the Doc Severinsen band and Johnny Carson’s “Tonight Show,” a stint that lasted twenty five many years till 1992. Nowadays, he lives in Newport Seaside with his wife Dorothy, 89, and his daughter Judy Andrews, 72, granddaughter Melanie, 42, and fantastic-grandchildren Lauren, 9, and Cameron, four.

Throughout his career, Youthful has toured the U.S. and the earth and still makes appearances on the lecture circuit, these kinds of as a Sept. 27 and 28 look at Cal State Fullerton accompanied by fellow trumpeter Clay Jenkins.

Youthful, who obtained the Nationwide Endowment for the Arts’ jazz grasp award in 2009, these days also indulges one more enthusiasm, fishing. “He calls himself a fisherman, and when he’s not fishing in our canal, he feeds the ducks and the fish,” said Melanie.

The Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra will mark its 25th year subsequent March. Founded by John (bass) and Jeff Clayton (saxophone, flute) and Jeff Hamilton (drums) in 1986, the group served as the Hollywood Bowl’s home band amongst 1999 and 2001, and has accompanied many recording artists these as Diana Krall and John Pizzarelli.