The real reason I left the Bull City Syndicate
In last week’s podcast with Steve Baker, we talked briefly about my time playing with his band in the Raleigh/Durham area. The band is called “Bull City Syndicate” and is top-notch with the quality, entertainment value, showmanship, etc. In fact, as I said in the podcast, I learned a lot about showmanship and how to be an entertainer standing next to Steve, and in the front row of the band.
But there was one tiny problem.
It was completely nerve-wracking for me.
My primary experience as a trumpeter until this time was in classical music. I would play jazz in the Army if asked to do so, but it wasn’t my preference. And I wouldn’t be caught dead in the Army band’s version of a horn band like BCS.
Give me Haydn, Bach, Enescu, Mahler and the like every time. And of course I love me some Rhapsody in Blue. I can play the opening clarinet solo like a boss.
But even that wasn’t the biggest issue. For all of my adult life, I’ve been a regular attendee of churches and messianic synagogues. Playing stuff like U2, Bruno Mars, Justin Timberlake, the BeeGees created a bit of a moral dichotomy personally.
Now I’m not being critical of anyone who goes to church and likes to listen and/or play rock music. I’m just sharing my own experience.
So Steve had arranged for a photo shoot for the band, and I was supposed to be in it, as I was a regular member of the group.
This created not a small dilemma for me. Having a photo shoot is rather permanent. This is what will be used for marketing purposes. It was a point of no return.
So I called Steve and said I couldn’t do the photo shoot. I don’t remember exactly what was said, but it amounted to being in the band was outside of my comfort zone.
What’s funny is that he and I discussed this from the outset when we were both considering whether or not I should be part of the group. I specifically said that I wanted to stretch myself musically, and the only way to do so was to get outside my comfort zone.
Well, it wasn’t that I wasn’t up to the job musically. I was told I played fine. I suppose I didn’t factor the morality issue into the equation like I should have.
That being said, 3 years later, I don’t think it would be as much of an issue. A bit of experience, self-evaluation, etc. in the interim has caused me to loosen my once rigid standards when it comes to music and pop culture. If I were to play with the band today, I would probably enjoy it a lot more. (And no, I’m not lobbying Steve for a job, as I know he reads these emails lol)
You never look at the same river twice, right? We’re always changing our views and perspectives on things with the things we experience, and the knowledge we gain.
I’ve been increasing my own knowledge of trumpet history, playing, pedagogy and what not since I started the Trumpet Dynamics podcast. And while 90% of the episodes are no longer available on the web, the vast majority of them are available on my mobile app.
If you want to check them out, along with the many other things available, then head on over to this link: