Grumps
04-06-2003, 07:17 PM
Last year, shortly after finding this forum, I was inspired to get all my horns in proper working order and set up with decent mouthpieces, stands, etc. One of these horns was a forgotten Conn New Wonder ('21) bari which was given to me over twenty years ago. I hadn't played bari regularly since '81 as a freshman in my college jazz band and even then used the university's VI, but last night I was reborn. I finally got to take the old Conn out on the town. I was with a group of guys I play ball with and we were at a local club that was featuring a very popular local funk band. Prior to the show I went up to the stage to see if I knew any of the players and when they found out I played, they asked me to fetch my bari (they had a trumpet and a tenor/soprano player). I got to sit in on the second set and surprise my friends and it was a blast. Their tenor player was awesome, as was their trumpet player and they let me break it open a few times. When I've sat in with groups in the past it was always with alto, soprano or tenor. This time it had to be bari and I was very lucky to have mine just recently serviced and ready for action. For that I owe my appreciation for this forum. One heck of a night.