CaballarosJr. Posted December 5, 2011 Share Posted December 5, 2011 This is another test to see if there is anything on The Net Boards that won't have people disagreeing. Best solo of all time 1979 North Star during Ole. I think his name was Gerry Noonan or something like that. Seriously for those who have heard it. I dare you do state anything else. Not even 1975 MacArthur Park 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonW Posted December 5, 2011 Share Posted December 5, 2011 Good enough to make it on the Echoes v6: Artistry in Brass CD One of my favorite tracks on that disk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mobrien Posted December 5, 2011 Share Posted December 5, 2011 Best of its kind, perhaps. From a musicality standpoint, however, Chris Metzger's work in Madison '74 to '77 is still the exemplar. If I had to choose a clip of an old school drum corps to show someone today that there were some seriously great musicians back in the day, Metzger's solo work in "God Bless the Child" is what I'd choose. The phrasing is individual and genuine and perfectly in sync with the idiom, in a way that most other soloists weren't then and aren't now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DAvery Posted December 5, 2011 Share Posted December 5, 2011 Best of its kind, perhaps. From a musicality standpoint, however, Chris Metzger's work in Madison '74 to '77 is still the exemplar. If I had to choose a clip of an old school drum corps to show someone today that there were some seriously great musicians back in the day, Metzger's solo work in "God Bless the Child" is what I'd choose. The phrasing is individual and genuine and perfectly in sync with the idiom, in a way that most other soloists weren't then and aren't now. I think another soloist that is overlooked is the soprano from 77 Bridgmen in Harlem Nocturne. I think that could stand with "God Bless the Child". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LancerLegend Posted December 5, 2011 Share Posted December 5, 2011 I think another soloist that is overlooked is the soprano from 77 Bridgmen in Harlem Nocturne. I think that could stand with "God Bless the Child". That would be Mr. "Diamond Jim" Brady. All three guys had different genres and were superb solists. The 4th character is Jeff Keivet. Those four were in a league of their own. They played long solos, and I never heard one of them crack. Many others played far shorter solos and had cracked at some point in a show - or at finals ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeD Posted December 5, 2011 Share Posted December 5, 2011 That would be Mr. "Diamond Jim" Brady. All three guys had different genres and were superb solists. The 4th character is Jeff Keivet. Those four were in a league of their own. They played long solos, and I never heard one of them crack. Many others played far shorter solos and had cracked at some point in a show - or at finals ! The bari player in 27th who played the trombone solo in the 1971 Chicago medley used as the concert number was pretty darn awesome. Going back even further, BS' great sop soloist on "Free Again" in 69 and 70 (named Bill Pusey, I think). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elphaba01 Posted December 5, 2011 Share Posted December 5, 2011 "Best Solo of "All Time":,,,, Well: "All Time" is a VERY long time indeed. If we're going "Way Back" I'd throw my old witches hat in the ring for Bill Hightower, the GREAT junior baritone soloist for the long gone St Catherine's Queensmen. He solo'd spectacularly on the Joe Genero arrangements of "Tin Roof Blues" and "Black Bottom" back in 1961 (And can be heard on the Fleetwood reissue CD of "Brass by Night") as well as rack up a nice hatfull of victories at metro "I & E" shows. Elphaba WWW Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Legolaus Posted December 5, 2011 Share Posted December 5, 2011 Greatest Soprano Soloists of DCI Being a former trumpet player, I may be slightly biased, but I can’t think of anything else I would rather listen to than a skillful soprano soloist backed by a great hornline. Obviously these results are subjective and some certainly are charged by my own personal emotions when I was listening to these performers. All of these gifted individuals marched in junior drum corps during the DCI era (1972-1999). 10) Hunter Moss-Spirit of Atlanta 1984 & 1985. One word comes to mind when you listen to Hunter play-style. His velvet tone and impeccable style set him apart from most players in the activity. His clarity in the upper range rang out over the hornline. 9) Tom Meredith-Kilties 1977. 8) Greg Blum-Colts 1980 & 1981. I consider showmanship a huge part of being a great DCI soloist. In this category Greg stands alone. Known as ‘Harpo’ because of his crazy blonde afro, Greg’s rendition of Summertime from Porgy and Bess demonstrated Greg’s attention-grabbing tone quality and incredible ability to play in every register of the horn with impeccable velvet tone and crisp projection . 7) Al Chez-Garfield Cadets 1981 &1982. If high note chops were the only criteria on this list Al would probably top the list. His double F in 1982 is the highest note played in DCI history (tied in 1986 by Morgan Larson-see #9). For me, it was his solo work in 1981 that best demonstrated the power and excitement of a great performer. He now performs on the Late Show with Letterman and his high note chops are better than ever! 6) Jerry Noonan-North Star 1979 & 1980. The best trait of Jerry was the way he could make his sound pop out of an ensemble. Not pop out in a bad way, but pop out in a good (Buddy Rich Big Band lead trumpet) way. His solo work featured his tremendous upper register chops as well as his superb ability to show off his acrobatic flexibility. His solo work in Ole in both 1979 and 1980 featured every quality of this fine player. 5) Adam Rapa- East Coast Jazz 1995-2000. A huge regret I have in my collection of DCI recordings is that I do not have a recording of East Coast Jazz in the mid 90’s when they featured this amazing soloist. Adam has all the characteristics of a great player: range, tone, and technique. Adam went on to perform with Blast and because he never jumped ship and went to a “big” corps many drum corps fans missed the absolute pleasure of hearing this master. 4) Shaun Owens- Madison Scouts 1982, 1983 & 1984. Certainly the moment that put Shaun squarely on this list was his solo work in 1983’s Strawberry Soup. His command of the upper register is flawless and he plays up to a double E seemingly effortlessly. This former tuba player was not only a masterful high note specialist, but he also demonstrated his technical ability by winning the I&E solo contest in 1983. 3) Chris Metzger-Madison Scouts 1974, 1975, 1976 &1977. Chris is probably the best “all around” player on this list. He is a masterful technical player. His tone production in the lower register as well as the upper register is unparalleled. His high-note chops could rival Maynard Ferguson’s and his legit chops produced solos that sounded like Doc Severson (MacArther’s Park, West Side Story 1977). A great example of his high note chops comes at the end of Bond Street during the 1974 show when he wails up to the highest note in recorded DCI history. 2) Jeff Kevitt-Muchachos 1974 & 1975. If smoothness was the main criteria for this list then the top spot would belong to Jeff. Jeff was the master of filling a venue with his big sound. The most amazing thing about Jeff’s playing was that his tone seemed to never change no matter what register he was playing in. When I think of a player filling an entire stadium with huge, gorgeous sound the best example of this is Jeff. His use of air and support are textbook methods of how to be a great horn player. He went on to perform with Chuck Mangione as well as many other top professional musicians (as did many on this list). Jeff’s solo work in Pictures of Spain and MaryAnne are considered by many to be some of the finest solo work in the history of the activity. 1) Jim Brady-Bridgemen 1977 & 1978. I could think of no one better to christen in the advent of the 2 valve soprano bugle than with Jim’s absolute mastery of a brass instrument. His solo work in 1977 was featured in Pagliacci as the corps’ opener. This thrilling moment was only outdone by Jim, himself the next yearl. Jim’s technique is unmatched by any other horn player in the activity. Stylistically he is a god. He places each note in the exact position like it was meant to live there. His solo work in Harlem Nocturne in 1978 stole the show. If you are looking for the best combination of technical ability, tone production, style and showmanship you can end your search with Jim Brady! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaballarosJr. Posted December 6, 2011 Author Share Posted December 6, 2011 Ok you guys are just being argumentative. The only three soloists who are even close to I guess his name is Gerry Noonan, is my brother in IF in the 1976 Buckeye State Caballaros, Betsy in Children of Sanchez BSC 1979 and myself in a few rehearsals in sectionals in 1979. I think I played solos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaballarosJr. Posted December 6, 2011 Author Share Posted December 6, 2011 TOMORROW. The Best Rifle Line Ever..... and it's not Phantom or Cavs 1980. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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