RIP Alan Raph
- KWL
- Posts: 123
- Joined: Oct 23, 2019
I haven’t seen this mentioned, but Alan Raph has died at age 90. While he had what seems to be a long, full life and influenced many bass trombonists, myself included, it seems way too early.
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<LINK_TEXT text="https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/ne ... d=53804454">https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/newstimes/name/alan-raph-obituary?id=53804454</LINK_TEXT>
- DougHulme
- Posts: 558
- Joined: Apr 27, 2018
Sad day. As KWL says he was so influencial especially his study/rehearsal publications and an exceptional player himself... I must break out the Duo-Gravis in his memory... Doug
- boneagain
- Posts: 276
- Joined: Mar 24, 2018
Mr. Raph was a true gentle man.
His Youtube videos of around 15 years ago give a good idea of how this giant of the trombone world came across in person. I had the privilege of interviewing him about the origin of the Duo Gravis at the location in the video. He was warm, welcoming, and unbelievably easy to talk to.
Here's one of those videos. Great info in it (he is doing all those low notes with a 1 1/2G!) but he really was as calm and focused on his listener in person as he is in the video.
Sad day indeed!
[url]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNgZ1TK0h8Y
His Youtube videos of around 15 years ago give a good idea of how this giant of the trombone world came across in person. I had the privilege of interviewing him about the origin of the Duo Gravis at the location in the video. He was warm, welcoming, and unbelievably easy to talk to.
Here's one of those videos. Great info in it (he is doing all those low notes with a 1 1/2G!) but he really was as calm and focused on his listener in person as he is in the video.
Sad day indeed!
- JeffBone44
- Posts: 367
- Joined: Oct 24, 2022
I had the great pleasure of being a member of his Danbury Brass Band. Visiting Australia in 2004 to tour with the band was one of the highlights of my life. I learned a lot from him - he introduced me to a lot of music that I wasn't aware of, and he was a talented composer and arranger in addition to being a great mentor. I had seen him a few times this past summer as I was called back to sub with the band and he was doing very well.
RIP Alan.
RIP Alan.
- flotrb
- Posts: 80
- Joined: Jun 20, 2018
Had the extreme pleasure of meeting Alan at the 1st ITA - Nashville - 1971. I pulled out an old photo from then, but 50 years has clouded the names...any help would be greatly appreciated.
Front row, L>R: ???, George Roberts, Buddy Baker, Henry Romersa
Back row, L>R: Alan Raph, ???, Lewis Van Haney
Front row, L>R: ???, George Roberts, Buddy Baker, Henry Romersa
Back row, L>R: Alan Raph, ???, Lewis Van Haney
- KWL
- Posts: 123
- Joined: Oct 23, 2019
The ??? In the back row to Alan’s left is Ernest Lyon. Ernie was a professor at the University of Louisville and a Remington student.
- KWL
- Posts: 123
- Joined: Oct 23, 2019
[quote="Bach5G"]Did the Raph exercise in tribute.[/quote]
I finally bought Pat Williams’ LP “Heavy Vibrations” in his honor. A little more passive than your tribute.
I finally bought Pat Williams’ LP “Heavy Vibrations” in his honor. A little more passive than your tribute.
- Conoroo
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Jan 08, 2024
Alan Raph's edition of the Bordogni vocalises was the first etude book I remember playing, and I still have my coffee stained copy from the 8th grade, with all my teachers' notes and my sloppy markings. God bless the man who's had such a lasting influence on trombonists everywhere!
- Trombo
- Posts: 143
- Joined: Dec 11, 2020
Alan Rough would have turned 91 today, July 3rd.
He was a great player and teacher.
RIP.
<YOUTUBE id="mn13Yl2LkjE">https://youtu.be/mn13Yl2LkjE?si=W7qc3DN8uePZFMcr</YOUTUBE>
He was a great player and teacher.
RIP.
<YOUTUBE id="mn13Yl2LkjE">https://youtu.be/mn13Yl2LkjE?si=W7qc3DN8uePZFMcr</YOUTUBE>
- hyperbolica
- Posts: 3990
- Joined: Mar 23, 2018
[quote="Conoroo"]Alan Raph's edition of the Bordogni vocalises was the first etude book I remember playing, and I still have my coffee stained copy from the 8th grade, with all my teachers' notes and my sloppy markings. God bless the man who's had such a lasting influence on trombonists everywhere![/quote]
Yes, this was my main connection with him as well. I saw his name on my music stand a majority of the days of my early career. He will certainly be remembered.
Yes, this was my main connection with him as well. I saw his name on my music stand a majority of the days of my early career. He will certainly be remembered.
- u_2bobone
- Posts: 474
- Joined: Mar 25, 2018
I never met Alan, but as I was enjoying my Duo Gravis early in my career, I always wanted to thank him for his involvement in developing what I consider as probably the best all around bass trombone available at the time ----- and ----- :idk: perhaps it still is the best available ? RIP Alan.
- kenkugler
- Posts: 37
- Joined: Apr 26, 2018
[quote="flotrb"]Front row, L>R: ???, George Roberts, Buddy Baker, Henry Romersa
Back row, L>R: Alan Raph, ???, Lewis Van Haney[/quote]
In the photo from ITA (1971) the person in the front row far left next to George Roberts is Benny Pressler. He taught at Ball State University. He went to Eastman, was a Remington student and a classmate of Lewis Van Haney.
Back row, L>R: Alan Raph, ???, Lewis Van Haney[/quote]
In the photo from ITA (1971) the person in the front row far left next to George Roberts is Benny Pressler. He taught at Ball State University. He went to Eastman, was a Remington student and a classmate of Lewis Van Haney.
- JTeagarden
- Posts: 625
- Joined: Feb 24, 2025
I met him when I sat in at rehearsal of the Danbury Brass Band, truly a nice guy.
He was very quotable, my favorite was when a fellow trombonist mentioned to Alan that he wasn't sure he was buying the music they were being paid to play. His response was "your job isn't to <I>buy </I>the music, it's to sell it!"
Great advice!
He was very quotable, my favorite was when a fellow trombonist mentioned to Alan that he wasn't sure he was buying the music they were being paid to play. His response was "your job isn't to <I>buy </I>the music, it's to sell it!"
Great advice!