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He is a trumpeter whose father also played and he
began to perform the instrument when he was just 5 years old. He performed in his school band and then after dropping
out of college he went to play with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra. He went on to perform with the O'Jays
for a time before relocating to Miami to attend the University of Miami
School of Music and perform in its concert jazz band. While there he played in the
Bananas club and would get the chance to perform with stars such as Tony
Bennett, Bob Hope and Ben E. King.
Although he was awarded the "Outstanding Performance for Jazz
Instrumentalist" in 1982 by the Downbeat Magazine, the work dried up and he
took jobs as a substitute teacher and store salesman. In 1992 a friend told him that
Jimmy Buffett was looking for a trumpeter, and 2 weeks later he was working
with him as a member of the Coral Reefer Band. The rest is pretty much history as he has been with him
as a touring and recording musician ever since appearing on albums that
include Fruitcakes, Barometer Soup, Banana Wind, Christmas Island, Don't
Stop the Carnival and Take the Weather With You. Some other albums he features
on are Forever Tams by The Tams, Word of Mouth by Mac
McAnally, More Songs About Cars and Girls by Marty Rudnick and Jazz
Miami by the University of Miami Jazz Concert Band. In what free time he has he is also
a member of Oop Bob Sh'bam, which is a swing group that plays in Fort
Lauderdale, Florida.
Sources:
- http://www.buffettnews.com/bandmember182.html
- http://www.mangosonlasolas.com/oopbopshbam.htm
- http://www.buffettworld.com/band.html
- http://shopping.yahoo.com/p:John%20Lovell:1927151280
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