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Grassroots Band Plays Old-Time Hits
Posted Jan 19, 2007 by Jamie Pilarczyk
Updated Jan 19, 2007 at 01:16 PM
By HAROLD VALENTINE
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Tampa Community Band member Larry Witt was first to show up for Wednesday night’s practice at the Kate Jackson Community Recreation Center. The band practices there almost every Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m.
While prepping his large, chrome tuba, Witt, 59, who has lived in South Tampa for nearly 49 years, said he has played the instrument since seventh-grade.
“Well, that’s not old at all, is it?” said fellow band member Jerry Krumbholz, who was the second band member, a clarinetist, to arrive. “It’s how you feel!”
Both men have been playing in the band since its inception in 1988. They are but two of the nearly 50 musicians who are members.
“Mr. Ed’s grassroots organization,” said Witt, referring to the trombonist who started the band, Ed Solomon.
And some members of the grassroots organization, like 76-year-old Citrus Park optometrist Krumbholz’s, are skilled beyond their years of playing. He didn’t pick up the clarinet until age 65.
Solomon said the band serves two purposes, to further music skills and to simply have fun.
“It’s an activity to spend on Wednesday nights,” he said, “and keep the wife happy because you’re out of the house.”
Hits from Frank Sinatra, The Beatles, Benny Goodman, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Ray Charles are played at their free concerts. Some of Solomon’s band mates, like Witt, have suggested that the group is too grassroots. Witt suggested that, if nothing else, perhaps they could make recordings of performances and sell them.
But Solomon shuns the idea.
“I’m weary of budgets,” he said, “because once you start that you have to make reports and fill out forms.”
In terms of money for the band, Solomon only cares about getting the group’s volunteer director of nearly seven years, Jahn Van De Putte, a $50 honorarium per performance. Solomon said venues hosting the performance, usually retirement homes, churches and sometimes the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer and Research Institute, sponsors that money.
“God’s got a special place in heaven for Jahn,” Solomon said, adding most other directors wouldn’t have the patience and dedication Van De Putte gives to the group.
During the band’s last practice, Van De Putte, a St. Petersbrug resident and father of five, cracked a few jokes, including, “What did Kenny G. say will riding down an elevator? Man, this place rocks!”
In describing how the band formed, Solomon was fascinated how one person - anyone, including himself - could create a tangible entity. He said all it takes is one person to tend to a group’s common interest, which takes only a few hours a week.
He said he has another group that meets once a week at Perkins Restaurant and Bakery, 612 N. Dale Mabry Highway, called the Musician’s Fellowship. With a wry grin he said it’s also known as The Old Bastard’s Group, which talks about music and doctors, and sports nearly 50 elderly regulars.
As for the community band, Solomon said it also attracts a handful of young people.
“Where do football players go after high school?” Solomon asked. “Most don’t play football. And marching band members, where do they go? I figured out football players get hired by insurance companies, and we have a place here for high school musicians.”
Solomon said the power of music bridges the age gap of members, ranging from teenagers to those in their 90s.
As the band started practicing without him – there are currently 42 players while nearly 25 practices at any give Wednesday night – Solomon headed toward the band.
“Oh yeah,” he said. “Don’t forget to add we’re looking for a drummer. I guess some bands have trouble keeping a drummer because all the gear they have to lug.”
For more information about the band, call Solomon at 289-1292.
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