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Trumpets

Selmer (Modified) - Gary Dammer

Paris, France
Western Europe

Brass
@ 1954


This Henri Selmer Trumpet, was owned and played by veteran St. Louis trumpeter and Band Leader Gary Dammer, who purchased it from Hunleth Music Company in 1954. He played the horn for about 10 years and when he took the horn in for an overhaul, he decided to have the horn cut and two fittings made, with one of them being the bell “bent up.” Gary explains, “At that time several name trumpet players were playing trumpets that had the bells bent up, notable, ‘Dizzy Gillespie,’ who started the fad.” Gary Dammer has been playing in and around the St. Louis area since his high school days with the Beaumont High “Melody Makers” under the leadership of teacher John Young. In 1954 Gary enlisted in the Air National Guard as a member of the 571st Air Force Band. He served as Leader of the stage/jazz band and as acting commander. He retired in 1996 as Senior Master Sergeant, after 42 years of service. While a member of the guard band he did a tour with the “Airman of Note” the premier jazz band of the U.S. Air Force. He has also toured with the “Shades of Blue Jazz Ensemble” from Scott A.F. Base, Il. In 1956 Gary Dammer formed his first “Big Band.” The idea was to have a “Kicks” band, but soon the band was playing dances and concerts throughout the St. Louis area. Even today, Gary is best known for his long-running big bands, the Gary Dammer Sextet / Quartet / Orchestra, seen all around town. His 2003 CD release: “A Time for Love” [Gary Dammer Sextet – I-70 Jazz Connection, Return Visit) conveys the straight-ahead swing style, a hallmark and quality of the Gary Dammer performance. Mr. Dammer has played with the name bands of Richard Maltby, Les Elgart, Vaughn Monroe, Guy Lombardo, Buddy Morrow, Stan Kenton, the Glen Miller Orchestra and Tex Beneke. He has also played for and worked with people like Nancy Wilson, Patty Page, Marilyn Maye, Ella Fitzgerald, Carmen Bradford, Bob Hope, Buddy Greco, Wayne Newton, the Mills Brothers, Henry Mancini and many more. Locally, when he’s not leading one of the Gary Dammer Big Bands, he has played with Russ David, Buddy Moreno, Bob Kuban etc.

 

Owner:
Catalog#: HWMC