| Uan Rasey receives ITG Honorary Award | 27 August 2009 | |||||
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On Sunday evening, August 23rd, 2009, some 200 family members and friends gathered to celebrate Uan Rasey’s 88th birthday. At the event, Kevin Eisensmith, ITG Vice President/President elect, presented Rasey with the ITG Honorary Award in recognition of his long and distinguished career. The Honorary Award is ITG’s highest level of recognition; only 21 individuals, including Rasey, have received this award over the 35 years that ITG has existed as an organization. For more information about ITG Awards, please visit http://www.trumpetguild.org/handbook/appendix.html#appendixi. Uan Rasey was born in Glasgow, Montana and moved with his family to California as a child. His teachers included Max Schlossberg, Herbert L. Clarke, and Louis Maggio. Rasey was a top studio trumpet player and recorded for MGM studios from 1949 until 1974. Among his many movie credits are An American in Paris, Singing in the Rain, Gigi, West Side Story, My Fair Lady, and Cleopatra. He is perhaps best known for his solo work in the movie Chinatown. Rasey is also renowned as a teacher. He has numerous pet phrases for his students, including "Roar Softly!" and "Have reverence for every note!" Many top musicians in Los Angeles were present for the festivities. The Wayne Bergeron Big Band, with Bob Summers, Gary Grant, Warren Luening, Rick Baptist, and Deb Wagner-Bergeron, performed two sets. Carl Saunders was the featured soloist.
A ten-minute standing ovation followed Eisensmith’s presentation. Additional recognition came from the RMA Recording Musician's Association and from the Professional Guild of Musicians, which presented Rasey with their own lifetime achievement awards. Louise Baranger read letters from several trumpet players and other musicians who were unable to attend the gathering. Peter Knudsvig read a proclamation declaring August 22nd, 2009 “Uan Rasey Day” in Rasey’s hometown of Glasgow, Montana. The evening ended with a surprise performance by Malcolm McNab followed by a medley of recorded highlights from Rasey’s career interspersed with some of his most common comments made during lessons. Rasey greets most people with a resounding “YO!” This greeting was heard throughout the evening. It is often impossible to identify the performers on movie and television soundtracks. Only recently have the names of musicians begun to appear on some soundtracks and DVDs. It is important to recognize and remember the musicians who have worked in anonymity for so many years. Rasey serves as an inspiration for his playing, teaching, and outlook on life.
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