In memoriam: John Skinner (1945–2017)

Sacramento-based trumpeter and bandleader John Skinner died Friday, August 18, 2017.

Skinner was born Dec. 1, 1945 in Orland, California. He studied trumpet at Utah State University. He volunteered for service in the Air Force during the Vietnam War, where he flew C-141 Starlifters. He also continued to play trumpet during his military service in bands in Fiji, Japan, Australia, and Hong Kong.

Locally, he is most well known for leading the John Skinner Band, which played a diverse repertoire to audiences in the Sacramento, California, area. An accomplished trumpeter, he led his big band from the trumpet section, and throughout his career performed with such artists as Ray Charles, Donna Summers, The Temptations, The Brady Bunch, and Luciano Pavarotti. He continued playing throughout his life, even as his health declined, most recently playing Louie Armstrong's What a Wonderful World at Carmichael Park on August 6, 2017.

Sources: Brian Evans, President, International Trumpet Guild;
The Sacramento Bee (Read More: http://www.sacbee.com/news/local/article168320117.html)