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 HERMAN BELL: "A Swinging, Passionate Player and a Friend." When saxophonist and guitarist Herman Bell died on July 30 at the age of 81, he left behind one of the more impressive legacies of those we fondly refer to as Kansas City jazz legends. Herman made friends wherever he went, and he performed on both the local scene and the national stage with equal grace and aplomb. In addition to longtime associations with Kansas City bandleaders Steve Miller and Tony DiPardo, Herman also collaborated with Clark Terry, Jay McShann and Carmell Jones. He even had the opportunity to back the likes of Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan throughout the span of a lively and varied career. Of the many KC musicians who worked with Herman Bell over the years, two volunteered to share their thoughts. First, pianist Paul Smith.
"I was amazed that a) I had never even heard of Herman Bell before then, and b) he played such great tenor! I was stunned. "Not long after that I asked Herman to come and perform with my jazz band at the school I where was teaching (Pittman Hills Junior High in Raytown). Herman stole the show. He played tenor and guitar, and it was the first time many of my students had heard a real 'jazz man.' They were delighted. "In 1971 Gary Sivils and I were playing at the Ramada Inn on Noland Road in Independence with bassist Dave Belove and drummer Brooks Wright. If Herman didn't have a late job he would drive out to sit in with us. Pat Metheny, who also worked with us at the Ramada, first heard Herman there. Because of Herman's guitar background and his wonderful approach to playing, he and Pat became instant friends. "It was during that time that Herman, Brooks, Dave and I were hired by a local music contractor to play some dances at different country clubs. Remember, this was the early '70s. Brooks and Dave had shoulder length hair; I looked like a car salesman -- or a game show host -- with my thick, 'styled' hair; and there was Herman, a black man. The sight of us coming in to a country club to set up our equipment always caught the patrons off guard. Comments like 'How could (the contractor) do this to us?' could be heard. But, we would just wink at each other, laugh to ourselves, and begin to play. A collective sigh would then happen after the second or third tune when the dancers realized this was just the type of music they wanted to hear. We've all told that story many times over the years. "Of the many things we all loved about Herman was his habit of playing an outstanding solo, then taking the horn away from his mouth and staring quizzically into the bell. It would break us up every time. He was also a teacher. More than once I would be playing a tune and would feel like I might have missed a chord change or two. If asked, Herman would say, 'Well, why don't you try this...' and proceed to walk me through the area in question. "Herman was one of the nicest people I've ever met -- a swinging, passionate player and a friend. It was an honor to have known this sweet, gentle man. He will be missed." Trombonist Arch Martin also has special memories. "Many years ago, Steve Miller had a weekly Saturday night gig at the Officers Club at Ft. Leavenworth. The band was Julie Turner, Steve, Herman (on guitar and tenor), Gus Moran (bass), Joe Castro (drums) and me. We had a ball. And we all looked forward to it every week. That's when Herman and I really became friends. "Herman got a kick out of calling me 'March Artin.' And he called me that until the last time I saw him. He'd always smile that wonderful smile when he'd see me and say that name. "Herman was raised in St. Louis and grew up with Clark Terry. Most times when Clark would have a clinic or performance in the area he would invite Herman. I remember a time Herman and I drove to Iowa to play with Clark at LeMars University. Clark, Herman and I really had fun, and with many laughs. It was also a ball playing the concert with Clark. Clark used to make Herman and I scat sing... whether we wanted to or not! And believe me, we didn't want to; but we did! "We had another one of those fun gigs with Clark in Topeka in 1985. I think it was a concert for the Topeka Jazz Workshop, with Paul Smith, Bob Branstetter and Tommy Ruskin. When Herman and Clark got together, you knew you were gonna have fun. "A couple of months before Herman passed away, I went to visit him in the hospital. I hadn't seen him for quite a while, and even though he was very ill, that same 'March Artin' -- with a big smile -- came out of him. He was sitting in a chair beside his bed, naturally looking pretty down. I asked him if he could get up. He said, 'Yes, with some help.' So I said, 'Get your butt up and I'll help you walk over to the window.' He told me he was wearing a diaper. I told him I didn't care, and I went ahead and helped him up. "Well, we got over to the window with me holding him up, and his diaper fell to the floor! And we both broke up as I tried to hold him up with one hand and pull the diaper up with the other! "We had a great visit that day, talking about so many fun times. Herman's memory will live in my heart forever." RETURN TO OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2001 MAIN INDEX © Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors 1996-2001. All rights reserved. |
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