Canadian Brass - FEATURE STORY

Ron Romm: Superb Canadian Brass Trumpeter

By Ulla Colgrass, 1999

Ron Romm has had a love affair with music his entire life. His virtuoso trumpet playing and understanding of practically all musical styles made him a natural for The Canadian Brass when he joined in 1971. Ron is one of three CB veterans — the others being Gene Watts (trombone) and Chuck Daellenbach (tuba). This popular group, which has upped the ante for all brass quintets, is completed by Jens Lindemann (trumpet) and Chris Cooper (French horn).

Ron looks at The Canadian Brass’ upcoming 30th anniversary season with a sense of wonder. He has kept an almost childlike enthusiasm for music making, life on the road and life in general. He describes himself as "the same child I've always been, just with less hair.”

"I was in New York living a hectic free-lance life when I got a call from Canada. The idea of joining The Canadian Brass suited my temperament from the beginning. It has always been my way to be part of things, to help generate the energy. The group had some radical ideas from the beginning. They suited Ron, who enjoys the trademark stage presentation that uses music, acting and humorous banter. The music spans from J.S. Bach to Ellington, Dixieland and pop to new concert music — all of it played in authentic style, reaching for the finest performance."

"I was ready for the job. I come from a musical family in California. My mother was a classically trained clarinetist who also played the saxophone, and my father was a swing-time drummer. With my sister on piano, we formed a dance band called The Romm-Antics. I began on the trumpet when I was nine and heard all styles of music at home, from opera to early swing and rock'n'roll. People said, "You have to choose between classical and jazz. You can't play all styles." Well, isn't music just music? Why can't we play all styles? So all styles it was for Ron. He excelled on the trumpet and played with the Los Angeles Philharmonic while still a student at the University of Southern California. He went on to get two degrees from The Juilliard School of Music in New York while free-lancing on Broadway, Radio City Music Hall and on the classical circuit."

"The trumpet is like my voice. I don’t just play the music, but I become the music. Jens, my colleague on the trumpet, and I are in sync on that approach to playing."

"We all have our roles in The Canadian Brass. Most important for everybody is to be able to play all styles of music. The inspiration and ideas come mostly from Gene and Chuck, though I have contributed a little here and there. As we began to do more concerts and touring, I took up the mantle of coordinating the technical side, the lighting, sound crews, working with sponsors and doing the work on site."

Ron is also an avid pilot. Though he has flown every member of The Canadian Brass in his Trinidad single engine aircraft, he does not pilot the group on tour. He says that flying to airline standards is a full time job, and so is playing concerts. He can't do both, but just talking about flying brings out the smile that always seems to lurk in his eyes."

Ron has a gentle, introspective take on life. He will typically remark to a student: "If you don't do something very well at once, there will always be a next time. Remember, everything passes and everything changes." His laid-back attitude probably comes from his California childhood or the fact that he, like all Canadian Brass members, meditates every day.

"Meditating helps the group to be on the same wavelength. It allows us to grow musically and it relieves stress. Now everybody in my family meditates, though the kids tend not to do it unless they are really stressed out. It should be taught in schools because it helps us to get along with other people. Ron's family consists of his wife Avis Fedge, a pianist, and two teenage sons, Orlan and Aaron. They divide their time between a house in Sarasota, Florida, and a condo in Toronto. Aaron, the younger son, plays trumpet, keyboards, and most recently percussion. Orlan plays soccer. Ron smiles at the suggestions that there must be some link between sports and music, because so many musicians love sports."

"There is a sense of timing and your own body rhythm that is inherent in both sports and music. It's an affinity for playing — the same thing as flying an airplane and playing music on stage. You are multi-tasking with a high level of awareness. A lot of brass players have emulated The Canadian Brass, and audiences continue to grow — the ultimate compliments. Much of the group's favorite music is published by Hal Leonard and the 50-some CDs by The Canadian Brass are spread over several labels. The best known CB works are often required repertoire at brass competitions around the world."

"We now have audiences that grew up with us. They feel they know us and come backstage after the shows and say, "I've known you since I was a child." We even have some third generation fans! The enthusiasm for brass has grown remarkably. People are more willing to go concerts than ever before. Audiences have formed fan clubs and some people travel great distances to hear a live Canadian Brass concert. They are not just coming to have a fun time with some seriously well played music, but Ron says they even look for what the CB five are wearing. Tuxes or T-shirts? Tennis shoes with sparkles? The unique home-grown Canadian Brass style has evolved over the years and continues to change. When the group first played in Europe, it created great confusion that they played jazz and classical music in one concert. This concept is now being copied by other groups, even in the most traditional places."

"We see students emulate our style. We encourage them to come and see us and we like to answer their questions in workshops or backstage or on our web page. At some point teaching will become a natural extension for me, but right now I don't want to take time away from performing. It's too exciting!"

"The Canadian Brass is like a family. When you join us, you devote yourself to a life style, not just a job. You end up spending most of your time with your colleagues, more than with your wife and family. We revel in the successes. We look at the difficulties as challenges to overcome. It has been a really amazing life for me. I don’t know what else I could have enjoyed more."

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